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Poll: Who Are The Best Defensemen In The NHL?

November 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm CDT | by Gavin Lee 11 Comments

Earlier this month the NHL Network began their reveal of the top players at every position, starting with the 20 best defensemen in the league. Victor Hedman took home the top spot after his outstanding playoff performance, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup victory. If you were to build the perfect theoretical defenseman, he might look a lot like the 6’6″ Swede.

Last year’s top-ranked defenseman, Brent Burns, dropped all the way to 13 on this year’s list after a tough season in San Jose. After an incredible 2018-19 season that saw the Sharks leader score 83 points, his numbers dropped considerably to just 45 points in 70 games.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner, Roman Josi, took the second spot behind Hedman, edging out the points leader John Carlson in another competition.

Of note, Nashville, San Jose, Vegas, Carolina, and Columbus all have multiple players ranked, though none have more than two.

Like last year, when our community disagreed with NHL Network and actually crowned Hedman as top dog, we thought we’d do our own tally here at PHR. In the poll below we’ve listed many options and are asking you to vote for your top group by selecting 10 names. Does Hedman have any real competition for the top spot? Where will young players like Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, and Quinn Hughes end up?

[Mobile users click here to vote]

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Comments

  1. MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend

    5 years ago

    @Gavin – Took some serious stones to put EK65 on the list. Over/under on 3.5 adverse comments (by others) on his presence on the list. I take the over… :)

    Reply
  2. jdgoat

    5 years ago

    Not Drew Doughty

    2
    Reply
    • jmartin87

      5 years ago

      10 years ago

      Reply
  3. acarneglia

    5 years ago

    Seth Jones might be the NHL’s most underrated player

    2
    Reply
    • ruckus727

      5 years ago

      Seth is one of the guys on this list that should be on 100% of the ballots assuming everyone selects 10. There are at least 5 guys who should be locks. Hedman is the top D-man and has been for a while. Should continue to be for a few more years.

      1
      Reply
  4. Ol' Voodoo

    5 years ago

    Could do another poll of most underrated defencemen in the NHL.

    1
    Reply
  5. LarryJ4

    5 years ago

    I voted for Dahlin just cuz he will be the next Hedman! It’s Victor Hedman by a lot imo. He does everything and is noticeable everytime he’s in the ice.

    Reply
    • bigdaddyt

      5 years ago

      Basically a less physical more offensive minded Shea Webber before the injuries caught up to him

      Reply
  6. Danny DeKeyser

    5 years ago

    Where’s me?

    Reply
    • MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend

      5 years ago

      @Danny DeKeyser – Still stuck in Detroit? With my missing mail?

      Reply
  7. MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend

    5 years ago

    So much for winning the over/under on this one, eh Gavin?

    Reply

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