In those eight seasons, he'sthird overallbehind Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson in total points among defensemen with 429. A skilled, young defenseman with considerable offensive ability, Quinn Hughes' 53-point performance in 2019-20 made him a finalist for theCalder Memorial Trophy. Sean Gentille:Dont let the multiple elements in play here confuse you; each teams respective goal is obvious. His defensive skills are good with an 85 in both shot blocking and stick checking and an 81 in awareness. Here, you will find the fastest forwards and defensemen to add to your team. Age: 21Rating: 86Position: Left DefenseType: Offensive DefensemanTeam: Vancouver CanucksShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 93 Puck Control, 93 Offensive Awareness, 93 Speed. But who are the best shutdown beasts that come to mind for you? Fact-Checking, Corrections & DMCA Takedowns, NHL 22 Fight Guide: How to Start a Fight, Tutorials, and Tips, NHL 22 X-Factors Explained: Zone and Superstar Abilities, All X-Factor Players Lists, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Grinders, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Power Forwards, NHL 22 Be A Pro: How to Build the Best Two-Way Center, NHL 22: How to Win Faceoffs, Faceoff Chart, and Tips, NHL 22 Player Ratings: Best Young Left Wingers. The fastest line to play in NHL 22 is as follows, with each player selected on their speed score and preferred position: Johnny Gaudreau (93) Connor McDavid (96) Nikita Kucherov (93) Quinn Hughes (93) Cale Makar (93.33). While he had no power play goals, he did have 19 assists on the power play. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR, John Carlson, WSHZach Werenski, CBJ (out for season). Tyson Barrie (David Kirouac / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Since 2013-14, he's come into his own as an offensive blueliner. remains among the top 10, sitting fourth overall. If you enjoy his writing, feel free to follow him on Twitter: @ShawnDoherty1, NHL 21, 10 Prospects To Draft In Franchise Mode, NHL 21, 10 Under The Radar Players To Acquire In Franchise Mode, NHL 21, 10 Tips To Win The Stanley Cup In Franchise Mode, Minecraft: The Best Level for Diamonds in 2023, Where To Find (& Catch) Thestrals In Hogwarts Legacy, Hogwarts Legacy: 10 Best Cloaks You Need To Find ASAP. The first version will reduce the player's Strengthby 5 points instead of Balance, andStrength is more valuable to defensemen, as it willincrease the power ofnot only body checks, but also shots. A gifted playmaker, he led all defensemenin 2020-21 with 42 assists and finished second with 47 points. The second version of this perk will reduce the player's Def. Age: 24Rating: 95Position: CenterType: PlaymakerTeam: Edmonton OilersShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 98 Offensive Awareness, 97 Hand-Eye, 97 Puck Control. Hes just good. His top rating of 93 is also present in deking, passing, puck control, and offensive awareness, while he has a solid shot with both power ratings at 88 and both accuracies at 86. All rights reserved. among Canucks regular-season scorers and third with 16 points in postseason scoring. Lindgren is also fourth at even-strength time per contest (17:16) and in blocked shots with 66. The 23-year-old McAvoy rose in just four seasons to become the Bruins' top defenseman. These perks can be used to either round out weaknesses in a build or highlighta build's strengths. Darnell Nurse, EDM35. Shawn has co-written and co-produced numerous plays, one of which was featured at the Ottawa Fringe Festival. The 6'2", 215-pounder logged a team-leading 22:26 of ice time per game last season, finishing second in blocked shots with 106 and fifth with 97 hits. Part of the New York Rangers' recent rebuilding process, Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox have been together since their first full seasons in 2019-20. He is decent enough at defense with an 83 in shot blocking, 81 in stick checking, and 79 in awareness. He also has an 89 in hand-eye, puck control, and slap shot power with the other three shooting ratings at 88. production (0.59) over the past two seasons slid to 24th among NHL blueliners. Adam Fox New York Rangers. Others, like the Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar, excel on the attack. Another big defender at 6'3" and 205 pounds, Pelech tends to play a more defensive role. The 29-year-old became the Dallas Stars' highest-scoring blueliner over thepast seven seasonswith 327 career points and is ninth overall amongall NHL rearguardsduring that period. Josi made his NHL debut in 2011-12 but came into his own as a point producer in 2013-14 with a 40-point performance. He has decent quickness with an 80 in acceleration, agility, and speed. Though sidelined by a recent injury, the 30-year-old has four points in his first three games whileaveraging 24:09 minutes per game. Two more had him third. Expect him to be reunited with Cale Makar and for the duo pick up where they left off last season as one of the NHL's best defensive pairings. It feels as if the Predators could potentially flip Barrie at some point. Mmmm that Yotes Avs series is still too fresh for me to agree there, It's that weird thing teams outside of california do. Victor Hedman Tampa By Lightning. Thats a down-the-road problem for a team currently out of the playoff picture. Awareness and Balance by 3 and 5. 4. Two more had him second. Last season proved more difficult for Hughes and the Canucks as theymissed the playoffs,due in part to a slow start and a COVID-19 outbreak. He could move up among the elite puck-movers with a strong outing in 2021-22. The season prior, he had ten assists and four goals in 56 games with Hershey, and one assist in six games with the Washington Capitals. He had five game-winning goals and two in overtime. He does have good defensive ratings otherwise with an 87 in stick checking and 85 in awareness, which may help mitigate his lower rating in shot blocking. He and his teammates also struggled defensively, giving up the third-highestshots-against per game(33.4) and sixth-most goals-against per game (3.34). We are the premier subreddit to talk everything hockey! As a sniper, if he has the puck, he will most likely accomplish his task, whether that be a pass or a shot. He is second to John Carlson of the Capitals in points-per-game average among defensemen since the 2017-18 season (0.83). With a minimum of twenty game played, here is a look at the top 10 NHL defenseman based on a PPG %. Brent Burns, CAR10. In other words, they didnt sacrifice either Evan Bouchard or Philip Broberg in the deal, two of their better young defensemen. Since last season, Fox has averaged a team-leading 24:43 of ice time. He has a fine shot, but his accuracies are paltry at 69 each. Age: 22Rating: 88Position: Right DefenseType: Offensive DefensemanTeam: Colorado AvalancheShoots: RightBest Attributes: 94 Agility, 93 Deking, 93 Passing. The 26-year-old rearguard netted 46 points in 71 games in 2019-20 and 42 points in 53 games last season. But the poke check is back and actually useful/pretty balanced. He's also the leader in power-play points (106) during that period. Why shouldnt it be the Oilers? While injuries limited Matt Grzelcyk to 37 games last season, he wound up seeing more playing time with McAvoy than any other Bruins blueliner. He had three game-winning goals and four power play goals. This I's a trick alot of people don't no and I dont like telling lol but if u hold out poke check with r1 and u press in r3 u get an added poke. This perk will increase the player's Shot Blocking, Stick Checking, and Def. He's netted 30-plus points three times and could be poised to put up bigger numbers as he enters his playing prime. No need to worry about 6 7 PFs with 88 puck control and balance skating circles in your zone. He has good senses with a 94 in offensive awareness, 91 in defensive awareness, and 90 in poise. Eight of his goals and 17 of his assists were on the power play. He became a key cog in their offensive attack last season, especially onthe power play. Lighting defensemen Victor Hedman tops this list, as he received a 91 OVR rating from the NHL team. Finding the right combination isn't easy. Playing a major role in those accomplishments was Victor Hedman, who. His stats with the Predators over the past five seasons back this up. Unlike Kukkonen, Montgomery is just 18. This perk will increase the player's Body Checking and Balance by 4 and 3 points. Nevertheless, Hughes finished third, Entering his third NHL season, the 21-year-old should continue to shine as one of the league's best-scoring defensemen. Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Age: 28Rating: 92Position: Right WingType: SniperTeam: Tampa Bay LightningShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 96 Deking, 96 Puck Control, 96 Offensive Awareness. The second version of this perk will reduce the player's Endurance and Strength by 2 and 3 points, and defensemen will need their cardio and strength more than their agility. Adam Larsson, SEA39. 3. Since last season, he's secondamong Rangers skaters in short-handed ice time per game (2:31) and inhits with 104. Since his sophomore campaign, he's been their overall leader in time on ice time per game (22:55). Fox led. What metrics best define value for scoring defensemen or "defensive" defensemen? Nashville, who are in rebuild mode now, gets a strong prospect, a first-round pick and capitalized on Ekholm while he has great value, and Edmonton gets a key piece it needs for the next few playoff runs. His physical skills could improve a little. Maybe Klingberg is in their future if they can navigate the cap complications. The physical blueliner is also their leader with 96 blocked shots and 52 takeaways, and he's second in hits with 136. He plays the right side, same as Roman Josi, last years Norris Trophy runner-up, so it remains to be seen how the Predators sort out the minutes and the responsibility going forward. among defensemen, and he's fifth in total points with 412 over the same period. Ryan Graves, NJD48. The 31-year-old's point-per-game production (0.56) declined over the past two seasons to 29th among all rearguards as the Kings rebuilt with younger talent. Rasmus Andersson, CGY29. Some are established veterans, while others are young blueliners rising quickly among the ranks of the game's elite puck-moving rearguards. Second question - CHEL menu UI is different but an improvement. "That means you're playing all the power-play minutes but also have to have the ability to play against the opponents' top lines. Hedman, 30, has played every season with the Lightning since coming into the NHL as a 19-year-old in 2009-10. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. This is a great deal for both sides. WebScott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock are tied for the most games by a defenseman this season, with 61 games. Inject some speed into your NHL 22 lines to get an edge against all of your opponents. Enter Search Term. Do the elite have to do both well, or can one aspect compensate for the other? He has a 95 in deking, passing, puck control, offensive awareness, and wrist shot accuracy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. He netted 33 points during his 2018-19 NHL debut, 35 points 68 games as a sophomore and 27 points in 55 games last season. Whether its Boston, Tampa Bay, Toronto, the Rangers, the Devils theyre going to have to play someone from the Western Conference. Predators retain four percent of Ekholm remaining cap hit/salary, Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 28, 2023. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. Good offensively too but nobody really talks about how good he is in his own end. 1 power-play also was included in the deal. Hes a big, highly physical winger, with good hands and some goal-scoring touch. Dougie Hamilton, NJD7. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season, becoming the only sophomore other than Hall of Famer Bobby Orr to take home that honor. All Rights Reserved. WebMost valuable options at position for standard leagues; new podcast episodes. Roman Josi, NSH8. For forwards, the search parameters were having a minimum of 91 in speed and acceleration with an 87 in agility. This perk will increase the player's Shot Blocking, Def. That suggests he still has some productive seasons left in him. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of the best young defensive defensemen in NHL 22. A gifted puck-handler who uses his skills well at both ends of the ice, the 23-year-old netted 44 points in as many games last season. Still, his point-per-game percentage over thepast two seasons(0.93) ranked second among defensemen with at least 100 games played. February 28, 2022 by Marko Zlomislic. The 24-year-old Werenski is a skilled and mobile blueliner, tallying 47 points as a rookie in 2016-17. Aseason-ending injurylimited him to 20 points in 35 games last season. 2. Whether you are rebuilding or retooling, finding your defensive stalwart of the future only bodes well for your franchise. He had a longer runway than other young players," Lidstrom told me recently, "but boy, did he ever take off, in every aspect of his game.". Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (INJ.)4. Required fields are marked *. Adam Fox, New York Rangers. His 0.67 points-per-game average is second to Erik Karlsson (0.79)during that period. Jeff Petry, PIT49. Those defensemen log the most ice time among their teammates, including in power-play and short-handed situations. During the 2019-2020 season with the Calgary Hitmen, he had 39 assists and seven goals across 64 games. Remember how that looked: Nashville was a borderline playoff team and Ekholm looked like one of the most-cost effective adds out there a player earning $3.75 million in the next-to-last year of a six-year, $22.5 million contract hed signed with the Predators, a deal that was proving to be a massive bargain. Then you've got Karlsson and Burns who, well, no. Age: 28Rating: 87Position: Left WingType: PlaymakerTeam: Calgary FlamesShoots: LeftBest Attributes: 95 Deking, 95 Discipline, 93 Speed. He needs vast improvement in his senses and puck skills, and a bit more focus on his skating. Stretch passes are long passes from the defensive zone into the neutral zone. The Golden Knights' patience in developing Theodore's game is paying off. Potential is not all that he possesses, though. Tyson Barrie Edmonton Oilers. His strength is a solid 86. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of the fastest players in NHL 22. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. 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All of which is a long preamble into why when Ekholm was finally traded after 719 career games in a Nashville uniform it was just another in a long line of complicated financial transactions that required some jockeying on the part of both clubs to make the dollars work. The players chosen for this list are all 21 and younger and chosen based on the grade in potential. His skating skills are a little better, but none are more than 76. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. He should remain among the league's high-scoring defensemen while skating with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If you want to inject more speed and quickness to your team for more goal scoring opportunities, acquire some of these players for your franchise in NHL 22. Unlike Burns and Karlsson, his point-per-game (0.83) over thepast two seasonsremains among the top 10, sitting fourth overall. He changes the complexion of the Oilers blue line and furthers their bid as a legit Stanley Cup contender. Bruce holds a Ph.D. in Education and formerly taught undergraduates as an adjunct instructor. He might not be posting 70- or 80-point seasons anymore, but Erik Bahls non-balance skate skills all fall below 80, albeit only slightly. Players who were ranked in the top 10 on each ballot were given a numerical score: No. They've since moved up to become the Blueshirts' top defensive pairing. Shawn enjoys discovering engaging stories, whether they be from movies, video games, books, or any other form in which they may be told. Cale Makar, COL (INJ.) Best NHL Defenseman: Points per Game. On offense, Kuznetsov is a dangerous foe. Team: New Jersey DevilsAge: 21Position: Left DefenseType: Defensive DefensemanShoots: LeftContract: $0.795M, 2 Years Left, Two-WayBest Attributes: 87 Slap Shot Power, 85 Balance, 85 Durability. He had four different primary defensive partners -- Jan Rutta, Dan Girardi, Jake Dotchin and Anton Stralman -- during his four straight Norris nominations. It's his offensive prowess, however, that draws the most attention. Eventually, the Oilers will get the injured Evander Kane back probably in about 10 days so their roster up front is probably deep enough, especially since playing 11 forwards and seven defensemen as often as they do just means more ice time for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (INJ.) Awareness while on the penalty kill. So Ive been using the dangler for all positions in 3s.