The right-handed defensive position in the National Hockey League is somehow one of the most sought-after positions. It seems like every team can never have enough of these defensemen, and when they're traded or signed in free agency it's always at a premium, whether that be in AAV or assets traded for them. Seven of the top 10 highest-paid defensemen currently in the NHL are right-handed, which further validates that those who can play defense and shoot right are already at a premium. Which of these guys will be the cream of the crop in NHL 24 though?
#5 - Charlie McAvoy - 89
Charlie McAvoy's 2022-2023 campaign was affected by injury, as the Boston Bruins defensemen only played in 67 games last year, but that didn't stop him from putting up an impressive 52 points. The 25 year old Long Beach native cracks out top 5 not just because he's put up 50+ points the last two seasons, but also because of the potential he has. If he can continue to grow his game, we wouldn't be surprised to see him crack the top 3 in the near future.
#4 - Dougie Hamilton - 90
The New Jersey Devils took a big step into becoming a contending team last year, and Dougie Hamilton was a critical part of that equation. Like the team he plays for, he also took a huge step forward, improving his point total year over year by 44 points, finishing the season with 74 points in 82 games, the highest point total of his 11 year career. With fellow teammates like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt continuing to develop into top players, expect Hamilton to follow close behind.
#3 - Adam Fox - 90
Adam Fox cracks our top 3 list after a 2022-2023 season that saw him put up 72 points in 82 games, as well as 8 assists in 7 playoff games. The former Norris Trophy winner also capped this past season off with a Norris nomination, as he finished 2nd in voting behind Erik Karlsson, who took home the award. Adam Fox continues to prove why he's one of the best in this position, and with 146 points over 160 games the past two seasons, expect Fox to crack the top 3 for NHL 24 RD rankings, as well as have another strong campaign in the 2023-2024 season.
#2 - Erik Karlsson - 92
The 33 year old Swedish defensemen was consider by many to not be worth his $10 million dollar cap hit just a few years ago. He proved those doubters wrong by putting up a historic season in which he put up 101 points in 82 games, which is tied for 13th all-time amongst most points by a defensemen in a single season. While he may be the oldest on this list, coming off a 100+ point season in which he won the Norris Memorial Trophy as the leagues best defensemen proves the newest member of the Pittsburgh Penguin still has it.
#1 - Cale Makar - 93
To no surprise, NHL 24 Cover Athlete Cale Makar tops our list of predictions, even in a shortened season in which he put up 66 points in 60 games. The smooth skating defensemen may be coming off a down year in terms of point production for himself, but just the season before he was a Stanley Cup winner, James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, and Conn Smythe winner. Don't expect Makar to drop off at all, and if he can stay healthy don't be surprised to see another 80+ point campaign from the star blueliner.
It's no real surprise to see that the players that finished top 3 in the James Norris Memorial Trophy are in the top 3 for our NHL 24 prediction.