Ranking the Most Trusted Defensemen in the NHL in 2015-16

The best NHL defensemen effectively cut the risk in half for their teams. Playing almost 30 minutes, in all disciplines and in all situations, these men are extremely valuable to their head coaches when it comes to managing games.

Some of these players have complete skill sets, others are more defensive in nature and still others drive the offense. All of them have extreme value and are central to team success.

Here are the 11 most trusted defensemen in the NHL this season, ranked based on time on ice per game.

11. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

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How Much Does He Play? P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens plays just over 25 minutes a night, down slightly from one year ago. 

What Makes Him Successful? Subban is an amazing player, one of the most noticeable in the league. A brilliant puck-mover with a monster shot from the point, he can also play strong defense and is a devastating hitter. Subban plays a style that keeps opposing players on their guard, further adding to his effectiveness.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? He has to prove it with a deep playoff run, but Subban is a bona fide No. 1 NHL defender. He has always been physically able to take on the role and has matured in recent seasons to become a more reliable and complete player.

10. T.J. Brodie, Calgary Flames

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How Much Does He Play? T.J. Brodie of the Calgary Flames averages just over 25 minutes a night in terms of usage, meaning he is a vital player for his team. 

What Makes Him Successful? Brodie fits the modern style of defenseman perfectly, using his skill, speed and smarts on offense and defense. He is a solid possession player on a team that has trouble in that area.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? The Flames have a solid defensive group with Brodie serving as a major part of it. If they can keep their major players on the roster for a long period, the gifted forwards who are just arriving may be able to help them get over the top. Brodie is good enough to play a major role on a winning team.

9. Jack Johnson, Columbus Blue Jackets

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How Much Does He Play? Jack Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets plays over 25 minutes a night and plays in all situations. He is active for three minutes on the power play and three minutes on the penalty kill on a nightly basis, with the rest of his deployment coming at even strength. 

What Makes Him Successful? Johnson is a terrific skater, one of the best in the league for his size. He does have offensive ability and plays a physical style.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? There are questions about Johnson as an overall talent, with most of the questions surrounding chaotic coverage and missed assignments. It is possible the Blue Jackets would have more success with Johnson in a lesser role.

8. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks

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How Much Does He Play? Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks is averaging over 25 minutes a night this year. He brings it every night, usually missing only one or two games a season. He sustained one of his few major injuries in October, as described by NHL.com.

What Makes Him Successful? Keith has the complete range of skills, including his brilliant skating ability that can be used on both offense and defense. He also has a flare for the dramatic and has been involved in many pivotal big-game moments over the years.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? The Hawks have already won three Stanley Cups during Keith’s career and his durability suggests he may hang around for a few more. His contract (13 years, $72 million) is one of the best value deals in the NHL.

7. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

How Much Does He Play? Oliver Ekman-Larsson is averaging over 25 minutes a night for the Arizona Coyotes this season. 

What Makes Him Successful? Ekman-Larsson is a substantial offensive player, reflected in his 23 goals as a defender last year. He is a rangy blueliner who helps grab more than 50 percent of overall possession when he is on the ice.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? The Coyotes are not a contender for the Stanley Cup at this time, but they are building a good team, and Ekman-Larsson is young enough to be around when the good times arrive. At 24, he is just entering his prime as a bona fide impact defenseman.

6. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

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How Much Does He Play? Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks is playing over 26 minutes a night so far this year. If he sustains that total, it will represent a career high. 

What Makes Him Successful? Burns is a throwback defenseman who combines skill, grit and a mean streak to make life miserable for opponents.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? The jury is still out on Burns and the entire Sharks team. He has played much of his NHL career at forward but has adjusted wonderfully to moving back to defense. His possession numbers suggest this is a terrific defender, so we’ll wait to see him perform in the playoffs if the Sharks make it. 

5. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

How Much Does He Play? Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins averages over 26 minutes a night and skates miles for the team. 

What Makes Him Successful? He is a very strong puck-mover and passer, and Letang possesses real offensive creativity. In a season where many Penguins are struggling with possession, it is one of his strong points.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? Letang was just 21 when Pittsburgh won its last Stanley Cup in 2009. He was a big part of it, but is a much better player now. The Penguins have their issues, but Letang is a fine veteran who is money when healthy.

4. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

How Much Does He Play? Alex Pietrangelo of the St. Louis Blues is playing just over 27 minutes a night this year. It is a significant increase from last season's 25:25 per game. 

What Makes Him Successful? Pietrangelo is a complete defenseman with the entire range of skills. This allows him to be effective at even strength, on the penalty kill and on the power play.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? Among the top defensemen in the NHL, Pietrangelo is the one who lacks one dominant area of strength. He is an effective player, but the questions about his ability to impact the game, like other top defenders can, will remain until the Blues win.

3. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

How Much Does He Play? Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators plays just over 27 minutes a night. He is also among the leaders in power-play time. 

What Makes Him Successful? Karlsson is probably the best offensive defenseman of his generation, and he has two Norris Trophies because of his brilliant offensive ability. He is also effective defensively due to his impressive possession numbers over several seasons.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? There is no doubt Karlsson is a bona fide elite player. His team has been in the playoffs four times during his career. The Senators need to improve overall defensively before they can be considered Cup contenders. When they are ready, he will lead them.

2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

How Much Does He Play? Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings is a major player on one of the NHL’s best teams, averaging over 27 minutes a night. 

What Makes Him Successful? Doughty has a rare combination of skill, grit and determination that elevates him compared to other NHL defenders. He plays major minutes in all three disciplines, exacts a physical toll on opponents and can punish them offensively.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? Doughty and his Kings have two Stanley Cups already, and he is just 25. He is in his prime now and, barring injury, will be a cornerstone player for one of the best teams in the league for a long time. 

1. Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

Jim Mone/Associated Press

How Much Does He Play? Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild leads the NHL in time on ice among defenders. He is the only player in the league to average more than 28 minutes a night.

What Makes Him Successful? Suter has a complete range of skills so he can flourish in any situation. He plays just over 30 shifts a night, greatly reducing the workload for his lesser teammates. He is over 50 percent in possession for the year.

Can His Team Win a Stanley Cup with Him in This Role? As a No. 1 D on a Stanley Cup contender, Suter covers the bet at this time. In some ways, this is shaping up as his career season. He is posting exceptional offensive numbers and playing substantial amounts in all areas of the game.

Advanced stats courtesy of Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.