NHL top Hockey defenders are chosen by numerous criteria such as goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal, and hits for skaters. Top defenders’ performance is measured on past production in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, defense pairs, power-play usage, injury history or concern, age, contract status, and overall upside for next season. Here is the list of NHL top hockey defenders based on points:
1.Tyson Barrie, Edmonton Oilers
Barrie Tyson started his career in 2006 with Kelowna Rockets, however, most of his hockey race achievements in the NHL were under Colorado Avalanche and finally his big day came in 2020, when he signed as a free agent to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Barrie is the highest-scoring defenseman with 48 points last season and second in power-play points with 23.
2. Adam Fox, New York Rangers
Fox is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New York Rangers. The outstanding results for 55 games, accomplished season with 47 power-play points, bring him a second place in NHL top rating. If you want to take advantage of this chance, you should get New York Rangers tickets as soon as possible by checking out the NY Rangers schedule.
3. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
For a long time, Swedish origin, Hendman was the number one defenceman in the NHL. Hedman won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. In the hearts of many hockey fans, Hendam remains a number one player in the world. His 10 goals during the 2020 playoffs were acknowledged the third-most by a defenseman during a playoff year in league history.
4. Kristopher Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
Letang and Hendman have scored 45 points this season. A Canadian defenseman reached double-digit goals for the seventh time in 14 seasons, moreover, Letang has scored 537 points (127 goals, 410 assists) in 808 regular-season games and 80 points (21 goals, 59 assists) in 136 postseason games, which makes him a great competitor to his nearest rival.
5.John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Carlson was the runner-up for the Norris Trophy for 2019-20, as a highly-skilled defenseman, he had six assists in five postseason games. Moreover, Carlson is first among NHL defensemen in game-winning goals (six), second in power-play points (26; two goals, 24 assists), and tied for ninth in average ice time (24:38).
6.Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Makar has 44 points, equal to Carlson, with whom he scored four game-winning goals, had a plus-12 rating and averaged 21:01 of ice time in 57 games, third among rookies. The future shines bright for Makar who has renewed his contract with Avalanche for the next six years.
7.Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens
Petry scored 3 points less and has 42 points overall. At the dawn of his NHL career he was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, 45th overall, at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, playing for the organization from 2010 until his trade to Montreal in 2015. The 2020–21 COVID shortened season proved to be Petry’s most productive to date scoring at a 0.78 pts/game pace for Montreal.
8.Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes
Hamilton ranked eight among NHL defensemen with 42 points and was tied for second with 14 goals when he got a trauma, causing him to miss the regular season. Hamilton, who is first among NHL defensemen with 49 goals over the past three seasons, came back for the Eastern Conference First Round against the Boston Bruins and scored two points in a five-game loss.
9.Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights
Theodore scored 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 20 games to help Vegas advance to the Western Conference Final. He led the team in average ice time (22:14 per game) and power-play time (3:06 per game). Keep a close look at Theodore’s future achievements, he can catch the fortune unexpectedly.
10.Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes
The last but not least, in Top-10 NHL hockey players is an American-born Canadian hockey professional Jacob Chycrun. On April 4, 2021, Chychrun scored his first career hat trick – the third goal being the overtime winner – in a 3–2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks.
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