Now that we are at the mid-way point of the 2024-25 season, we put lists together on the top 10 players for each position, as well as coaches. It goes without saying that it is a very tough list to do given how subjective it is, but nevertheless we are here to do it once again.
First off are the defensemen, and for this update, we have a few new faces, including a new player leading the way as the best defenseman in the NHL.
10. Dougie Hamilton
If it weren’t for injuries, Dougie Hamilton could have been in the Norris Trophy conversation last season. While his offensive production isn’t at the same rate as it was then, his defensive and possession metrics are among the best in the league. When Hamilton is on the ice, the New Jersey Devils are dominating.
According to MoneyPuck, Hamilton leads the league in on-ice expected goals percentage with 65.3 percent, which is a remarkable number considering how much he plays every night. Through 53 games, Hamilton has 34 points, but his impacts on the ice go far and beyond what they have been on the score sheet.
9. Jaccob Slavin
There is a good argument for Jaccob Slavin in the conversation of the best pure defensive player in the NHL. His defensive impacts are impeccable, and he has started to elevate his offensive game lately as well. Slavin has received Norris Trophy votes in eight straight seasons, which is every year outside of his rookie season, where he also earned Calder Trophy votes. Slavin is such an underrated defenseman, and could arguably be higher on this list.
Not many players can read the game like Slavin does. He is always reliable, can shut down the opposing rush, and has great zone exit numbers. Slavin is a perfect package for a number-one defenseman, even without the elite point totals.
8. Josh Morrissey
Josh Morrissey has been a huge reason that the Winnipeg Jets are the top team in the NHL at this point. He is the only true elite defenseman on the team, plays 24 minutes per game, and whether the Jets need puck movement and offense, or to shut down the opposition, Morrissey is the guy to do it.
Other THW Positional Rankings:
Morrissey is on pace for 68 points, which will mark the third straight season hitting that mark. He has become one of the most well-rounded defensemen in the league and is widely underrated as he doesn’t hit the upper-echelon point totals that some defensemen have recently.
7. Shea Theodore
The Vegas Golden Knights are battling for the top spot in the league, and while there is still a bit of a gap to close, part of the reason they are in that conversation is Shea Theodore. He earned a spot on Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off and was well-deserving of it. His 44 points through 51 games ranks third on the team in scoring, and that is currently fourth in the league among defensemen.
As is with most players on the list, the offensive play isn’t enough to get a player in the top 10. Theodore trails just his defensive partner, Alex Pietrangelo, in ice time on his team and plays strong defensive hockey for them. He can be trusted in all situations and is one of the best defensemen in the NHL.
6. Victor Hedman
Victor Hedman had a down season in 2022-23, and people started to count him out. Now, with the Tampa Bay Lightning not built as strong as they were during their excellent stretch of success, they are still in contention for the playoffs and expected to be dangerous in the playoffs. Hedman plays a big role in that. With 40 points in 49 games, he is fifth on his team in scoring, and sixth among all defensemen.
Hedman has slowed down a bit over the past few years as he gets older, but he still finds his way in being effective defensively. He isn’t as physical as he once was, and is on pace for a career-low in hits, but is still a shot-blocking machine and reads defensive plays very well.
5. Zach Werenski
Arguably the biggest breakout star of the 2024-25 season so far, Zach Werenski is a huge part of the current push for the playoffs the Columbus Blue Jackets are on. There is little doubt at this point that he is going to earn Norris Trophy votes, and is likely going to be top three. Not only that but there is a serious case for Hart Trophy votes, too. The Blue Jackets were expected to struggle this season, but are right there in the playoff mix.
Werenski leads the entire league in ice time averaging nearly 27 minutes per game, and head coach Dean Evason clearly has faith in him being an option at any point in the game. The Blue Jackets dominate offensively with him on the ice, and his 57 points in 52 games is second in the league among defensemen for points per game.
4. Adam Fox
Adam Fox is one of the best defensemen in the game, and on top of his offensive skills, he has great defending skills as well. He is the cornerstone of the blue line for the Rangers. He plays well in all situations, including dominating the power play and shutting things down on the penalty kill.
While the Rangers have struggled at times this season, Fox has still been great on both sides of the puck. With only three goals, and taking 28 games to score his first goal, there were some concerns, but he ranks second on his team in points and continues to impress everybody when he plays.
3. Roman Josi
Not much has gone right for the Nashville Predators this season, and despite the team’s struggles, they somehow looked worse with Roman Josi out of the lineup. He brings so much life to that team, and his 35 points is third on the team. It hasn’t been the best season for Josi, though he is still playing at an elite level, but considering the past performances from him, and the current shape of the team around him, he still ranks third.
2. Cale Makar
After quite a few years of being the top defenseman in the NHL, Cale Makar is still in the top two, and while there is a very strong argument for him to be first, he has been dethroned. Makar’s game hasn’t changed much. He is still fantastic offensively, leading all defensemen in goals with 19 and having 57 points through just 53 games. He is a huge reason that the Colorado Avalanche have been able to stay in the playoff race despite the amount of injuries they suffered throughout the 2024-25 season.
Makar is quite good defensively, too. While this hasn’t been his best shut-down season, he has consistently been among the best away from the puck as well.
1. Quinn Hughes
After winning his first Norris Trophy last season, Quinn Hughes is leading the way yet again and is on track to become the first back-to-back winner of the award since Nicklas Lidstrom in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Throughout all of the Canucks’ struggles in 2024-25, Hughes has been the one consistently dominant player on the team and is keeping them in the race, and will likely earn Hart Trophy votes this season, too.
With 59 points in 47 games, Hughes has dominated the field offensively with just under three points per 60 minutes of play. Of course, offensive talent isn’t everything when it comes to defensemen, but Hughes is an outstanding defensive player as well. Now that he has played at this level longer than one season, he has taken the reigns from Makar as the best defenseman in the NHL.
