The defense and what is required from the position, changed dramatically in recent seasons. It wasn’t long ago that for a team to have a great unit, the skaters needed to defend and send the puck up the ice to the forwards who would do the scoring. Now, defensemen are essentially asked to do it all.
It’s what makes ranking the defensive units a difficult task. A great unit needs to eliminate opposing offenses; that’s a given. Yet, they also must help set up the offense and create rush chances once the puck is turned over. On top of that, they must open things up in the offensive zone. Along with the on-ice contributions, the skaters have to have both speed and skill to combat the speed and skill of the opposition but they must also have the toughness needed to deliver a big hit when needed.
How These Rankings Came Together
Because a lot goes into play for a great defensive unit, a lot went into the rankings. There are some eye test things to consider. How have some defensive units held up this season? Which ones are pointed to make a big impact in the playoffs? Which units make average goaltenders look good and good goaltenders look great? We look at the key skaters who anchor the unit but also how things shake up on each team’s later pairings as well. Additionally, these rankings took some outside perspective as some of the writers at The Hockey Writers provided insight on teams they don’t cover, a way to remove bias from the rankings.
Related: NHL Awards History: Oldest & Youngest Winners
Considering this article requires a lot of scrolling, let’s stop wasting time and dive right in!
32. San Jose Sharks
Key Skaters: Mario Ferraro, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy
Depth Skaters: John Klingberg and Sam Dickinson
The San Jose Sharks have a great rebuild in the works with the forward unit developing elite talent. The defense remains a weak link. They don’t have a number one defenseman and lack one in the farm system as well, making the position a likely target in a future draft. This season, the Sharks are piecing together their unit with Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, and John Klingberg, three veterans joining the team in the offseason, coming in to try to add stability.
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Key Skaters: Alex Vlasic and Connor Murphy
Depth Skaters: Wyatt Kaiser, Kevin Korchinski
The wild cards for the Chicago Blackhawks are Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov, two prospects who can change the outlook of this unit. Korchinski’s development hasn’t been great, with the team moving up and down from the American Hockey League (AHL) to the NHL. Levshunov is worth watching as he can join the NHL roster from day one or spend this season developing in the AHL. Otherwise, the Blackhawks are a rebuilding team with a rebuilding defense that is going through the growing pains.
30. Pittsburgh Penguins
Key Skaters: Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson
Depth Skaters: Ryan Graves and Matt Dumba
The Pittsburgh Penguins are an aging team without much depth to help as the core slowly declines. This is particularly accurate when it comes to the defense. Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson are in their 30s and on the decline, with Letang notably underachieving in recent seasons. Considering how poorly the goaltending has played, they could use a good unit and it is why this team is one of the worst at preventing the puck from finding their net.
29. Philadelphia Flyers
Key Skaters: Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale
Depth Skaters: Cam York, Nick Seeler, Rasmus Ristolainen
The Philadelphia Flyers have a mixed bag of a defense. Travis Sanheim is a great two-way player that many fans don’t know about, as he’s spent his prime on a terrible team. Likewise, Jamie Drysdale and Cam York are the young skaters with high upside but both are inconsistent, and the hope is that new head coach Rick Tocchet fixes that. For a young team looking to make the big step, the Flyers need a young blueliner who does it all, and Drysdale so far hasn’t proven capable of doing so.
28. Nashville Predators
Key Skaters: Roman Josi and Brady Skjei
Depth Skaters: Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix
The Nashville Predators took a big step back last season, and it’s in part because of their defense. It’s Roman Josi, who is still playing at a high level, and not much else. The defense lacks depth, and the Nick Perbix and Nicolas Hague additions from the offseason aren’t changing that.
27. Seattle Kraken
Key Skaters: Vince Dunn, Brandon Montour, Ryker Evans
Depth Skaters: Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak
Just like the Brady Skjei addition for the Predators, the Brandon Montour signing was supposed to put the Seattle Kraken over the top, notably on the defense. It didn’t. The truth is that this defense lacks reliable players outside of the top pair, and with Vince Dunn coming off a down season, it doesn’t help the cause either. If Dunn and the rest of the unit rebound, the Kraken will see a resurgence on their defense, although it’s worth noting that new head coach Lane Lambert isn’t known for fixing defenses (on the contrary, they often struggle with him behind the bench).
26. Anaheim Ducks
Key Skaters: Pavel Mintyukov and Jackson LaCombe
Depth Skaters: Olen Zellweger, Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba
Last season, the Anaheim Ducks allowed 3.18 goals per game despite having a great goaltending tandem. It’s because their defense was young, developing, and most importantly, terrible at stopping high-danger chances. The hope is that a new coaching staff changes that as the young players continue to improve. That said, expect some growing pains from the defense on the defensive end.
25. Detroit Red Wings
Key Skaters: Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson
Depth Skaters: Erik Gustafsson and Ben Chairot
The Detroit Red Wings, despite a surplus of prospects from the Steve Yzerman rebuild, have a top-heavy roster with their defense standing out. It’s a group led by Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, with a drop off after that. If one of the prospects joins the team and rounds out the unit, it’s a different group this season but otherwise, this is a defense that is poised to let the Red Wings down.
24. Calgary Flames
Key Skaters: MacKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, Kevin Bahl
Depth Skaters: Daniil Miromanov and Zayne Parekh
The wild card for the Calgary Flames is Zayne Parekh. He’s their top prospect who is expected to be on the team this season and provide a much-needed two-way presence. Parekh emerging as a star not only improves the defense but makes the Flames a great team out west. Other than that, this is a good unit but nothing special. The only other question regarding it is whether Rasmus Andersson, a veteran who is on an expiring contract, is a part of the defense halfway through the season.
23. Tampa Bay Lightning
Key Skaters: Victor Hedman, Erik Cernak, Ryan McDonagh
Depth Skaters: JJ Moser
Victor Hedman is the motor of the defense and plays at a high level, even at 35 years old. He’s eventually going to decline, and the same is true about aging skater Ryan McDonagh, who was acquired last offseason and once again looks like the shutdown defenseman who helped them win the Cup in 2020 and 2021. The thing holding this defense back is depth. They don’t have much of it. It didn’t help in the playoffs when they faced a team in the first round that came after them in waves.
22. Utah Mammoth
Key Skaters: Mikhail Sergachev, Ian Cole
Depth Skaters: Sean Durzi, Olli Maatta, Juuso Valimaki, and Nate Schmidt
The Utah Hockey Club has a promising young forward unit with plenty of elite prospects. So, what better way to help that group out (aside from trading Michael Kesselring) than with a defense built to win now? Mikhail Sergachev was the big addition last offseason, and Nate Schmidt was the big one this time around. The good news is that the other skaters have also stepped up to ultimately give them a good but far-from-great unit.
21. Boston Bruins
Key Skaters: Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov
Depth Skaters: Andrew Peeke and Mason Lohrei
The Boston Bruins are typically known for having a great defense. Last season, the unit was a mess, with the Hampus Lindholm injury setting them back and the Nikita Zadorov signing proving to be a big mistake. With a healthy Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy still playing well, this unit should be fine this season. Otherwise, the Bruins, who are at a crossroads as a team looking to stay competitive but staring at a rebuild, might have to move on from some of these veterans on their blue line.
20. Los Angeles Kings
Key Skaters: Michael Anderson, Drew Doughty
Key Players: Joel Edmundson, Brandt Clarke, and Cody Ceci
Part of the Ken Holland special is bringing in veterans who are over the hill, hoping they can turn back the clock and lead a team to a Cup. Cody Ceci is the case in point for that, and Holland was only getting warmed up as he brought in Brian Dumoulin to add depth. The Los Angeles Kings are trying to build a team that can win in the playoffs. They must win in the regular season first, and there’s a good chance this unit is injury-depleted by the halfway point.
19. Buffalo Sabres
Key Skaters: Rasmus Dahlin and Bowen Byram
Depth Skaters: Mattias Samuelsson, Owen Power, and Michael Kesselring
When the Buffalo Sabres traded JJ Peterka, the bright spot was that they got back Michael Kesselring in the return. This move could be what this defense needed, as Kesselring can be the finishing touch for a unit that’s great but has otherwise disappointed. Rasmus Dahlin is great, and Bowen Byram’s stepped up as well. Yet, as a group, the Sabres are terrible on defense, which speaks volumes about how they aren’t well-coached.
18. New York Islanders
Key Skaters: Alexander Romanov, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech
Depth Skaters: Isaiah George, Scott Mayfield, Matthew Schaefer
The burning question heading into the season is whether Matthew Schaefer is on the NHL roster by opening night. He’s talented enough to be the top pick in the 2025 draft and an elite two-way prospect. That said, he’s only 18, and it’s unlikely he’s ready. If Schaefer is in the lineup and making an immediate impact, it changes the complexion of this unit and the New York Islanders altogether.
Otherwise, the defense is in a transition. The Islanders are looking to move on from the veterans and add youth to the lineup while also adding scoring from the point after trading Noah Dobson this offseason. Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Scott Mayfield have declined in recent years and are in the back half of their careers. It’s why the Islanders, who had a great defense a few seasons back, have a group in the bottom half of the league.
17. Columbus Blue Jackets
Key Skaters: Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, and Dante Fabbro
Depth Skaters: Damon Severson and Denton Mateychuk
Zach Werenski burst on the scene and ended last season as a Norris Trophy finalist. He’s the reason this defense made massive strides and why the Columbus Blue Jackets came close to a playoff spot. Along with Werenski, there’s Ivan Provorov, a shutdown defenseman who was given a big contract this summer, and Dante Fabbro, who was the stay-at-home option who rounded out the top pair.
On top of that, Dean Evason did a great job coaching this team, and the defense, specifically, has tightened up and played with more structure. If Mateychuk steps up and adds depth to this defense, then it can easily be one of the best in the NHL.
16. New York Rangers
Key Skaters: Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov
Depth Skaters: William Borgen and Braden Schneider
For the first time since Adam Fox joined the NHL group, the defense isn’t a deep unit. It’s him and a bunch of depth skaters. The hope is that Vladislav Gavrikov changes that, as he was brought in as a reliable top-pair option. However, there are some major concerns with this top-heavy group that the New York Rangers have. It’s also worth noting that Fox has declined in recent seasons. He was once a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman, and now, there’s debate about whether he’ll be on the USA Olympic team, and his decline has a trickle-down effect for the rest of the defense.
15. Vegas Golden Knights
Key Skaters: Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb
Depth Skaters: Zach Whitecloud
Since their inaugural 2017-18 season, the Vegas Golden Knights have had a great defensive unit. It’s what fueled their Cup run in 2018, where they lost in the Final, and was the backbone of the winning team in 2023. For the first time, they head into the season with glaring issues on the defense. It starts with Alex Pietrangelo, a staple of the blue line, who is on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). On top of that, there’s less depth than usual, something the Nicolas Roy trade didn’t help with. The Golden Knights still have a great defense led by the trio of Noah Hanifin, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore, yet it’s not as dominant as the ones from the past.
14. St. Louis Blues
Key Skaters: Philip Broberg, Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler
Depth Skaters: Logan Mailloux
The St. Louis Blues struck gold with their offer sheet and addition of Philip Broberg. He made the top four incredible and helped the Blues retool their defense on the fly. It’s a great group that does it all. The question is what the third pairing will look like, and if Logan Mailloux, their offseason acquisition, can be a key part of it or not after having a great season in the AHL. If he does, there’s a good chance this defense puts them in the contention conversation.
13. Florida Panthers
Key Skaters: Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad
Depth Skaters: Niko Mikkola, Dmitry Kulikov, Seth Jones
The Florida Panthers went back-to-back with the help of a great defense. It wasn’t the type that overwhelmed teams on the offensive end but it shut down great offenses on the way to another Cup title. The Seth Jones trade at the deadline put them over the top and made the defense a complete unit. Better yet, Aarom Ekblad is staying with the Panthers after signing long-term in the summer, so a good unit looks poised to be great once again as the 2025-26 season rolls around.
12. Minnesota Wild
Key Skaters: Brock Faber, Jacob Middleton
Depth Skaters: Zach Bogosian, Jared Spurgeon, and Zeev Buium
The Minnesota Wild typically are led by their offense and skill in the top six. Last season, they quietly put together a great season on defense. It’s led by Brock Faber, who enters his third full season in the NHL as a top 20 (possibly a top 10) defenseman in the league. Along with Faber, the Wild have a young group that’s only going to be better this season, notably with Zeev Buium projected to be a regular on the defense.
11. Colorado Avalanche
Key Skaters: Cale Makar and Devon Toews
Depth Skaters: Josh Manson, Brent Burns, and Samuel Girard
The Colorado Avalanche are the tale of two defenses. It’s a flawed group, especially on the second and third pair. It doesn’t matter with the star power bailing them out. Cale Makar is the best defenseman in the NHL, and after winning the Norris Trophy for the second time in his career, the question is whether he’s the best of this generation and is establishing himself as one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Makar is often paired with Devon Toews, who is also an elite defenseman that the Avalanche lean on to become one of the best teams in the Western Conference. The duo gets a lot of ice time, although it’s understandable considering what the rest of the unit looks like.
10. Vancouver Canucks
Key Skaters: Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek
Depth Skaters: Marcus Pettersson and Tyler Myers
Where would the Vancouver Canucks be without Quinn Hughes? He won the Norris Trophy in 2024 and kept an awful team competitive in a season where they otherwise looked like the worst in their division. The defense is led by Hughes but has other reliable skaters as well, leading to optimism as the team heads into the new season. Filip Hronek rounds out Hughes’ game as the other skater on the top pair, and Marcus Pettersson adds depth. This unit, especially if it’s healthy, will keep them in the hunt for a playoff spot.
9. Montreal Canadiens
Key Skaters: Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson
Depth Skaters: Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, and Mike Matheson
Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy last season and is shaping up to be the next great young defenseman in the NHL. He’s a great puck mover who opens up the offense at the point and also steps up on the defensive end. The Montreal Canadiens added another wave of scoring at the blue line this offseason as they acquired Noah Dobson, who can take the offense up a notch from the point. Those two will make sure the Canadiens run up the score on many teams this season but the great thing about this defense is that it also has great stay-at-home options. Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, and Mike Matheson round out this defense, and a group that features many skaters just starting to enter their primes, it’s set up this team to be a sleeping giant in the Eastern Conference.
8. Washington Capitals
Key Skaters: Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson
Depth Skaters: Martin Fehervary, Rasmus Sandin, and Matt Roy
Jakob Chychrun took this defense to the next level. The Washington Capitals got him last summer, and he added a scoring presence from the point, which, paired with John Carlson, gives them a great one-two punch. Carlson, it’s worth noting, is one of the great defensemen in the league who is often overlooked but also makes this group a great one.
Suddenly, the Capitals have a complete defense with three great pairings. Rasmus Sandin and Matt Roy are among the veterans who add depth and leave the Capitals with no glaring weaknesses. They can limit opposing offenses while also stepping up at the point, and it’s helped the Capitals become one of the best teams in the Metropolitan Division.
7. New Jersey Devils
Key Skaters: Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and Johnathan Kovacevic
Depth Skaters: Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and Jonas Seigenthaler
It’s somewhat surprising that Luke Hughes remains unsigned. He’s a young defenseman who is progressing into a key part of the unit, yet the restricted free agent (RFA) doesn’t have a long-term deal. If the New Jersey Devils get him under contract before the season begins, which they should do, then this is a unit to watch out for. Johnathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon gave it stability and a physical presence in the defensive zone, while a healthy Dougie Hamilton made it great from the point. All in all, the Devils can have a defense that helps them secure one of the league’s best records.
6. Ottawa Senators
Key Skaters: Thomas Chabot, Nick Jensen, and Jake Sanderson
Depth Skaters: Artem Zub, Tyler Kleven, and Jordan Spence
Jake Sanderson became an elite defenseman last season, not only stepping up and standing out in the Four Nations but arguably being the best player on the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs. His impact across the board helped turn this unit into a great one. Moreover, Sanderson’s emergence as the number one defenseman has allowed Chabot, who is typically the workhorse, to play with less ice time and more quality. With Nick Jensen, Tyler Kleven, and the savvy addition of Jordan Spence playing the second and third pair, expect the Senators to have a defense that makes this team a juggernaut this season.
5. Dallas Stars
Key Skaters: Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Thomas Harley
Depth Skaters: Ilya Lyubushkin, Nils Lundkvist, Lian Bichel
There’s a cliche in hockey that defenses shouldn’t draft and develop two players with the same skill sets. The Dallas Stars prove that it’s just a hockey myth. They have two young defensemen who play the same way and do it all to lead their defense. Miro Heiskanen was in the Norris conversation until he got hurt, and Thomas Harley has been great since coming into the NHL. With Lian Bichel starting to become a regular on the blue line, this defense is expected to remain dominant and help keep the Stars near the top of the Western Conference.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Key Skaters: Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, and Chris Tanev
Depth Skaters: Brandon Carlo, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Simon Benoit
Bringing Chris Tanev in changed the dynamic of this defense. The Toronto Maple Leafs now win by shutting teams down and blocking shots, with Tanev setting the tone. They also added Brandon Carlo at the trade deadline to lean into that shutdown element. The Morgan Rielly contract isn’t great, and there isn’t a scoring presence from the point. That said, the defense is one of the best in the NHL and will allow the Maple Leafs to be a Cup contender this season.
3. Edmonton Oilers
Key Skaters: Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm
Depth Skaters: Jake Walman, Brett Kulak, and Darnell Nurse
Evan Bouchard, for all his issues, proved in the playoffs why he’s one of the most valued defensemen in the game. He takes the Edmonton Oilers to another level, especially offensively, with his ability to find goals where there aren’t any, and he has stepped up on defense as well. It’s why Bouchard got a big payday in the offseason with a four-year deal. With Mattias Ekholm being the stay-at-home option, it’s unlocked his game and allowed the Oilers to have a great top pair, maybe the best in the league.
The Oilers also have plenty of depth on their defense. Jake Walman was a great trade deadline add, while Brett Kulak is a reliable veteran on the unit. Darnell Nurse hasn’t lived up to his contract, yet he’s stepped up as well, especially in the playoffs as a physical defenseman who cleans up pucks in the crease. The complete defense is why the Oilers remain the team to beat in the Western Conference.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Key Skaters: Jaccob Slavin, Shayne Gostibehere, and K’Andre Miller
Depth Skaters: Jalen Chatfield, Sean Walker, and Alexander Nikishin
The Carolina Hurricanes have a great defense that only got better with the K’Andre Miller addition. Yes, there are questions about how Miller will look after a rough season (plus signing him to a long-term deal before he’s played a single game with the team) but he’s talented and fits right in with this unit while bringing more speed and skill to it as well. Jaccob Slavin is the leader of this group, arguably the best shutdown defenseman in the game, and people are starting to take notice. If Alexander Nikishin, who had a brief stint with the team last season, steps up as well, then the Hurricanes check all the boxes for a great defense plus some.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Key Skaters: Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, and Neal Pionk
Depth Skaters: Colin Miller, Dylan Samberg, and Logan Stankoven
The Winnipeg Jets have the best goaltender in the game, which helps out the defense, allowing it to play with more confidence (a mistake from them isn’t so costly). However, this unit has been remarkable. Josh Morrissey and Neal Poink have been great on both ends of the ice, while Dylan DeMelo is a great stay-at-home option. Everything that an elite unit needs, they have, from scoring at the point to defense in the neutral zone and their end. The Jets shut down opponents. They skate with the best of them. They open up the offense at the point and can score. It’s why this defense is the best in the NHL.
What Do You Think?
The best thing about ranking defensive units is that everyone has their own way of evaluating the position. Some prefer to have a unit that creates more offense, while others want one that is great on the defensive end, with everything else being extra. Likewise, there are plenty of defenses that are preferred because they have the speed and puck-moving ability suited for the modern game, while other defenses are a throwback because they have size and deliver big hits that have the crowd jumping.
All this is to say that these rankings are sure to leave some readers annoyed and eager to submit their own rankings. Do you think these rankings are accurate? Let us know in the comments section below!
Statistics were obtained from Hockey Reference, and rosters were available courtesy of PuckPedia.
