Like Kukkonen, Bryce Montgomery will take time and patience to develop for your franchise. Bruce holds a Ph.D. in Education and formerly taught undergraduates as an adjunct instructor. (0.57) to 21st overall during that period. Last season with the Hershey Bears, Fehervary had 14 assists and three goals across 24 games. Victor Hedman Tampa By Lightning. During the 2019-2020 season with the Calgary Hitmen, he had 39 assists and seven goals across 64 games. Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goals. The 24-year-old Werenski is a skilled and mobile blueliner, tallying 47 points as a rookie in 2016-17. If you wanted the fastest line incorporating a players secondary position, then your line would look like this: Johnny Gaudreau (93) Connor McDavid (96) Nathan MacKinnon (93) Quinn Hughes (93) Cole Makar (93.33). His offensive awareness is a staggering 98, but he also has a 92 in defensive awareness. He's also the leader in power-play points (106) during that period. Lightning. in total points over the past four seasons with 257. Thanks to his powerful shot, he sits fourth among all rearguards with 94 total goalssince 2014-15. His production from the blue line during the 2018 playoffs played a crucial role in their march to the 2018 Stanley Cup,netting 20 pointsin 24 games. Beyond his speed, the two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner as MVP boasts incredible puck skills with a 97 in deking, hand-eye, and puck control with a 96 in passing. His discipline is 75 with poise at 65 and offensive awareness at 63. Erik Karlsson, SJS. Dougie Hamilton's offensive skills were apparent early in his NHL career with the Boston Bruins, exceeding 40 points for the first time in 2014-15. Age: 25Rating: 91Position: Right WingType: SniperTeam: Boston BruinsShoots: RightBest Attributes: 95 Passing, 95 Off. Acquired from the Islanders last October, Toews meshed quickly with Makar. Thats 19th highest among NHL defensemen. That shouldve already been clear. Kucherov is in rather that Pastrnak as Kucherov has a higher overall rating, but both are fine as they have the same speed score. Zdeno Chara's departure last winter via free agency left the Bruins without a regular defense partner for rising star Charlie McAvoy. Carve your path to superstardom in an expanded Be A Pro mode and go down as one of the leagues greatest. I wouldnt call his playmaking a major asset and his skating is just OK, but theres a lot of pieces in his game to become a middle-six powerful type of wing in the NHL. Maybe Klingberg is in their future if they can navigate the cap complications. Letang is approaching the period in his career when his offensive output could start to decline. Grzelcyk may be small for an NHL defenseman at 5'9" and 178 pounds, but he possesses good puck-moving skills. Drew Doughty, LAK22. The 31-year-old's point-per-game production (0.56) declined over the past two seasons to 29th among all rearguards as the Kings rebuilt with younger talent. After nine seasons with the Boston Bruins, Krug signed with the St. Louis Blues in 2020. Erik Gustafsson, TOR20. In those eight seasons, he's, behind Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson in total points among defensemen with 429. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Under The Radar Players To Acquire In Franchise Mode. in power-play ice time per game (4:11) while finishing second with an average ice time per game of 24:19. Weegar emerged from Ekblad's shadow last season, netting a career-high 36 points in 54 games. The 30-year-old Barrie's offensive skills put him seventh, since 2013-14 with 381 career points. He has also worked as a ghostwriter, but by definition, he can't prove it. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. He also checks the boxes on the physical end. Mmmm that Yotes Avs series is still too fresh for me to agree there, It's that weird thing teams outside of california do. Bahls non-balance skate skills all fall below 80, albeit only slightly. Top 20 defensemen in the NHL for the 2022-23 season of the last four seasons with the exception being the shortened year in 2020-21. Since his sophomore campaign, he's been their overall leader in time on ice time per game (22:55). His balance and durability should keep him on the ice as he will rarely fall, which would increase the risk of injury. Hes a big, highly physical winger, with good hands and some goal-scoring touch. Rasmus Sandin, WSH (NEW)45. Two more had him The Def. Miro Heiskanen is only 21-years-old but has already made a big impact in the NHL as an integral defenseman for the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Final run in 2020. His physical skills could improve a little. He has good senses with a 94 in offensive awareness, 91 in defensive awareness, and 90 in poise. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were the Dallas Stars' best defense pairing prior to this season. in 2020-21 with 42 assists while finishing second with 47 points. His 107 goals since 2013-14 rank. He led the Stars in playoff scoring with 26 points during their run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Though limited to 33 points in 48 games last season, Josi remains among the game's elite mobile blueliners. Gaudreau had 30 assists and 19 goals across 56 games for Calgary during the 2020-21 season. Stick 'Em Up will allow the user to make defensive plays with their stick and intercept passes much more effectively. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Respondents were asked to rank their top 10 players at center, winger, defenseman and goaltender, based on a predetermined list of the top 20 to 30 players at each position. He is also someone who rarely spends time in the penalty box, having spent just six minutes there during the 2020-21 season and amassing a total of 106 minutes over eight seasons. CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. The season prior for the Ottawa 67s, he had 16 assists and three goals in 39 games. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. However, the 36-year-old's. He was ranked No. Defensively, his awareness is only 69 while his shot blocking and stick checking are 72. He also has an 89 in hand-eye, puck control, and slap shot power with the other three shooting ratings at 88. He has good awareness with offense at 93 and defense at 90, and he is good at stick checking with a 92. Others, like the Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar, excel on the attack. Playing a major role in those accomplishments was Victor Hedman, who. Interceptor will allow the user to not only intercept passes more effectively, but to get into position to make a good defensive play with the boost to Agility, as well. He was second among Isles skaters in short-handed ice time per game (2:14) and takeaways (25), third in ice time per contest (21:03) and fourth with 73 blocked shots. During the 2020-21 season, Pastrnak had 28 assists and 20 goals over 48 games with six of those goals and 14 assists coming on the power play. The 67 Bahl may prove to become a dominant force for your franchise, as imposing as his height would suggest. among NHL defensemen last season with 45 points. 2) Victor Hedman, Lightning 2020-21 Stats: 9 G, 36 A in 54 GP Hedman has been one of the league's top defensemen, particularly from an offensive standpoint, for Good offensively too but nobody really talks about how good he is in his own end. Miro Heiskanen, DAL16. K'Andre Miller, D, NYR (suspended)32. Hockey Sense will allow the user to intercept passes and pick up loose pucks more effectively, as well as make better passes and shots. Aaron Ekblad, FLA47. Where he does lack as evidenced by the sub-80 rating is in faceoffs, where he has a career 44.8 win percentage, though he won a career-high 49.53 in 2020-21. It will also decrease the player's Wrist Shot Accuracy, Slap Shot Accuracy, and Deking by 2, 2, and 3 points. Last season proved more difficult for Hughes and the Canucks as theymissed the playoffs,due in part to a slow start and a COVID-19 outbreak. Your email address will not be published. In NHL 21, players can choose from a varied selection of Traits and Specialties that will boost the attributes of their player loadout for online World of CHEL modes. These are the best perks for defencemen who want to shut down opponents. WebGet team defense stats for the 2022-2023 NHL season, including goals and shots against for the regular season and playoffs. A Norris Trophy winner in 2015-16, Doughty had exceeded the 40-point plateau seven times in his 13 NHL seasons. among Canucks regular-season scorers and third with 16 points in postseason scoring. Quinn Hughes, VAN12. The linchpin of the Washington Capitals defense corps, John Carlson's smooth skating and offensive skills make him an invaluable part of their scoring attack too. Esa Lindell and John Klingberg were the Dallas Stars' best defense pairing prior to this season. The second version of this perk reduces the player's Passing and Puck Control accuracy by 3 and 4 points, and defensemen need accurate shots less than they'll need to make plays with the puck on their stick. This list has the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. Tyson Barrie Edmonton Oilers. They are listed by left and right defense. Since last season, the 6'3" 220-pound Finn leads the Stars in blocked shots with 120. Last season for the Binghamton Devils, Okhotyuk had four assists and two goals in 28 games. Woos lines from last season with the Utica Comets saw him register three goals and two assists across 28 games. Players who were ranked in the top 10 on each ballot were given a numerical score: No. He has a 90 in deking and passing, a deadly combination when paired with his speed ratings. His one area of focused improvement aside from faceoffs and fighting skill is his shot blocking, rated a 75. Over 10 NHL seasons, Tyson Barrie has proved himself as a reliable point-producing defenseman. The 23-year-old McAvoy rose in just four seasons to become the Bruins' top defenseman. WebScott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock are tied for the most games by a defenseman this season, with 61 games. A finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season, Makar is among the NHL's elite mobile defensemen. His 0.67 points-per-game average is second to Erik Karlsson (0.79)during that period. With his size, speed, hockey smarts and booming shot, he remains among the NHL's top offensive rearguards. The second version of this perk will reduce the player's Endurance and Strength by 2 and 3 points, and defensemen will need their cardio and strength more than their agility. Barrie is a necessary piece going the other way. among defensemen, and he's fifth in total points with 412 over the same period. For the former, he had nine assists and seven goals in 32 games, and for the latter, he had 23 assists and four goals in 29 games. Foden's return to form helps mask De Bruyne's troubles. What metrics best define value for scoring defensemen or "defensive" defensemen? His puck skills range from 66-69. among defensemen last season with 45 points. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Sometimes, it can be that simple. It didn't take Cale Makar long to secure his spot among the NHL's top stars. Hes part of the best power play most of us have ever seen, and his overall game has bounced back a bit in 2022-23. Fantasy Hockey Staff, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. The Predators are in transition longtime GM David Poile is calling the shots until the end of June, when his retirement becomes official. Charlie McAvoy, BOS9. Mattias Ekholm, EDM (NEW)38. He is a tall, mobile, intelligent defender who provides value at both ends of the ice. However, concerning was his drop in shot percentage from 17.2 during his award-winning season to 11.4 during the 2020-2021 season. He's also the leader in power-play points (106) during that period. Since 2013-14, he's come into his own as an offensive blueliner. Ekholm was finally getting paid for a decade of quiet, effective service to the Preds. A big, skillful all-around defender, the 27-year-old Lindell has led the NHL since 2018-19 in short-handed ice time (718:12) among players with 100-plus games played, averaging 3:21 minutes per contest. Awareness, 95 Passing, 95 Off. To determine the fastest skaters in NHL 22, we calculated Outsider Gamings Speed Score by averaging the total of a players speed, acceleration, and agility ratings. As for Nashville, the Predators have now traded three contributing players off the roster Nino Niederreiter to the Winnipeg Jets and Tanner Jeannot to the Tampa Bay Lightning harvesting mostly draft choices, two young players and Barrie. Mike Matheson, MTL44. Hes just good. He also sits second among their blueliners with 124 points. NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Defensive Defensemen, NHL 22 Strategies: Complete Team Strategies Guide, Line Strategies & Best Team Strategies, NHL 22 Franchise Mode: Best Young Players, NHL 22 Franchise Mode: Best Free Agents to Sign, NHL 22: Best Teams to Rebuild in Franchise Mode, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Centers. After Jamie Oleksiak's offseason departure to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, he also leads them in hits over that period with 134. However, it's not unusual for there to be two swift-skating defenders who can also generate offense or two defensive-minded rearguards who can neutralize an opponent's top scorers. If Smid continues to improve, and young defenseman Justin Schultz makes an impact in his first NHL season, the Oilers' defense will take great strides in 2012-13. . Truth be told: The two guys in the top spots are really in a 1A Moritz Seider, DET26. Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is among the NHL's best defensemen. Chychrun is an extremely underrated but extremely good shutdown guy. Lindgren is also fourth at even-strength time per contest (17:16) and in blocked shots with 66. Not bad. Log in here. In other words, they didnt sacrifice either Evan Bouchard or Philip Broberg in the deal, two of their better young defensemen. His discipline and poise are 70 while his offensive awareness is 69. His defense is adequate, but still needs improvement. His puck skills need a lot of work, too, but that can be saved for later. Predators retain four percent of Ekholm remaining cap hit/salary, Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023. Jeff Petry, PIT49. While injuries limited Matt Grzelcyk to 37 games last season, he wound up seeing more playing time with McAvoy than any other Bruins blueliner. That suggests he still has some productive seasons left in him. The 25-year-old had 22 points in 35 games in 2020-21 before suffering a season-ending leg injury. He had a quick stint with New Jersey last season for seven games (two assists). But Hedman wasnt the only While his discipline is fine at 80, his offensive awareness is 77 and his poise a meager 70. His 85 in durability should keep him on the ice to learn and grow, and his 84 in both slap and wrist shot power makes him a good offensive force from the right defense. He scored 48 goals during the 2019-2020 season (with 47 assists) over 70 games, winning the Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy as top goal scorer. The former Stanley Cup champion had 20 assists and nine goals across 41 games during the 2020-2021 season. The first version will reduce the player's Strengthby 5 points instead of Balance, andStrength is more valuable to defensemen, as it willincrease the power ofnot only body checks, but also shots. Victor Hedman, TBL11. Age: 26Rating: 93Position: Center/Right WingType: PlaymakerTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 95 Acceleration, 94 Hand-Eye, 94 Offensive Awareness. 10 Best Perks For Defensemen In NHL 21. The first-round pick is the prize, and Schafer sounds like an interesting piece to have around, too. RELATED:NHL 21, 10 Prospects To Draft In Franchise Mode. However, having a constant boost to poke checking ability whenever the defenseman is in their zone will improve the chances of poking the puck, and not the opponent's skates, when the time for a poke check inevitably arises. The youngest player on this list by one year, Quinn Hughes is also only the second defenseman who scored at least a 93 in speed score. The Arizona Coyotes unloaded another top player prior to the NHL trade deadline, sending defenseman Jakob Chychrun to the Ottawa Senators.. Ottawa is sending a 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2024 conditional second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to Arizona. Awareness and Balance by 3 and 5. Age: 22Rating: 88Position: Right DefenseType: Offensive DefensemanTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 94 Agility, 93 Deking, 93 Passing. Schaefer is a very good prospect. Inject some speed into your NHL 22 lines to get an edge against all of your opponents. As a sophomore, he tallied 44 points in as many games. Hedman's strong two-way game earned the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2017-18 and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019-20. This does not apply when both teams have taken a penalty (4-on-4 or 3-on-3). Eric Duhatschek:It was only two years ago when the Nashville Predators Mattias Ekholm was at or near the top of everybodys trade board heading into the 2021 NHL trade deadline. But I just got back to dv1 and the elite badge players are playing the same l2 game and there's nothing wrong with that adding l2 into your game is a really useful skill. But that wasnt nearly enough to squeeze in Ekholm which is why Tyson Barrie, the quarterback of the Oilers No. Maintaining an elite defensive pairing can mean the difference between a contender and a pretender. Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July, Klingberg could earn a lucrative new contract with the Stars or another NHL club. He was also their leading scorer (26 points) in the, A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson netted at least 62 points six times in his 12 NHL seasons. His best skills outside of his speed are with the puck as he has a 94 in hand-eye and a 93 in deking, passing, and puck control. He also netted at least 40 points six times in the past seven seasons with the Bruins, Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes. However, his output fell to just 27 points in 56 games last season, the lowest since his 12-point performance in 2007-08. Injuries and a shortened schedule limited him to 32 points in 2019-20, but he netted 36 points in 53 games the following season. Kucherovs biggest area of improvement in-game should be the physical side. Team: Buffalo SabresAge: 21Position: Right Defense/Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: RightContract: $0.750M, 1 Year Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 85 Durability, 82 Slap Shot Power, 82 Wrist Shot Power. On the ice, change up your attack with all new moves, dekes, dangles and evasive maneuvers, inspired by the leagues most groundbreaking innovators. Those abilities would make him the top defenseman in this year's NHL free-agent market, earning him a seven-year, The 6'6", 230-pounder isn't a physical blueliner, but he uses his long reach to strip opposing players of the puck and his big strides to move the puck up the ice. Thatll be worth monitoring to see how it plays out. It will be interesting seeing who runs the Oilers two power play units now with Barrie out. Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty Few defensemen in the NHL could've done more with the surrounding talent Doughty had last year. He can improve his 76 in aggressiveness and body checking, and his 73 in endurance should be targeted quickly. With a minimum of twenty game played, here is a look at the top 10 NHL defenseman based on a PPG %.