Ranking the NHL's Top 10 Workhorse Defensemen
NHL teams are constantly trying to procure defensive talent, and one of the truly valuable items in the game is a complete defenseman. A man who can play heavy minutes in all circumstances has extreme value for every club.
Fans often talk about No. 1 defensemen on their team, but the fact is there are far less than 30 in the league at one time. A complete defenseman who can play at even strength, power play and penalty kill—while performing at a high level in each area—is rare.
Here are the top 10 workhorse defensemen in the NHL this season.
10. T.J. Brodie, Calgary Flames
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How Much Does He Play? T.J. Brodie plays 25:06 minutes per game, slightly less than injured defense partner Mark Giordano. The Calgary Flames rely on Brodie for quality performances at even strength, on the penalty kill and power play.
Who Does He Play Against? Brodie plays against the toughest players in the league, and in the Western Conference that's a difficult chore. BehindTheNet.ca shows the pairing and just how strong their opponents have been this season.
How Important Is He? The injury to Giordano makes Brodie one of the most important players on any team at this time. The Flames are fighting for a playoff spot, and that will mean more minutes—and more difficult minutes—for the underrated Brodie.
9. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues
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How Much Does He Play? Alex Pietrangelo is a big part of the St. Louis Blues defense. He plays about 20 minutes at even strength and significant time on each special team. He is a complete NHL defenseman and is enjoying a strong season.
Who Does He Play Against? Pietrangelo plays tough competition, according to BehindTheNet.ca, and performs well under those circumstances. Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com shows Pietrangelo carrying 50 percent of the game in those tough situations, allowing others to flourish against lesser opponents.
How Important Is He? The Blues have a quality defensive group, and part of the reason they're successful is the heavy lifting done by Pietrangelo. He's a vital part of the St. Louis team despite his youth (25 years old).
8. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
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How Much Does He Play? Kris Letang is a major player for the Pittsburgh Penguins defense. He plays over 25 minutes per night and spends much of that time with the puck.
Who Does He Play Against? Despite Letang being a puck-moving defender and having explosive offensive talent, BehindTheNet.ca shows that Pittsburgh uses him against the opposition's best available players.
How Important Is He? Letang's exceptional puck skills, combined with his teammates', mean the Penguins are getting a major edge in play with him on the ice. According to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, Pittsburgh has 56 percent of the play in the opposition's end during Letang's time on ice.
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7. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
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How Much Does He Play? Duncan Keith is a big part of the veteran Chicago Blackhawks. He plays a large part in all aspects of the defense.
Who Does He Play Against? Keith's handling in Chicago is somewhat unique among top-end defensemen. He does not play the toughest opposition and does get a slight zone-start push, as shown by BehindTheNet.ca. As a result, he produces a lot at even strength, and Chicago has an enormous edge in play, via Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.
How Important Is He? The Blackhawks tailor their defensive deployment to Keith's strengths, effectively making him the pivotal player in the group. His offense at even strength was stronger last season—he finished second in the entire league among defensemen—but there's no doubt Keith's productivity is a major factor in Chicago's success.
6. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
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How Much Does He Play? P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens is on the ice for almost half a game, currently averaging just over 26 minutes per night this year.
Who Does He Play Against? Subban is one of the truly unique players in the game, and Montreal uses him as a weapon against the other team's quality players, as reflected by BehindTheNet.ca.
How Important Is He? Montreal uses Subban effectively in the offensive end, and he's a difficult opponent defensively. There is some chaos in his game, but that lack of predictability gives the Canadiens an edge in most contests.
5. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
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How Much Does He Play? Shea Weber is a massive defenseman who chews up major minutes for the Nashville Predators. He averages over 26 minutes per night and plays a lot in all three disciplines.
Who Does He Play Against? Weber gets the tough assignments—as shown by BehindTheNet.ca—and has been delivering quality play for years against the other team's top options. Despite the heavy lifting, Nashville has 50 percent of the edge in play, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.
How Important Is He? The Nashville Predators' reputation for being a tough team to battle against comes from Weber's ability to make everything difficult for the opposition. His shot from the point is among the best in the league, and his ability to win battles along the wall and in front of the net are legendary. Weber is a stud on defense.
4. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
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How Much Does He Play? Roman Josi is one of the least recognized impact defensemen in the NHL. His fine work for the Nashville Predators this season has been one of the key elements to their success.
Who Does He Play Against? Along with partner Shea Weber, Josi plays the best players opponents can send his way every game, according to BehindTheNet.ca.
How Important Is He? Josi's value comes in being able to handle the puck and defuse dangerous situations with productive passing and mobility. He's an excellent match for the veteran Weber, and the tandem is a big part of Nashville's success. As Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com indicates, Josi and Weber play together most of the time.
3. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
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How Much Does He Play? Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators is a unique and explosive defenseman who plays major minutes in all categories. He is one of three men in the entire league who patrol the blue line and have averaged over 27 minutes per night this year.
Who Does He Play Against? Karlsson plays tough opposition, according to BehindTheNet.ca, and he plays a lot against them.
How Important Is He? Karlsson is a dynamic player who can get the puck up the ice under control and in a hurry. He allows the Senators to spend far less time in their own zone. Karlsson's value to their playoff run is monumental.
2. Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
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How Much Does He Play? Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild leads all NHL skaters in even-strength minutes this season. He has an enormous workload with the team.
Who Does He Play Against? Suter faces tough opposition for the Wild, per BehindTheNet.ca, and is also heavily relied on for the power play.
How Important Is He? Suter is a perfect fit for the Wild. The team rides him in all disciplines, and he responds with terrific results. According to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, he and partner Jonas Brodin are over 52 percent possession players as a tandem this year.
1. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
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How Much Does He Play? Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings leads all NHL skaters in time on ice. His 29 minutes include almost 23 at even strength and close to four minutes on the power play.
Who Does He Play Against? According to BehindTheNet.ca, Doughty plays the toughest available opposition.
How Important Is He? Drew Doughty is one of the very best players in the NHL. He's on the ice when other teams are employing their best personnel. He plays those opponents every night, and according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, his team has a 56 percent edge in play. The Kings rely on him every night, and Doughty delivers.
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