The Best Defense
Defensemen are a crucial part of a successful NHL team. Many are great at what they do and stand out to be the best on their team. Some have greater skills and specialties such as offense, goal-scoring, point-getting, and special teams. With that in mind, here are 5 of the best defensemen the NHL has.
1. Cale Makar
Cale Makar is a generational defender for the Colorado Avalanche who racked up 92 points last season on 30 goals and 62 assists. Makar is both an offensive juggernaut and a sound defensive presence, routinely playing the bulk of minutes. He is also a five-time Norris Trophy finalist, the winner in 2021-22, along with a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe.
2. Quinn Hughes
Quinn Hughes is an elite offensive defenseman and Vancouver Canucks captain. The Norris Trophy winner in 2023-24, Hughes continued to produce at an elite level last season. Hughes has already matched the records of some of the greatest players of all time, posting multiple three-assist games in a season to join the company of Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque.
3. Zach Werenski
Werenski was one of the league's best defensemen last season. With 82 points in 81 games, he was second in the NHL among defensemen, only trailing Cale Makar. Werenski is only the fifth defenseman in NHL history to record 80 or more points in a season since the 1997 lockout.
4. Miro Heiskanen
The Dallas Stars defense is anchored by 26-year-old Miro Heiskanen. He has had two seasons with over 70 points in his young career, one of which was a career-high 73 two seasons ago. Heiskanen is also a big part of their success in the playoffs, where the team made the conference final three years in a row.
Jenn G from Seattle, WA on Wikimedia
5. Victor Hedman
The Lightning’s captain, Victor Hedman, 34, is one of the elite defensemen in the NHL. He finished his last season with 66 points and 26 PPs in 79 games. Hedman also excels in the postseason, earning a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020 when the Lightning won the first of back-to-back Stanley Cups.
