Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove we share our rankings for the top-5 defensemen in the NHL right now.
Todd Cordell
1. Erik Karlsson - Nobody can contribute offensively like he does and his defensive game is a lot better than he is given credit for. He's a dynamic skater, an elite possession driver and he can single handedly win games. Not many blue liners can say that.
2. Drew Doughty - He logs ridiculous minutes and consistently gets it done at both ends of the rink.
3. Duncan Keith - He plays a ton and never seems to tire. Excellent passer and incredibly smart.
4. P.K. Subban - One of the few game breakers on the back end. He's an excellent skater, has a bomb of a shot and drives possession like there's no tomorrow.
5. Mark Giordano - If he played a full season in 2014-15 he probably would have been the Norris winner. Enough said.
Honorable mention(s): Victor Hedman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Kris Letang.
James Tanner
Hey it's my favorite topic!!
1. Erik Karlsson. He's the best in the way that Mario Lemieux was once the best - no one's in his stratosphere. The best skating, most creative defeneman in hockey also happens to essentially make his team the best in the NHL when he's on the ice.
2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson. OK write this off as a homer pick, but then make a point to watch some Coyotes games on Centre Ice this year. One of the smartest players in hockey, he's like Drew Doughty if Drew Doughty was more of a scorer.
3. Drew Doughty. Speaking of Doughty, he isn't flashy and doesn't put up huge offensive numbers so people underrate him. He's the all-round player so dependable he's somewhat boring.
4.PK Subban. 60 points for a defensemen in a year with no 100 points scorer. Honestly, you could rank him ahead of both Doughty and OEL and I wouldn't object. Plus, in a league beset with off ice problems PK is a 100% class act and a role model for the kids.
PK isn't just a good guy, he's got the charisma of a young Arthur Fonzerelli.
5.Victor Hedman It seemsdumb to say he's only #5 but who do you take off to move him up?
Tim Chiasson
1. Duncan Keith: Keith does it all, including being the most important player for his team on another Stanley Cup victory. People can sound off about Toews being Toews, but without Duncan Keith this team goes nowhere.
2. Erik Karlsson: Karlsson continues to get better and he's already one of the best. That's scary. There is no one better offensively from the blueline than Erik Karlsson in the NHL. The biggest complaint from people on Karlsson is his defensive play. That's nonsense. Go watch the games. He's just fine everywhere.
3. Anton Stralman: Stralman may not light up the scoresheet, but he's invaluable to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He makes Victor Hedman - and everyone else - better. That's nothing new, though. He did the same thing in New York. He doesn't get the flashy attention that other defenders in the league gets because of his lower offensive totals, but this guy is one hell of a defender.
4. P.K. Subban: Subban is dynamic and he's very good at what he does. The only knock on Subban is he's still an immature whiner and diver.
5. Oliver Ekman-Larsson: This guy is great, he just happens to play in a terrible market for a terrible team, so he'll never get the credit he deserves. Positive possession player on the Coyotes? That's not easy to do. OEL blew up for 23 goals last year and I'd be surprised if he doesn't hit 20 again this year. If the Coyotes ever get respectable in the standings then Ekman-Larsson is going to get his due.
John Jaeckel
1. Duncan Keith
Great in either end, incredible puck skills, elite passer, high end speed, off the charts endurance and leadership. Only weaknesses ar point accuracy and lack of ideal size to handle really big forwards. But he is the best there is right now.
2. Shea Weber
An absolute beast and a difference making presence at both ends of the ice.
3. Drew Doughty
Comes closest to Keith as a total package. A leader and a winner.
4. Viktor Hedman
Could be #1 by this time next year. He excels in every area and is able to shut down the league's best offensive players.
5. Mark Giordano
Also, a lot like Keith and Doughty in that he excels at both ends of the ice, while dominating statistically as a defender in his end.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Erik Karlsson, PK Subban, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan Suter, Roman Josi
Recent posts:
Ranking the NHL's top-5 wingers
Ranking the NHL's top-5 centers
2015-16 Stanley Cup Predictions
Will there be any 100 point scorers this season?
Do you like the contract Chicago gave Brent Seabrook?
How many Canadian teams will make the playoffs?
Predicting the Metro Division standings
Predicting the Atlantic Division standings
Predicting the Pacific Division standings
Predicting the Central Division standings
Join the Discussion:
»