As the NHL’s 2023-24 regular season approaches, THN.com is assessing the strength of NHL team rosters. After examining the top five teams with the most formidable top-six forward groups on Wednesday, we highlighted the five teams with the weakest top-six forward groups on Thursday.
Today, we turn our attention to rating the league’s five best defensive corps. In descending order, here are my selections for the five teams with the most impressive groups of defensemen.
Honorable mentions: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues.
- (TIE) VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS AND NEW YORK RANGERS
Top six Golden Knights defensemen: Alec Martinez, Alex Pietrangelo, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore, Nic Hague, Kaeden Korczak
Top six Rangers defensemen: Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider, Erik Gustafsson
It proved challenging to differentiate between the top 10 defense groups, as the Blues, Sabres, Bruins, and Flames all boast valuable components. Ultimately, we’ve arrived at the conclusion that the Golden Knights and Rangers both deserve the fifth-best spot on this list.
Both teams feature elite two-way players. Vegas clinched the Stanley Cup last year, largely thanks to its imposing group of defensemen. On the other hand, the Rangers possess a perennial Norris Trophy contender in Fox, a tenacious defender in Trouba, and a young talent with a promising future in Miller.
The performance of the Golden Knights’ and Rangers’ defensemen will play a pivotal role in determining their season’s success or failure. Credit must be given to Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon and Rangers counterpart Chris Drury for assembling an above-average group of blueliners.
- DALLAS STARS
Top six defensemen: Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter, Esa Lindell, Jani Hakanpaa, Thomas Harley, Nils Lundkvist
The Stars are my pick to win the Stanley Cup this year, and a significant reason for that is the depth and overall quality of their defensive lineup.
With Heiskanen, they possess a player who is a strong contender for the Norris Trophy for years to come. Suter brings veteran experience and a gritty edge to the team. Lindell is an underrated force with excellent play-reading and adaptability skills. Hakanpaa, Harley, and Lundkvist provide solid depth in the lower part of the defensive lineup.
In sum, the Stars’ defense boasts a high composure under pressure, a talent for swiftly exiting their defensive zone, and the added benefit of an outstanding No. 1 goalie in Jake Oettinger, who can bail them out of any potential errors. While Dallas boasts a potent offense, their defense carries a significant share of the burden, allowing them not to rely heavily on scoring many goals in every game. The defense consistently takes care of their own zone, a crucial aspect of their overall game plan.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Their top six defensemen, including Dougie Hamilton, John Marino, Jonas Siegenthaler, Colin Miller, Luke Hughes, and Kevin Bahl, rank as the third-best in the NHL. We previously highlighted the Devils’ top six forwards as the third-best in the league, and their defense is equally impressive. With the veteran star Hamilton, the solid duo of Marino and Miller, and the promising talents of Hughes and Siegenthaler, their defensive lineup is dynamic and deep, poised for success in the years to come.
In the fiercely competitive Metropolitan Division, where three of the top-six defense groups on this list reside, New Jersey’s stands out as one of the finest. The Devils are considered a strong contender to win the Metropolitan Division and even hoist the Stanley Cup, and a significant part of their potential success hinges on the outstanding performance of their defense, propelling them to the pinnacle of hockey excellence.
- CAROLINA HURRICANES
Featuring Dmitry Orlov, Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, and Tony DeAngelo, the Hurricanes’ defense corps would have ranked among the top five even without their offseason acquisitions. However, the addition of veteran unrestricted free agent Orlov solidified their position as the premier defensive unit in the Eastern Conference and the second-best in the entire NHL.
With each of Carolina’s top six defensemen averaging over 21:49 of ice time per game last season, and five of them logging at least 22:00 of ice time, the Hurricanes possess exceptional balance and depth. In case injuries affect their defensive lineup, they have ample depth to maintain their standing in the upper echelons of the standings. If they remain injury-free, this defense could be the catalyst for a Stanley Cup run next spring.
- COLORADO AVALANCHE
Cale Makar is widely regarded as one of the best defensemen in the world, and the Avalanche’s entire defensive corps solidifies their status as the best in the game. Devon Toews has evolved into an elite force at both ends of the ice, while the 25-year-old Samuel Girard has a bright future ahead. Completing the lineup are Bowen Byram (who tallied 10 goals in just 42 games last season), the physical presence of Josh Manson at 31, and the reliable Jack Johnson (who averaged 19:09 of ice time last season).
Colorado’s defense is nearly flawless. They possess world-class talents, an excellent mix of youth and experience, and a recent Stanley Cup appearance to their credit. They set the gold standard for NHL blue lines and are almost certain to continue leading the way for all defense corps this season.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Euro Currents journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
