Top Five NHL Defensemen

Starting off with a negotiations update, we then get to our top five players who patrol the blue line in the NHL

By Andrew Miller

First, a quick recap of recent lockout negotiations. After a players and general managers only meeting, there was some initial optimism. However, on the third day of private negotiations talks broke down. Although progress was made, Commissioner Gary Bettman called the day, “an emotional rollercoaster,” to ESPN and said league would not extend out to the NHLPA, putting the puck in the players’ zone to decide whether to continue to hold out or work with the league’s latest offer.

5. Brian Campbell (Florida Panthers)

After experiencing a recent resurgence in his career, Brian Campbell just makes it into our top five. Known for his prowess in the offensive zone, the speedy defensemen left Chicago after putting up less than stellar numbers. However, last year he tied for the league lead in ice time while not missing a single game. Campbell injected life into the Panthers power play, ending the season a respectable seventh in the league, while playing responsible defense in his own zone, making him fifth on our list of best NHL defensemen.

4. Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild) Now part of the ‘big three’ in Minnesota, Ryan Suter signed a monster contract that he clearly earned as the fourth best defensemen in the league. Part of a power player duo with Shea Weber, he helped the Predators last year to a league best 21.6 percent on the power play. The Canada native is no stranger to letting the puck fly averaging five shots a game and he is equally impressive in his own zone with a plus 15 rating, sliding him into the four slot on our list.

3. Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins)

The towering Slovak stands at six feet nine inches…off skates. Almost seven feet tall laced up, Chara makes it to number three for multiple reasons. Yes, he owns the record for fastest shot with 108.8 miles per hour (he actually holds four of the top five fastest shots ever recorded), but for a big man he moves very well in his own zone. The Bruins captain clears the crease for his net minder as well as lays the boom down on anybody he can get to. Leading the league in plus/minus with a plus 33 rating, Zdeno Chara grabs the number three spot on the top five NHL defensemen.

2. Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators)

There should be no surprises to find Erik Karlsson on this list because of his unique ability to terrorize defenses while playing from the point. Karlsson had more assists, 59, than any other defensemen had points. In fact, his assists alone would have given him a six point edge on the field. Add on 19 goals and an offensive weapon is born. Playing like Mike Green did a few years ago, the Swede of only 22 scores on 7.8 percent of his shots while leading the league in shots with 261, both crazy amounts for a defensemen. Often criticized for his lack of skill in his own zone, Karlsson has greatly improved defensively and will continue to get better in the future. But for now, the current Norris trophy winner lands one short of the top at number two.

(Philly.com)

1. Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)

Easily sporting the fiercest playoff beard of this era, Shea Weber is the full package. His partner Ryan Suter also made it onto the list and Shea Weber is everything Suter is except better. Tied for the lead among defensemen with 19 goals, he was the only blue liner to reach double digits in power play goals. Couple in 26 minutes a game and a plus 21 rating and we get the best defensemen in the league. Although he has yet to claim the Norris trophy as best NHL defensemen, I’m willing to award him my top spot for his excellence as both a lock down defensemen and a prolific scorer. With Suter gone, the spotlight will lie solely on Weber, but my guess is he will only continue his dominant play, as he is the number one NHL defensemen.