Who is every Metropolitan Division team’s best defender? A look at who the New York Rangers will be competing against in 2023-2024.
Every successful NHL franchise employs a true number-one defender. Who are some of the Metropolitan Divisions feared rearguards?
Jacob Slavin (CAR): Slavin’s smooth style and safe play often leave the Hurricane's steady defender as a player often forgotten. Slavin is one of the league’s best in his own zone, often placing in the top 20 of Norris’s voting, and taking home the Lady Byng trophy (NHL’s cleanest player award) in 2021.
Dougie Hamilton (NJ): Hamilton played in 20 more games in 2022-2023 than the year prior and amassed a staggering 44 more points. Hamilton is a dangerous threat in the offensive end, scoring the game 3 overtime goal against the Rangers in the ECQF last season.
Travis Sanheim (PHI): On a thin Philadelphia blue-line, Sanheim appears to be the best current full-time NHL defender. Marc Staal and Rasmus Ristolainen were stout defenders in their prime, but Sanheim will likely be the best two-way contributor for the Flyers next season.
Adam Pelech (NYI): The Islanders have one of the most reliable defenders in the NHL in Pelech. His positioning, gap control, and use of a strong stick to strip pucks away from opponents has quietly placed Pelech among the league’s best defensive defenseman.
John Carlson (WSH): Following a major injury scare last season, Carlson will return as the Capital's number-one rearguard in 2023-2024. The 33-year holds the franchise's all-time goals, assists, and points total. Carlson has recorded 60 or more points in 4 of the last 6 seasons.
Zach Werenski (CBJ): Another defender with a season-ending injury yesteryear, the Michigan Wolverines product looks to return to the mantle as the Blue Jackets' two-way weapon. He led the league's defenders in goals in 2019-2020 notching 20 goals in the pandemic-shortened season.
Kris Letang (PIT): Last season’s Masterton Trophy honoree (NHL’s perseverance award), the three-time Stanley Cup champion will again lead a strong Penguins blue line in cities seemingly endless last dance effort. The longest-tenured defender. He ranks as the all-time points, goals , assists, and games played leader in the club's 55-year history.