This is the fourth in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column followed by right and then left wingers. This article will be followed by goalies to close out the series. This list is where each player stands around two-thirds of the way through the season as the NHL is in the 4 Nations Faceoff break.
1. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche: (first in pre-season column)
The first three players all could be listed first, as each truly deserves the spot. I am going with Makar, who was the #1 d-man on this list in the pre-season. A case though could be easily made for Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski, each of whom should be a Norris Trophy finalist. Makar, who had that designation each of the past four seasons, won the award in 2021-22. The 26-year-old defenseman was one of the hottest players in the league over the last three weeks, racking up nine goals and four assists over his last 11 outings. He's now at 22 goals, 63 points (26 on the power play, two shorthanded), 175 shots on net, 91 blocked shots and a plus-18 rating through 57 appearances
2. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks: (third in the pre-season column)
Hughes, the Norris Trophy winner last season, led NHL defensemen in points with 92 (17 goals, 75 assists), primary power-play assists with 17 and even-strength points (54). He finished second behind Makar in power-play points (38) and was fourth in plus/minus (plus-38) among defensemen. Hughes missed the last four games and was forced to sit out the 4 Nations Face-Off with a lower-body injury. Prior to being sidelined, he reeled off a seven-game point streak. During that span, he had five goals and six helpers. The star defenseman is up to 58 points (14 goals, 44 helpers), 135 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and a plus-15 rating across 46 appearances.
3. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets: (unranked in pre-season column)
Werenski took a major step forward last season after being limited to just 13 games in 2022-23. He scored 11 goals and registered a career-high 57 points in 70 contests in 2023-24, tying for sixth among all blueliners with 45 even-strength points. Werenski has shown so far that he was just scraping the tip of the iceberg with that performance. He has 17 tallies and 42 assists over 55 appearances this season with 19 of those points coming on the man-advantage. Add in close to 27 minutes of ice time nightly and 93 blocked shots already and he is contributing across the board, warranting his status as one of the top three blueliners in the league.
4. Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers: (fourth in pre-season column)
Bouchard got off to a little bit of a slow start to the season. After the November 9 contest, Bouchard was sitting with just three goals and four assists through 15 games. Fast forward 40 contests and Bouchard reeled off six markers and 31 helpers in that span with 15 of those points coming on the man-advantage. Bouchard built on his fine post-2023 trade deadline production to increase his output across the board last season. He set career highs in every offensive category including goals (18), assists (64), plus-minus (plus-34), power-play goals (eight), power-play points (35), game-winning goals (seven), shots on goal (220) and ice time per game (23:00). Bouchard won’t match those numbers this season but is on pace for a solid overall campaign.
5. Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets: (unranked in preseason column)
Morrissey doesn’t generate a ton of publicity, but a look at his numbers each of the past three seasons shows he certainly warrants more. He was solid his first six seasons but always left you wanting more. Morrissey finally put it all together in 2022-23, notching 16 goals and 60 assists, following that up with 10 and 59 last season. He has shown those two campaigns were no fluke, tallying seven markers and 39 helpers along with 84 blocks in 56 contests this season, helping the Jets lead the Western Conference.
6. Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights: (unranked in pre-season column)
Vegas has an enviable top-four blueline crew. That depth will be needed as the team will be without Theodore for at least a little while as he suffered an upper-body injury, likely arm or wrist, in the first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Theodore has seven goals and 41 assists across 55 appearances this season, 19 of those points coming on the man-advantage while skating 22 minutes a game. His absence leaves a big hole on the Knights’ defense, requiring Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin and Brayden McNabb to raise their game.
7. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres: (tenth in pre-season column)
Dahlin’s overall numbers are even more impressive when you consider he missed seven straight contests and eight of nine in December. He took a significant step back last season after a career year in 2022-23. After tallying 15 goals with 58 assists the prior year, Dahlin’s offensive output mirrored that of the Sabres, falling off significantly, as he dropped to 20 and 59, respectively. This season, Dahlin has re-found his offensive game, notching seven tallies and 35 helpers in 46 contests, including 11 points in his last nine games before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
8. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning: (sixth in pre-season column)
Hedman is like ol’ man river, he just keeps rolling along. The second overall pick in 2009 draft, Hedman is in his 16th year in the league and has shown very few signs of slipping. Despite a mild slump heading into the break, Hedman is still having an excellent season overall with eight goals, 36 helpers, 125 shots on net, 92 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 53 appearances. He won’t match the 76 points he tallied last season, but Hedman has a shot at 60 or more points this season.
9. Adam Fox, New York Rangers: (second in pre-season column)
Fox’s overall numbers are solid, but those of us who watch him game in, and game out realize that he is not having the kind of season or impact we are used to seeing from him. Whispers that his leg, which suffered two knee-to-knee hits last season, is not fully healed, limiting his capacity to pivot and skate out of trouble. Despite having what is for him an average season, the 26-year-old Fox still. has four goals, 44 points, 97 shots on net and 76 blocks across 55 games this season with 16 of those points coming on the power play.
10. Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens: (unranked in pre-season column)
Several players could slot into this spot, but I am going with the rookie who exploded on the scene. Hutson has shown that he is the future top dog on the blueline for the Habs, and that future likely has started now. The defenseman, who was a second-round steal at 62 overall in 2022, is up to 41 points, 65 shots on net, 82 blocked shots, 31 hits, 32 PIM and a minus-20 rating through 56 appearances. Hutson’s plus-minus is unsightly, but don’t let that detract from what he has done this season or his upside potential.
Honorable mentions:
John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
Neal Pionk, Winnipeg Jets