From scoring goal scoring to blocking shots, these six defensemen have taken the league to a new level:
6. Adam Fox
The defending Norris Trophy winner has had a tremendous season. Fox has single-handedly carried the Rangers back into playoff contention. The 5’11" defenseman has not only brought offensive ability but a fine defensive game to the Rangers lineup. He has 112 blocks and an average of just over two minutes of short-handed TOI this season. Fox essentially runs the Rangers' power play. He has 28 power-play points and a total of 62 points on the year. Fox averages just over 24 minutes a game and is once again in contention for the Norris Trophy.
5. Charlie McAvoy
After the departure of Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara, McAvoy has excelled to be Boston’s number one defenseman. This season, he has brought his game to another level. He already has a new career-high of 40 points. McAvoy is a player that can be used in all situations; he head mans Boston’s number one PP unit (3:01 PP TOI) and is a frequent penalty killer (2:06 TOI). So far this season, he leads the Bruins defenders in ice time with an average of 24:37 minutes a night. The Long Island native also brings a feisty hard-hitting game. He has 50 penalty minutes along with 117 hits and 95 blocks. McAvoy’s an all-around two-way futuristic puck-moving defenseman.
4. Victor Hedman
The long-legged Swede just won his second straight Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he hopes to make it three in a row after this season. Hedman continues to play as an offensive, yet shutdown, defenseman. He already has 61 points in 61 games, for an average of one point per game. The 31-year-old plays both on the power play and penalty kill; he averages 25+ minutes per game. Although, with his size, Hedman is not as physical as other d-men on this list, although he does have a +13 rating. Will Tampa Bay make it a three-peat?
3. Aaron Ekblad
No, the chances of Ekblad winning the Norris is close to nothing due to his recent season-ending injury. But, this doesn’t take away from his career-best season. The former first overall pick has led his Panthers team to first place in the Atlantic Division. He is fifth in defensive scoring, with 57 points in 61 games while playing just over 24 minutes per night. Ekblad’s most impressive statistic has to be his +38 statistic. He is a very smart, calm, puck-moving defenseman. This is supported by his low 26 PIMs and 34 even-strength points. Although out for the remainder of the season, Ekblad’s play has been noticed around the league.
2. Roman Josi
The Swiss-born forward has been tearing the league apart this season. He leads all d-men in points with 75 in 60 games. His 17 goals are a new career-high as he continues to battle for a playoff spot with the Nashville Predators. Josi commands Nashville’s power play; he has 29 of his points on the PP. Josi has the most PP ice time among Predators players, averaging 3:13 minutes per game. Josi has emerged as a favourite for the Norris, but will this next player take the cake?
1. Cale Makar
Kale? No, it’s Cale Makar! The former Calder-winning defenseman is breaking ankles again this season. With his 69 points, Makar is second among defensemen in scoring. Makar continues to show off his elite skating and puck movement. He is continuing to put on highlight-reel plays each night. Makar’s most impressive stat has to be his 22 goals in 58 games, leading all NHL d-men. Although not physical, Makar can hold his ground in the defensive zone. Makar is the National Hockey League’s favourite for the Norris Trophy! Will Makar win the Calder?
6. Adam Fox
The defending Norris Trophy winner has had a tremendous season. Fox has single-handedly carried the Rangers back into playoff contention. The 5’11" defenseman has not only brought offensive ability but a fine defensive game to the Rangers lineup. He has 112 blocks and an average of just over two minutes of short-handed TOI this season. Fox essentially runs the Rangers' power play. He has 28 power-play points and a total of 62 points on the year. Fox averages just over 24 minutes a game and is once again in contention for the Norris Trophy.
5. Charlie McAvoy
After the departure of Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara, McAvoy has excelled to be Boston’s number one defenseman. This season, he has brought his game to another level. He already has a new career-high of 40 points. McAvoy is a player that can be used in all situations; he head mans Boston’s number one PP unit (3:01 PP TOI) and is a frequent penalty killer (2:06 TOI). So far this season, he leads the Bruins defenders in ice time with an average of 24:37 minutes a night. The Long Island native also brings a feisty hard-hitting game. He has 50 penalty minutes along with 117 hits and 95 blocks. McAvoy’s an all-around two-way futuristic puck-moving defenseman.
4. Victor Hedman
The long-legged Swede just won his second straight Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he hopes to make it three in a row after this season. Hedman continues to play as an offensive, yet shutdown, defenseman. He already has 61 points in 61 games, for an average of one point per game. The 31-year-old plays both on the power play and penalty kill; he averages 25+ minutes per game. Although, with his size, Hedman is not as physical as other d-men on this list, although he does have a +13 rating. Will Tampa Bay make it a three-peat?
3. Aaron Ekblad
No, the chances of Ekblad winning the Norris is close to nothing due to his recent season-ending injury. But, this doesn’t take away from his career-best season. The former first overall pick has led his Panthers team to first place in the Atlantic Division. He is fifth in defensive scoring, with 57 points in 61 games while playing just over 24 minutes per night. Ekblad’s most impressive statistic has to be his +38 statistic. He is a very smart, calm, puck-moving defenseman. This is supported by his low 26 PIMs and 34 even-strength points. Although out for the remainder of the season, Ekblad’s play has been noticed around the league.
2. Roman Josi
The Swiss-born forward has been tearing the league apart this season. He leads all d-men in points with 75 in 60 games. His 17 goals are a new career-high as he continues to battle for a playoff spot with the Nashville Predators. Josi commands Nashville’s power play; he has 29 of his points on the PP. Josi has the most PP ice time among Predators players, averaging 3:13 minutes per game. Josi has emerged as a favourite for the Norris, but will this next player take the cake?
1. Cale Makar
Kale? No, it’s Cale Makar! The former Calder-winning defenseman is breaking ankles again this season. With his 69 points, Makar is second among defensemen in scoring. Makar continues to show off his elite skating and puck movement. He is continuing to put on highlight-reel plays each night. Makar’s most impressive stat has to be his 22 goals in 58 games, leading all NHL d-men. Although not physical, Makar can hold his ground in the defensive zone. Makar is the National Hockey League’s favourite for the Norris Trophy! Will Makar win the Calder?