HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Top-5 defensemen in the Eastern Conference?

Hedman
Jones
Werenski
Provorov
Carlson

John Carlson! Top Five in Norris voting three years in a row, second place last year (arguably should have won it)

VH ... had to do it, still not over losing Eddie..
Jones
Hamilton
Werenski
Pulock

For a minute I forgot Krug wasn’t in Boston anymore. He would have made my list. As it stands, I’d go:

Hedman
Jones
Hamilton
Rielly
Carlson

Hedman
Jones
Werenski
Provorov
Carlson
- Aetherial

Sounds about right ! Any list that not has Carlson in the top 5 is just stupid ! not sold on the fact that Hamilthon should be there

The last 2 years Heddy has developed into the best dman. He does it all.

Hedman
Jones
Werenski
Provorov
Carlson
- Aetherial

Yup.

Any list made without Seth Jones is a list made by a guy who shouldn't be making lists.

Any list made without Seth Jones is a list made by a guy who shouldn't be making lists.
- MrBen

Well said!

I think after Hedman and Jones, there’s a slew of guys you could argue for to fill out the 5. Werenski, Carlson, Chabot, Mcavoy, Provorov, Hamilton, Slavin, Weber, I’m sure I’m missing some. I’m sure we’d all have them in different orders

Macavoy, yea. No

Todd, you really whiffed not having Jones in your top 5.

He's likely top 2 in the league, let alone the East.

It's really difficult to take a list seriously that doesn't include Jones.

Hedman
Jones
Werenski
Provorov
Carlson
- Aetherial

Pretty much with you here.

Yup.
- Scabeh

What do you think about Weber there. I had him as a toss-up with Provorov. My list was not in order as I forgot about Carlson almost.

No way NOW Weber in top 5. Before injuries YES but now no. Top 10 sure. TOP 3 Have to be Hedman, Carlson, and Jones. After that a crap shoot. Provorov would’ve been up there if it wasn’t for a little regression past year. From what I’ve seen (just my opinion) he is good when complemented by a partner that fits his style of play.

No way NOW Weber in top 5. Before injuries YES but now no. Top 10 sure. TOP 3 Have to be Hedman, Carlson, and Jones. After that a crap shoot. Provorov would’ve been up there if it wasn’t for a little regression past year. From what I’ve seen (just my opinion) he is good when complemented by a partner that fits his style of play.
- firelarry

As silly as it may sound, I think his contract expiring/negotiations had more to do with his play than his partner. Don't get me wrong Nisky was a great partner and he will be missed, but we will see how Provy does without him.

Past 6 years

2015 - Hedman healthy - Stanley Cup loser
2016 - Hedman healthy - ECF game 7 loss
2017 - Hedman healthy - too many injuries team misses playoffs by 1 point but he puts up 72 points to try and sneak in to playoffs
2018 - Hedman healthy - ECF game 7 loss
2019 - Hedman concussed - should have never played in playoffs, Lightning swept
2020 - Hedman healthy - Stanley Cup Winner

The correlation here is that the Lightning go as Hedman goes. He does it all, his gap work and stick work in the defensive zone are just better then everyone else. Throw in the offense and superior skating and he is the best defender in the game.

1. Victor Hedman
2. Seth Jones
3. Dougie Hamilton
4. Provorov
5. Carlson/Werenski (both these guys to me are more point guys then overall defenders but can't deny what they do bring)

Past 6 years

2015 - Hedman healthy - Stanley Cup loser
2016 - Hedman healthy - ECF game 7 loss
2017 - Hedman healthy - too many injuries team misses playoffs by 1 point but he puts up 72 points to try and sneak in to playoffs
2018 - Hedman healthy - ECF game 7 loss
2019 - Hedman concussed - should have never played in playoffs, Lightning swept
2020 - Hedman healthy - Stanley Cup Winner

The correlation here is that the Lightning go as Hedman goes. He does it all, his gap work and stick work in the defensive zone are just better then everyone else. Throw in the offense and superior skating and he is the best defender in the game.

1. Victor Hedman
2. Seth Jones
3. Dougie Hamilton
4. Provorov
5. Carlson/Werenski (both these guys to me are more point guys then overall defenders but can't deny what they do bring)
- stammerman

2015 Heddy and Bishop skate into each other vs Chicago , series flipped on a dime
2018 Heddy soft in corners, Caps make plays constantly
Just joshing. 2020 he has come into his own. A little meanness to go along with the rest of the package...he is now the best. He’s 30 he’s got several years of greatness still.

Hedman and Jones are one/two by a mile.
The rest? Either still young, unproven or too inconsistent or injury prone

Todd, you really whiffed not having Jones in your top 5.

He's likely top 2 in the league, let alone the East.

It's really difficult to take a list seriously that doesn't include Jones.
- golfingsince

Agreed. No clue how Jones was overlooked. Not that it really matters in any guys personal ranking. Jones or Josi are the #2 best D in this league. So:

Hedman
Jones
Carlson
Hamilton
Reilly/Proverov

Todd, you really whiffed not having Jones in your top 5.

He's likely top 2 in the league, let alone the East.

It's really difficult to take a list seriously that doesn't include Jones.
- golfingsince

for real, but no one takes Todd seriously.