Defensively, his awareness is only 69 while his shot blocking and stick checking are 72. Your first click here will rank He leads the Panthers since 2020-21 in short-handed ice time per contest (2:46), while his 22:15 of time on ice per game ranks behind only Ekblad. The primary role of NHL defensemen is to prevent their opponents from scoring. Martin Fehervary just turned 26 on 6 October, but in NHL 22, he is still listed as 21, so he makes an appearance here. Second question - CHEL menu UI is different but an improvement. Others, like the Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar, excel on the attack. He might not be posting 70- or 80-point seasons anymore, but Erik If not, oh well youve got to ice a full lineup. among Canucks regular-season scorers and third with 16 points in postseason scoring. The list of defenders in NHL history with two Norris Trophies and a Conn Smythe Trophy includes only Bobby Orr, Larry Robinson, Brian Leetch, Nicklas Lidstrom But there is one stat he scrutinizes: How much they play, and how good they are after playing a ton of minutes. I once asked Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom how he evaluates other defensemen. Remember how that looked: Nashville was a borderline playoff team and Ekholm looked like one of the most-cost effective adds out there a player earning $3.75 million in the next-to-last year of a six-year, $22.5 million contract hed signed with the Predators, a deal that was proving to be a massive bargain. A skilled, young defenseman with considerable offensive ability, Quinn Hughes' 53-point performance in 2019-20 made him a finalist for theCalder Memorial Trophy. The 23-year-old McAvoy rose in just four seasons to become the Bruins' top defenseman. When it comes to gameplay, nothing groundbreaking. Your email address will not be published. Try a week on us. He's their overall leader since 2016-17 in time on ice per game (24:09), short-handed ice time (2:48) and blocked shots with 722. by He led all rookies in points,finished fourthamong Canucks regular-season scorers and third with 16 points in postseason scoring. What metrics best define value for scoring defensemen or "defensive" defensemen? Now 31, Carlson continues to produce at a high level, tallying 44 points in 52 contests last season. Quinn Hughes, VAN12. This list has the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. 1 on 14 of the 20 ballots. Awareness, 95 Wrist Shot Accuracy, 96 Deking, 96 Puck Control, 96 Off. Bahls non-balance skate skills all fall below 80, albeit only slightly. Where he does lack as evidenced by the sub-80 rating is in faceoffs, where he has a career 44.8 win percentage, though he won a career-high 49.53 in 2020-21. That shouldve already been clear. That's the first time he was below 40 points in a season since 2014-15. Since last season, Fox has averaged a team-leading 24:43 of ice time. Ryan Graves, NJD48. Awareness and Balance by 3 and 5. Age: 26Rating: 93Position: Center/Right WingType: PlaymakerTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 95 Acceleration, 94 Hand-Eye, 94 Offensive Awareness. Acquired from the Islanders last October, Toews meshed quickly with Makar. Signed in July by the Oilers to athree-year contract, Barrie's production should remain among the league's best. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season, becoming the only sophomore other than Hall of Famer Bobby Orr to take home that honor. Last season with the Hershey Bears, Fehervary had 14 assists and three goals across 24 games. This I's a trick alot of people don't no and I dont like telling lol but if u hold out poke check with r1 and u press in r3 u get an added poke. His top rating of 93 is also present in deking, passing, puck control, and offensive awareness, while he has a solid shot with both power ratings at 88 and both accuracies at 86. It didn't take Cale Makar long to secure his spot among the NHL's top stars. He had a team-leading 4:11 of power-play ice time per game, tied for most takeaways with 32 and finished second in average ice time (24:19) per contest. "That means you're playing all the power-play minutes but also have to have the ability to play against the opponents' top lines. Alex Pietrangelo, VGK33. 0.92 PPG. He had five game-winning goals and two in overtime. Nashville, who are in rebuild mode now, gets a strong prospect, a first-round pick and capitalized on Ekholm while he has great value, and Edmonton gets a key piece it needs for the next few playoff runs. among NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. The 2013 first overall draft pick and Calder Memorial Trophy winner had 45 assists and 20 goals in 48 games during the 2020-21 season. WebMost valuable options at position for standard leagues; new podcast episodes. Traits and Specialties will make or break a build NHL 21's online modes. The East is an arms race, sure, but theres a whole other side of the playoff bracket. In just two seasons, Adam Fox has joined the ranks of the NHL's elite defensemen. In 20 I used a 59 186 Sniper so I could still pose a threat offensively and be big enough to knock most builds off the puck, this year it doesnt stand a chance Im curious to find a versatile build appreciate anyone who responds NHL 21 Hockey video game Sports video game Gaming . This page will look at the best young up-and-coming defensive defensemen in NHL 22, with names like Predators retain four percent of Ekholm remaining cap hit/salary, Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023. Shore up his physical ratings and he could be the best player in NHL 22 for your team. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, John Klingberg wasted little time establishing himself among the NHL's scoring defensemen, tallying 40 points in 65 games in 2014-15. Like his counterpart from Edmonton, MacKinnon excels in every aspect of the game. Defensemen are relied upon to patrol the blue line where they'll likely be taking most of their shots, and slap shots are most effective from that range. They are listed by left and right defense. Mattias Ekholm, EDM (NEW)38. The 24-year-old Flyers rearguard reached or exceeded 26 points in each of his five previous NHL campaigns. Eight of his goals and 17 of his assists were on the power play. Sometimes, it can be that simple. Adam Larsson, SEA39. He led all blueliners in scoring last seasonwith 48 points. These perks can be used to either round out weaknesses in a build or highlighta build's strengths. The 23-year-olds will be crucial to the club's push for a playoff berth this season. The 27-year-old all-around rearguard led the club in time on ice per game (24:46); tied with Makar and Mikko Rantanen for most takeaways with 32; finished second in short-handed ice time per game (3:06) and blocked shots (87); and was third in scoring among Avs defensemen with a career-best 31 points. Fehervary is already a solid all-around player. Thats a down-the-road problem for a team currently out of the playoff picture. 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If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. Darnell Nurse, EDM35. Mike Matheson, MTL44. Makar's point totals would have been higher if not for injuries. 1 earned 10 points, No. Using this list, you should be able to find some quality young talent around which to build your defense for years to come. For forwards, the search parameters were having a minimum of 91 in speed and acceleration with an 87 in agility. For now, their priority was obvious they needed someone to strengthen their overall defensive play in front of goaltenders Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner. However, his output fell to just 27 points in 56 games last season, the lowest since his 12-point performance in 2007-08. Shawn enjoys discovering engaging stories, whether they be from movies, video games, books, or any other form in which they may be told. In just three seasons, the 22-year-old Heiskanen blossomed into the Stars' best all-around defenseman. This perk will increase the player's Stick Checking, Def. However, even with that poise, his faceoffs are only a 77. The 30-year-old Barrie's offensive skills put him seventhamong NHL defensemensince 2013-14 with 381 career points. He leadsall their skaters in time on ice per game (22:52) and total blocked shots(395) over his four-plus seasons. Miro Heiskanen, DAL16. Since 2014-15, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the NHL's top franchise. But Hedman wasnt the only While younger defensemen like the New York Rangers' Adam Fox and Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar are on the rise, Hedman's consistency makes him the league's best offensive blueliner. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy and Slap Shot Accuracy by 4 and 3 points. Amid a breakout season with the Flyers He has also worked as a ghostwriter, but by definition, he can't prove it. He controls play in his own zone as a defensive stopper. All in the family: how three generations of Jaquezes have ruled West Coast basketball. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. This perk will increase the player's Off. Miro Heiskanen is only 21-years-old but has already made a big impact in the NHL as an integral defenseman for the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Final run in 2020. He is good in the skating and physical departments (mostly) with an 85 in durability and balance, 84 in strength, 81 in acceleration and speed, and 80 in agility. He also has an 89 in hand-eye, puck control, and slap shot power with the other three shooting ratings at 88. First, goals allowed is the big one. While his discipline is fine at 80, his offensive awareness is 77 and his poise a meager 70. The question, as always, is whether each end of the deal justifies its reason for being. Nevertheless, he. The first version of this perk will reduce the player's Passing and Body Checking by 4 and 3 points, and, while the first version reduces fewer attributes, they are the more important attributes for a defenseman. Johnny Gaudreau is fast with a 93 in acceleration, agility, and speed, but he is more than just a blur. Awareness by 4 and 3 points. Unlike Burns and Karlsson, his point-per-game (0.83) over the. As a sophomore, he tallied 44 points in as many games,leading the clubin power-play ice time per game (4:11) while finishing second with an average ice time per game of 24:19. His aggressiveness is only an 81 and body checking is only an 80, but he does have good endurance (87), durability (85), and strength (84), helping to account for the lower ratings. Injuries and a shortened schedule limited him to 32 points in 2019-20, but he netted 36 points in 53 games the following season. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were the Dallas Stars' best defense pairing prior to this season. WebWho are the top defensemen in NHL 21. Corey Pronman: Ekholm is a legit high-in-the-lineup NHL defenseman. His offensive awareness is a staggering 98, but he also has a 92 in defensive awareness. Stick 'Em Up will allow the user to make defensive plays with their stick and intercept passes much more effectively. Individual awards, experience and performance were among the items that factored into this ranking. Awareness boost also helps the user pick up loose pucks after a blocked shot. Drew Doughty, LAK22. Press J to jump to the feed. It will also decrease the player's Agility by 3 points. McDavid ended the 2020-21 season with 72 assists and 33 goals in 56 games for 105 points, his fourth season of 100+ points. Where he could use improvement are his senses and puck skills. Where he could improve is on the defensive end, particularly since he plays a defensive position. Also like Gaudreau, he excels in other areas. And they did this by giving up a decent prospect in Reid Schafer plus a first- and a fourth-round draft choice. His best skills outside of his speed are with the puck as he has a 94 in hand-eye and a 93 in deking, passing, and puck control. Fast forward two years, and Seelers reputation and status around the league has changed dramatically. Montgomery did not appear for the London Knights last season, but during 2019-2020, he had two assists in 33 games. In just three seasons, the 22-year-old Heiskanen blossomed into the Stars' best all-around defenseman. They have the best all-around defenseman in hockey in Victor Hedman, so that is always a big plus in giving your blue line an edge. Playing a major role in those accomplishments was Victor Hedman, whofinished tied for thirdamong NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. Four were game-winning though none were in overtime. 2022-23 Mayfield 2022-23 Pulock 2022-23 Forsling 2022-23 Staal 2022 in power-play ice time per game (4:11) while finishing second with an average ice time per game of 24:19. He can improve his 76 in aggressiveness and body checking, and his 73 in endurance should be targeted quickly. He led them in short-handed ice time per game (2:35), was second in average ice time (23:47) per game andblocked shots with 534, and he was fifth with 167 points. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. On a team that has superstar I've made the case that the Lightning defenseman could be the best all-around hockey player in the world. A gifted puck-handler who uses his skills well at both ends of the ice, the 23-year-old netted 44 points in as many games last season. They won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, reached the Cup Final in 2015 and won the 2019 Presidents' Trophy with a, . After ranking the wingers last week, here are the positional rankings for defensemen for the 2020-21 season, according to those in the NHL we surveyed. Someone every team would love to have. Unlike Burns and Karlsson, his point-per-game (0.83) over thepast two seasonsremains among the top 10, sitting fourth overall. The Colorado Avalanche began this season with Devon Toews sidelined by offseason shoulder surgery. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad8882951d244e308d463714f1cc5337" );document.getElementById("b90191b810").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A skilled, young defenseman with considerable offensive ability, Quinn Hughes' 53-point performance in 2019-20 made him a finalist for the. Since 2013-14, he's come into his own as an offensive blueliner. Two more had him Grzelcyk may be small for an NHL defenseman at 5'9" and 178 pounds, but he possesses good puck-moving skills. Is Evan Bouchard the PP1 guy now, or does Ekholm run the top group? Your email address will not be published. For the former, he had nine assists and seven goals in 32 games, and for the latter, he had 23 assists and four goals in 29 games. Awareness while on the penalty kill. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Still, his point-per-game percentage over the. Barrie is a necessary piece going the other way. Whether you are rebuilding or retooling, finding your defensive stalwart of the future only bodes well for your franchise. Jett Woo, former second round pick of Vancouver, finds himself atop this list thanks to his Top 4 D Med potential grade. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR, John Carlson, WSHZach Werenski, CBJ (out for season). But the poke check is back and actually useful/pretty balanced. Fox is the better known of the two. The season before with Cushing Academy, a prep school, he had seven assists in 33 games. His 0.67 points-per-game average is second to Erik Karlsson (0.79)during that period. Speed, as they say, kills. His puck-moving abilities and offensive instincts make him among the league's top rearguards. Roman Josi, NSH8. Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche. Paired together since 2019-20, they've swiftly emerged among the league's best blue-line tandems. Getting help on the blue line and more specifically getting the right kind of help leaps the Oilers near the front of the Pacific Division line, where only a handful of points separate the top five teams. His performance earned him an eight-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $9.5 million. The Philadelphia Flyers missed the 2021 NHL playoffs due in part to the lack of a solid right-side defenseman to partner with Ivan Provorov on their top pairing. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. He has great offensive skills and instincts, but hes an undersized one-way defenseman who doesnt defend that well. WebThe best defence is a good offence. For defensemen, they'll want their build to have perks that help them break up plays with their stick, make good hits, and make quick breakout passes out of their zone. Mmmm that Yotes Avs series is still too fresh for me to agree there, It's that weird thing teams outside of california do. Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is among the NHL's best defensemen. Required fields are marked *. Theyre a better team now than they were a couple hours ago. Sometimes a duo that works well together can be split up to address weaknesses elsewhere on the blue line. Over 10 NHL seasons, Tyson Barrie has proved himself as a reliable point-producing defenseman. He does have good defensive ratings otherwise with an 87 in stick checking and 85 in awareness, which may help mitigate his lower rating in shot blocking. Yes, he has a big contract that goes for a while and hes up there in age, but McDavid doesnt care, its about winning right now in Edmonton. This perk will apply to poke checks, but not for the ability to intercept passes with their stick. Stretch passes are long passes from the defensive zone into the neutral zone. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Under The Radar Players To Acquire In Franchise Mode. However, it's not unusual for there to be two swift-skating defenders who can also generate offense or two defensive-minded rearguards who can neutralize an opponent's top scorers. The Lead Editor at OG, Bruce has been an avid gamer since childhood, owning the NES, SNES, N64, PS one, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, DS, 3DS, and Switch throughout his life. Awareness, 95 Wrist Shot Accuracy. Log in here. While injuries limited Matt Grzelcyk to 37 games last season, he wound up seeing more playing time with McAvoy than any other Bruins blueliner. Standard fantasy categories include goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and hits for skaters. That includes tallying 68 points in 2017-18, 70 points in 2018-19 and 75 points in 2019-20. Theyre blowing things up. His production from the blue line during the 2018 playoffs played a crucial role in their march to the 2018 Stanley Cup, A model of consistency, the 6'3", 215-pound Carlson has reached or exceeded 32 points in 10 of his 12 NHL seasons. While his durability of 85 is fine, his other physical skills need improvement if he is going to make an impact. His awareness is only a 77, and both shot blocking and stick checking are 80. The play of top-pairing defensemen Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock has been a significant contributing factor in the club's early success. The Lead Editor at OG, Bruce has been an avid gamer since childhood, owning the NES, SNES, N64, PS one, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, DS, 3DS, and Switch throughout his life. He is a tall, mobile, intelligent defender who provides value at both ends of the ice. While Kukkonen does have good durability (85) and shot power (82 for both), he is a prospect in every sense of the word in that he needs plenty of time to develop. Team: New Jersey DevilsAge: 21Position: Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: LeftContract: $0.795M, 2 Years Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 87 Slap Shot Power, 85 Balance, 85 Durability. He has a 93 in deking, passing, and puck control, though his hand-eye is lacking a bit (but still good) at 86.