HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Top-5 Defensemen In The NHL?

JJ putting in a hawks player is the biggest shocker of the summer

OEL = LIFE

I'd go with

1. Drew Doughty
2. victor Hedman
3. Kris Letang
4. Duncan Keith
5. last, Ekblad.

I don't think Ekblad actually does break the top 5 yet, but he certaily will going forward.

JJ putting in a hawks player is the biggest shocker of the summer
- bulet13

'I know eh, Duncan Keith just sucks.

Of course... Subban is on everyone's list now.

I don't disagree with him being there though. But you can make a case for alot of players to be in the top 5 or top 10.

IMHO:

1: Karlsson
2: Hedman
3: OEL
4: Subban
5: Weber

No surprise here than Keith only makes one list.

And yes, Tanner, it is an opinion.

Edit: "Here is a list of players you could reasonable trade 1 for 1 for PK Subban: Erik Karlsson, OEL, Victor Hedman. The end. "

So Tanner, you wouldn't trade Subban for Connor McDavid?

Of course... Subban is on everyone's list now.

I don't disagree with him being there though. But you can make a case for alot of players to be in the top 5 or top 10.

IMHO:

1: Karlsson
2: Hedman
3: OEL
4: Subban
5: Weber
- Scabeh

subban is probably borderline top 5. Somewhere in the 5 to range. Once you get past Doughty and Keith, maybe Hedman too, there are 5 to 8 dmen that could go in the next few spots.

'I know eh, Duncan Keith just sucks.
- prock

It's not that he sucks so much as him being the only one of four to list him, and saying that he's either the best or second best in the league. He's still a great defenseman, but I personally wouldn't say he's a top-2.

subban is probably borderline top 5. Somewhere in the 5 to range. Once you get past Doughty and Keith, maybe Hedman too, there are 5 to 8 dmen that could go in the next few spots.
- prock

I completely agree about there being plenty of guys you can make a case for.

I bet a year ago Subban wouldn't have made any of these guys' lists?? He'd still be a selfish, defensive liability who couldn't crack Team Canada. Funny how this all changed all of a sudden?? Hmmm.....wonder why???

1.Subban
2.PK
3.76
4.Pernell Karl
5.The Subbanator
There. What do I win?

tanner no gardiner from the leafs? no franson?

Surprised at the lack of love for Letang on these list. Not surprised he was left off of most of the lists since his injury history has made him one of the most under the radar elite players in the league, but I'm surprised he he was left off of every single one and didn't even get an honorable mention from a stats guy like Tanner.

In the second half of the season last year, which is when the shackles of Mike Johnston were lifted off the team, he actually outproduced Karlsson while putting up Doughty like underlying numbers. I think that's worthy of consideration, especially if people are throwing in Burns into the consideration. Both are offensive defensemen who aren't defensive liabilities and play with an edge. Even though Burns is leagues ahead of Letang as a PPQB (he's probably top 2 in the entire league), Letang is quietly elite on the defensive side of the puck if he continues to play like he did last season as well, so I'll take Kris.

Hopefully Letang stays healthy this season and get on some of these lists next offseason.

Cody Franson

It's not that he sucks so much as him being the only one of four to list him, and saying that he's either the best or second best in the league. He's still a great defenseman, but I personally wouldn't say he's a top-2.
- jmatchett383

Well this is the thing. he didn't have a great year. Last year, he made a case for being number 1. I guess the question is, is his off year due to him being 33 years old, or was it just an off year. Because if it's because he's 33, he might not be top 5 going forward. If it was just an off year, then he's a lead pipe cinch top 5.

My feeling is that his level of physical fitness will see him have a year or two more as one of the best in the league.

But I can also understand why some might leave him off.

That list is pretty solid. I would even consider Ekblad up there, maybe not top 5, but top 7.
- PtotheY

Big fan of Ekblad, I see him as being close to it as well.

Weber, Scabeh? What is this, 2010...?

For me it's:

Karlsson
Hedman
OEL
Keith
Doughty

Honourable mentions to Burns, Subban, Ekblad & Lindholm

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Top-5 Defensemen In The NHL?
- ToddCordellVAN

1. Karlsson
2. Brent Burns
3. Doughty
4. Subban
5. Ekblad

Surprised at the lack of love for Letang on these list. Not surprised he was left off of most of the lists since his injury history has made him one of the most under the radar elite players in the league, but I'm surprised he he was left off of every single one and didn't even get an honorable mention from a stats guy like Tanner.

In the second half of the season last year, which is when the shackles of Mike Johnston were lifted off the team, he actually outproduced Karlsson while putting up Doughty like underlying numbers. I think that's worthy of consideration, especially if people are throwing in Burns into the consideration. Both are offensive defensemen who aren't defensive liabilities and play with an edge. Even though Burns is leagues ahead of Letang as a PPQB (he's probably top 2 in the entire league), Letang is quietly elite on the defensive side of the puck if he continues to play like he did last season as well, so I'll take Kris.

Hopefully Letang stays healthy this season and get on some of these lists next offseason.
- Victoro311

Completely agree, Letang is one of the best out there. Him being on someone's top 5 list wouldn't be shocking at all.

I'd go with

1. Drew Doughty
2. victor Hedman
3. Kris Letang
4. Duncan Keith
5. last, Ekblad.

I don't think Ekblad actually does break the top 5 yet, but he certaily will going forward.
- prock

No Karlsson? You must be in complete denial. He's a league ahead of all other Ds.

I bet a year ago Subban wouldn't have made any of these guys' lists?? He'd still be a selfish, defensive liability who couldn't crack Team Canada. Funny how this all changed all of a sudden?? Hmmm.....wonder why???
- Snots33_77

Only people who praise Pk over Weber are analytics nerds, online bloggers and fans, and the media. Too bad most NHL coaches, GM's, and players would take Weber on their team. But hey I'll listen to a bunch of armchair experts that look at a graph.

Weber, Scabeh? What is this, 2010...?

For me it's:

Karlsson
Hedman
OEL
Keith
Doughty

Honourable mentions to Burns, Subban, Ekblad & Lindholm
- lumlums

First of all, I deeply hate you more every day my friend.

Secondly, I stand by my opinion but completely understand people disagreeing...

These things become so predictable

Tanner leaves off Doughty, Jason Lewis has him at 2.

How could this possibly be, from 2 stat guys. Do you not get the same iron clad info? Or is there clearly, bias/eye test that you two would blast others for?

no gardiner from Tamsy?