Ranking each NHL team’s No. 1 defenseman for 2016-17

Continuing our look at the players who'll be the best at each position next season, here's our ranking of each team's No.1 defenseman. Yes, we're asking for trouble with this one, if only because it's a prediction of future success, not a reflection of past accomplishments, and personal style preferences can heavily sway impressions at this one position more than at any other. By Allan Muir

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 17, 2016

Ranking each NHL team’s No. 1 defenseman for 2016-17

30. Andy Greene, Devils: Greene posted the worst possession numbers of any top backliner last season, a miserable 43.49%. Now headlining a defense that's about to get even younger with the trade of Adam Larsson to Edmonton, he'll be in tough to make a more positive impact.

29. Erik Johnson, Avalanche: He's coming off a lousy season that saw him post a career-worst -19 and a 44.2% Corsi, fifth-lowest among all regular NHL defenders. It's entirely possible that he reverts to his 2014-15 All-Star form, especially under a new coach, but we're in show-me mode.

28. Seth Jones, Blue Jackets: We think we know what Jones will become. So far, he's not that player. He struggled mightily trying to prematurely fill a first pair role alongside 1A Ryan Murray, but that's to be expected. More tough days lie ahead, but his future is bright.

27. Adam Larsson, Oilers: He lacks the offensive chops of a true No. 1, but Larsson should be a decent fill-in until the Oilers develop, or trade for, that player. He'll give them 20-22 minutes a night of solid defensive play, something this team desperately needs.

26. Alexander Edler, Canucks: A broken fibula cost him the final 30 games of last season, but Edler wasn't having a particularly strong year even when healthy. His CorsiFor% dropped five points from 2014-15, down to just 46.94%, one of the lowest possession numbers for any top defenseman.

25. Danny DeKeyser, Red Wings: The 26-year-old is serviceable enough, trustworthy in any situation and capable of helping both special teams. But he's a No. 1 out of necessity rather than merit, a placeholder until someone more qualified comes along.

24. Zdeno Chara, Bruins: Time catches up to all of us, eventually. Chara was once the game's most dominant defensive presence but his effectiveness has waned dramatically. At 39, a rebound is unlikely.

23. Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs: The 22-year-old made a relatively smooth adjustment from third-pair offensive defender to an all-purpose first-pair blueliner in 2015-16, proving he could handle a higher quality of competition. Expectations will be elevated this season. Watch Rielly exceed them.

22. Ryan McDonagh, Rangers: It's tough to reconcile McDonagh's talent with his ranking, but the truth of it is he simply hasn't played up to his paper for the past two seasons. Injuries (his own) and the struggles of partner Dan Girardi have limited his effectiveness, and too often it felt like he was trying to do too much. More is expected of a player who should be in his prime.

21. Hampus Lindholm, Ducks: The potential is there for Lindholm to be a special player. He set new career highs with 10 goals, 149 shots and 115 blocked shots last season, but his success is still too closely aligned with the play of his partner (good with Sami Vatanen, bad with Kevin Bieksa). A lead horse needs to lead.

20. Nick Leddy, Islanders: There was a lot to like about Leddy's season, from his ability to mesh with two partners (Travis Hamonic and Johnny Boychuk) and his career-highs in both assists (35) and points (40). But he wasn't as sharp defensively (a team-worst -9) and he endured a 38-game scoring drought. He's capable of more, and on a team that's skewing younger, he has to deliver.

19. Rasmus Ristolainen, Sabres: No, his fancy stats weren't flattering, but keep things in perspective: At 21, Ristolainen ranked in the top 10 among all defenseman in time on ice (25:15 per game) and shots (202) and he totaled 41 points. It won't happen this season, but it's only a matter of time before he's one of the league's best.

18. John Carlson, Capitals: He's coming off something of a lost campaign, but there's reason to believe Carlson is capable of bouncing back strong in 2016-17. During his injury-abbreviated regular season, he racked up 1.76 points-per 60 minutes, eighth among top defenders. And he put together a terrific postseason, totaling 12 points in 12 games. The tools are there. It's up to him to put them all together.

17. Shayne Gostisbehere, Flyers: He was a revelation during his rookie season, changing the look and tempo of a Flyers team that was a long shot to make the playoffs. So, what'll he do for an encore? Regression's not out of the question, but if he can improve on his possession game and maintain his shooting percentage, he can carry this team a long way.

16. Justin Faulk, Hurricanes: At 24, Faulk is well established as one of the game's most talented defenders. An All-Star in each of the past two seasons and one of the NHL's top power play weapons (team-high 12 goals), he has a chance to mature into a Norris candidate in 2017.

15. Dustin Byfuglien, Jets: There's simply no one quite like Big Buff, the rare player capable of changing the course of a game on any given shift with a thundering hit or a howitzer from the point. There's always a concern about the occasional brain cramp, but last season was his most focused to date. We might not have seen his best yet.

14. John Klingberg, Stars: Just two years into his career, Klingberg is Erik Karlsson-lite, an effective and consistent point producer who dominates in shot differential and zone exits. He'll have to make adjustments after losing long-time partner Alex Goligoski to Arizona, but is capable of putting together a season that demands Norris consideration.

13. Alex Pietrangelo, Blues: He's not the offensive wizard we thought he might become, but Pietrangelo has matured into a tireless workhorse on the St. Louis blue line, capable of handling the toughest defensive assignments. He went into beast mode in the postseason, averaging nearly 29 minutes while putting up half a point per game, hinting at a very high ceiling.

12. Mark Giordano, Flames: He's finished among the top 15 vote getters for the Norris in each of the past three seasons, a testament to his consistent excellence. His furious finish (50 points in his final 60 games) suggests he's on track to make it four straight.

11. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers: At 20, Ekblad has only flashed hints of his immense potential. With Brian Campbell gone to Chicago, now's the time for him to assume a larger role for the Cats. A powerful skater blessed with uncanny hockey sense, he can be a force in all three zones.

10. Shea Weber, Canadiens: Weber's heavy, physical game may be going out of style, but at 31 he remains one of the league's most effective blueliners. He was brought to Montreal to change the complexion of their defensive zone coverage and to give the Habs a dangerous weapon on the power play. Hard not to see him being successful.

9. Ryan Suter, Wild: Wily veteran will be hard-pressed to match last season's career-high offensive numbers (43 assists, 51 points), but at 31 he remains one of the most reliable defenders in the game. He plays heavy minutes in all situations, executing his duties with poise under pressure.

8. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Coyotes: OEL ranked third among NHL defenseman in goals (21), tied for second in power-play goals (12) and first in game-winners (8), playing a key role in Arizona's 22-point improvement last season. He's sure to look even better as the talent around him improves.

7. Roman Josi, Predators: He's the ultimate plug 'n' play defender, consistently and quietly excellent in all three zones. Few defenders are more effective using their stick to break up the attack, and few are better at keying the transition to offense.

6. Brent Burns, Sharks: Burns is coming off the best season of his career, one in which he set a franchise record for points by a defenseman (75) and earned recognition as a Norris Trophy finalist. A slight regression is a possibility but he's just as likely to crank it up to 11.

5. Victor Hedman, Lightning: He's the prototypical modern blueliner, blessed with elite size, mobility, physicality and hockey sense. Hedman is one of the best in the game when it comes to transitioning from defense to offense. He has a Norris in his future.

4. Kris Letang, Penguins: He was transformed under coach Mike Sullivan. Freed to play the game in a way that made the most of his remarkable skill set he put together an electrifying second half, scoring 34 points in his final 33 games while ramping up his intensity in his own zone. He could challenge Karlson for the defenseman scoring title.

3. Duncan Keith, Blackhawks: Keith's 2015-16 season was marred by an early surgery and an indefensible attack on Minnesota's Charlie Coyle, but otherwise matched his usual standard of excellence. He's capable of being the best player on the ice on any given night.

2. Erik Karlsson, Senators: He'll never win over some fans, but the truth of it is simple: No one plays more minutes or dominates possession quite like Karlsson. A two-time Norris winner, he's certain to be in the mix again in 2017.

1. Drew Doughty, Kings: The defending Norris Trophy winner is both an advanced stats monster and an ace at the eye test. He might not boast the offensive chops of some top defenders, but his reads, mobility and hockey sense make him the undisputed master of his own zone.