Burns is a nice pick up to solidify the right-side depth (and perhaps take some penalty-killing workload off of Makar or Toews) and Malinski is a talented, up-and-coming, third-pair puck-mover.<\/p>\n
With all that said, this blue line isn\u2019t perfect. Girard and Manson form a good, but unspectacular, second pair that has struggled at times to stay healthy. This group is also a little thin on the left: Malinski is a right-handed player who\u2019ll likely be forced to play on his off side.<\/p>\n
Florida Panthers\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Gustav Forsling \u2013 Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola \u2013 Seth Jones
Dmitry Kulikov \u2013 Jeff Petry<\/p>\n
Extra: Uvis Balinskis<\/p>\n
Adding Jones at the cost of their backup goalie and a first-round pick, with $2.5 million in salary retention, was obviously a huge coup last season, but it\u2019ll also be a gift that keeps giving for the Panthers. Jones is signed for another five seasons at a $7 million cap hit that is only going to get more reasonable as the cap continues to rise.<\/p>\n
The rest of the cast is similar to the crew that won it all in June<\/a>, save for Jeff Petry playing the cheap-contract-veteran role that Nate Schmidt served in a year ago.<\/p>\n And for all the miles on his body, Ekblad is still just 29 years old and has more help than ever with Jones there to log big minutes and Forsling continuing to emerge as one of the league\u2019s best shutdown D in a system that plays to his strengths.<\/p>\n Dallas Stars<\/b><\/p>\n Esa Lindell \u2013 Miro Heiskanen Extras: Alexander Petrovic, Vladislav Kolyachonok<\/p>\n There are certainly some question marks on Dallas\u2019 right side, but we felt the Stars\u2019 top-end is so elite \u2013 Heiskanen, Harley, Lindell is arguably the best top-three in the NHL \u2013 that they belong in Tier 1 anyway.<\/p>\n Dallas was the only team besides Florida to have three defensemen appear on The Athletic\u2019s Player Tiers project<\/a>. Heiskanen is one of the league\u2019s best all-around No. 1 defensemen. Harley, 24, is a superstar in his own right, finishing seventh in Norris Trophy voting last year and impressing for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-off.<\/p>\n If Heiskanen and Harley stick to playing on separate pairs, the Stars can have a top-10 defenseman patrolling the ice for 40-45 minutes per game.<\/p>\n Lindell deserves more credit as a shutdown ace, too. Lindell handles very ugly, difficult matchups and usually comes out on top, regardless of who he\u2019s partnered with.<\/p>\n Is this group a bit lacking in depth after those names? No doubt \u2014 they\u2019d really benefit from another No. 4\/5 on the right side. But for those claiming that the Stars\u2019 blue line is too top-heavy to warrant Tier 1 status, it\u2019s worth remembering that they beat Colorado in the playoffs despite Heiskanen missing the entire series.<\/p>\n Carolina Hurricanes<\/b><\/p>\n Jaccob Slavin \u2013 Sean Walker Extra: Mike Reilly<\/p>\n Yet another interesting offseason blue line makeover for the Canes<\/a>, who lost vets Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov in favor of a much younger look centered on Miller and Calder candidate Nikishin.<\/p>\n Both Burns (who\u2019s now 40) and Orlov were clearly suffering from some age-related decline last year, so in that sense, the refresh could serve as an upgrade, depending on how well the newcomers acclimate to coach Rod Brind\u2019Amour\u2019s system.<\/p>\n They join a strong core led by Slavin \u2014 one of the best defensive players in the league \u2014 and the underrated trio of Chatfield, Gostisbehere and Walker, who all handily outperform their average annual values.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s enough to better handle their nemesis (the third round) will hinge on how ready for top-four duty Miller and Nikishin are by the spring.<\/p>\n \n Quinn Hughes is a perennial Norris Trophy candidate on the Canucks\u2019 back end. (Brett Holmes \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Tier 2: High-endVancouver Canucks<\/b><\/p>\n Quinn Hughes \u2013 Filip Hronek Extras: Victor Mancini, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Tom Willander<\/p>\n Hughes, a perennial Norris candidate, and Filip Hronek, an excellent No. 2 defender in his own right, are one of the best top pairs in the league, both statistically and by the eye test. Crucially, the Canucks appear to finally have a solid bottom four to complement their elite first pair.<\/p>\n Last year, Vancouver overemphasized size and physicality when building its second and third pairs, which led to a bottom four that was slow, lacked puck-moving skills, and was often hemmed in defensively. The Canucks have since made several moves to renovate that group<\/a>. Marcus Pettersson\u2019s presence as a valuable No. 3 has solidified the second pair and unlocked a steadier version of Myers, too.<\/p>\n Vancouver has an exciting crop of prospect defensemen who are ready to make an impact as well. Elias Pettersson, 21, was a third-pair standout down the stretch after being named an AHL All-Star and will be a full-time NHL contributor this year. Mancini, acquired in the J.T. Miller trade, is a 6-foot-3 defenseman who can skate like the wind and turned heads in preseason. Tom Willander, the club\u2019s No. 11 selection in 2023, could graduate to the NHL sometime this season, too.<\/p>\n Washington Capitals<\/strong><\/p>\n Martin Fehervary \u2013 John Carlson Extras: Declan Chisholm, Dylan McIlrath<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s bold blue line makeover helped vault the Caps back to respectability, thanks in part also to Fehervary and Chychrun proving surprisingly adept at executing in coach Spencer Carbery\u2019s system.<\/p>\n Roy likely has more to give after missing games due to injury last season, and Sandin\u2019s continued push for top-four minutes will be a key factor, too. So there is upside here.<\/p>\n Carlson turns 36 this season, so the clock is ticking. But this is a sneakily deep, capable and well-rounded sixsome<\/a> \u2014 making this one of the NHL\u2019s only teams with, arguably, six top-four-level D. Whether it\u2019s good enough at the highest end to handle the best teams in the conference, however, is a fair question after a lackluster playoff showing.<\/p>\n Edmonton Oilers<\/b><\/p>\n Mattias Ekholm \u2013 Evan Bouchard Extras: Troy Stecher, Alec Regula<\/p>\n Walman\u2019s skating, puck-moving, and secondary offensive punch were precisely what the Oilers needed to round out their defense down the stretch last year. He\u2019ll likely shift to his off-side and drive Edmonton\u2019s second pair this season, which will have a positive knock-on effect on Nurse. Walman and Nurse\u2019s results were terrific together in a small sample: 63 percent of shots and a 8-2 goal differential.<\/p>\n Bouchard is one of the NHL\u2019s most polarizing defensemen, but there\u2019s no denying his elite play-driving numbers on the top pair<\/a> \u2014 even in non-Connor McDavid and non-Leon Draisaitl minutes. It\u2019s also a nice luxury to have Kulak, a low-end, top-four-caliber player, as excellent insurance on the third pair.<\/p>\n Ekholm is the big wild card here; is he about to lose a significant step because of his age? The 35-year-old didn\u2019t look right when he returned from injury in the playoffs, though he may have rushed to return and been less healthy than he is now at the start of a new season. If Ekholm can still contribute at a top-pair level, this is a solidly above-average blue line. If not, there could be issues.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets<\/b><\/p>\n Josh Morrissey \u2013 Dylan DeMelo Extras: Logan Stanley, Colin Miller<\/p>\n Samberg\u2019s breakout as an elite shutdown defenseman last year was a game-changer for Winnipeg\u2019s blue line. He is a lockdown ace, a good puck-mover, and has underrated supporting offensive IQ. He\u2019s Winnipeg\u2019s equivalent to the Chris Tanev\/Ryan McDonagh\/Travis Sanheim mold of player.<\/p>\n Morrissey, who has finished top-seven in Norris voting for three consecutive years, and Samberg are an enviable one-two punch. The rest of Winnipeg\u2019s blue line is solid, albeit unspectacular.<\/p>\n Samberg will be out of commission for the first 6-8 weeks because of injury. That\u2019s a devastating blow because Pionk\u2019s second-pair success is somewhat dependent on having Samberg as his partner. The Jets\u2019 blue line will be significantly challenged in the first several weeks<\/a>, but if they can weather the storm of Samberg\u2019s absence early, they should be in good shape the rest of the way.<\/p>\n Montreal Canadiens<\/b><\/p>\n Mike Matheson \u2013 Noah Dobson Extra: Jayden Struble<\/p>\n Dobson serves as a fascinating addition to an already intriguing D core, with the potential for a 1-2 punch with Hutson that will make this back end an offensive nightmare for teams to handle night to night.<\/p>\n The Canadiens have some other nice, underrated pieces here, too, led by Guhle, who at 23 years old could take another step if healthy all year. Guhle\u2019s shutdown game will be crucial to help this group, which is otherwise tilted toward offense and puck possession, hold up defensively.<\/p>\n Dobson had a tough season last year, but if he can step into top-pair minutes<\/a>, it will mean others like Matheson and Carrier slot into roles they can excel in, making the position one of Montreal\u2019s key strengths \u2014 and this group, potentially, one of the top blue lines in the league.<\/p>\n Ottawa Senators<\/p>\n Jake Sanderson \u2013 Artem Zub Extras: Nikolas Matinpalo, Carter Yakemchuk, Donovan Sebrango<\/p>\n With Sanderson\u2019s swift ascension to a high-end No. 1 D, Ottawa\u2019s blue line has tipped over into the above-average category \u2014 with further room to grow.<\/p>\n Our model has this back end as the NHL\u2019s seventh-best from a defensive perspective, a credit mainly to Zub and Sanderson but also the massive upgrade Spence should provide over departed vet Travis Hamonic.<\/p>\n Once top prospect Yakemchuk is ready, things could get even more interesting<\/a>, as it\u2019s plausible the Senators could boast one of the East\u2019s best blue lines in the coming years.<\/p>\n Buffalo Sabres<\/p>\n Bowen Byram \u2013 Rasmus Dahlin Extras: Ryan Johnson, Zachary Jones, Jacob Bryson<\/p>\n On paper, this could be one of the East\u2019s top blue lines this year and one of the reasons for (finally) some sliver of hope in Buffalo. But we\u2019re being cautious here given, well \u2026 everything that\u2019s happened in Sabresland<\/a>.<\/p>\n We\u2019re high on the addition of Kesselring, who fills what was a massive right-side void last season, and Dahlin remains one of the best defensemen in the league. Better health from Samuelsson should help, too, and Timmins is a cromulent bottom-pair puck mover.<\/p>\n What Buffalo is waiting on is a next step from Power, the 2021 No. 1 pick. If he can emerge as an elite option alongside Dahlin, the Sabres could finally take a big step toward relevance.<\/p>\n Toronto Maple Leafs<\/p>\n Jake McCabe \u2013 Christopher Tanev Extras: Philippe Myers, Henry Thrun<\/p>\n What we\u2019re now calling the \u201cTree-fence\u201d due to GM Brad Treliving\u2019s love for length on the back end is also long on veteran savvy, willingness to eat pucks in front of the net, and contract term.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t going to be many Norris votes handed out here \u2014 in fact, the Leafs\u2019 blue line was the lowest scoring of any in the league last season, getting just 7.9 percent of their goals from the D \u2013 but it\u2019s a strong defensive group led by a top pair that handled tough matchups well.<\/p>\n The Leafs are also banking on a rebound from Rielly<\/a>, who will be back on PP1 duties with Mitch Marner gone and needs to be more dangerous offensively to earn his $7.5 million cap hit. A full season of deadline acquisition Carlo as his partner, and OEL serving up strong minutes on the third pair, will give this group some nice veteran depth.<\/p>\n They still lack a true No. 1 and aren\u2019t a great puck-moving group, however, which is part of what has made handling a team like the Panthers in the playoffs such a hurdle.<\/p>\n Minnesota Wild<\/p>\n Jonas Brodin* \u2013 Brock Faber Extras: David Jiricek, Daemon Hunt, Carson Lambos<\/p>\n Two X-factors will determine how well Minnesota\u2019s blue line performs this season: health and the rookie Buium.<\/p>\n On paper, this is a deep, talented defense that skates well, defends hard, and can move the puck. However, Brodin and Spurgeon have missed 52 and 82 games respectively over the last two years because of various injuries. Those two staying healthy is key to Minnesota\u2019s top-four being a legitimate strength, especially because it would lessen Faber\u2019s excessive workload, which would help him drive results more in line with a credible No. 1 defenseman.<\/p>\n Buium, meanwhile, is one of the best prospects in the league<\/a> and has a legitimate chance to be a Calder finalist this year. There\u2019s a chance he can instantly deliver top-end offensive value at even strength and on the power play, but he\u2019s still only 19, so there could always be some bumps in the road.<\/p>\n Vegas Golden Knights<\/p>\n Brayden McNabb \u2013 Shea Theodore Extra: Ben Hutton<\/p>\n The loss of Alex Pietrangelo is a huge blow<\/a> \u2014 it singlehandedly bumped the Golden Knights down from Tier 1 \u2014 but this is still a sturdy group, provided Theodore can stay healthy.<\/p>\n Theodore and Hanifin are a potent one-two punch. McNabb, meanwhile, is one of the NHL\u2019s most underrated shutdown defensemen \u2013 his plus-11 Defensive Rating last year ranked in the 98th percentile of all blue liners, according to The Athletic Dom Luszczyszyn\u2019s model.<\/p>\n We\u2019re also betting that one of Whitecloud or Korczak will excel in a full-time top-four role. Whitecloud played nearly 500 five-on-five minutes with Hanifin last year. In that sample, the duo controlled a dominant 58 percent of scoring chances and 63 percent of goals. Korczak, 24, is a breakout candidate. He\u2019s a big, smooth-skating defensive defenseman who drove really promising results in sheltered minutes last year.<\/p>\n The biggest risk to Vegas\u2019 backend is Theodore\u2019s injury history. He\u2019s played fewer than 70 games in three consecutive years, and each time he\u2019s injured, the Golden Knights\u2019 blue line suffers without his speed, puck-moving, and offense.<\/p>\n \n Will the Zach Werenski Show continue for the Blue Jackets this year? ( (Len Redkoles \/ NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Tier 3: Middle of the packNew Jersey Devils<\/p>\n Jonas Siegenthaler \u2013 Dougie Hamilton Extras: Johnathan Kovacevic (IR), Seamus Casey<\/p>\n The Devils\u2019 back end has plenty of depth, especially if youngsters Nemec and Casey continue to develop into NHL talents. They should get a chance to show they\u2019re ready for more with Kovacevic sidelined with a knee injury to start the year.<\/p>\n Finding minutes for everyone could be a challenge once healthy, and it feels like at some point New Jersey would be wise to deal from such a position of abundance to add up front. They have two strong defensive stoppers in Siegenthaler and Pesce, even with Kovacevic out.<\/p>\n It\u2019s fair to wonder, however, if New Jersey has a true No. 1, now that Hamilton is 32 years old with several injuries in recent years.<\/p>\n For now, the big questions are how Hamilton bounces back and whether the development of Hughes and the other up-and-comers<\/a> pushes some of the veterans into lesser roles. But there\u2019s a lot to like here even if that doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n Columbus Blue Jackets<\/p>\n Zach Werenski \u2013 Dante Fabbro Extra: Jake Christiansen<\/p>\n Last season was The Werenski Show in a big way,<\/a> as he carried the underdog Blue Jackets on many nights en route to piling up 82 points in 81 games and finishing as the Norris Trophy runner-up. (He even finished seventh in Hart voting.)<\/p>\n If that\u2019s the new normal, it\u2019s a heckuva pillar for this organization to build around.<\/p>\n Waiver claim Fabbro proved a top-pair revelation alongside Werenski\u2019s heroics, too, and Provorov-Severson is a meh second pair, albeit at an oversized cap hit.<\/p>\n The wild card here is Mateychuk, who got his feet wet in 45 games as a 20-year-old last season and even spent some time in the top four. He\u2019s undersized, but has enormous potential to be a difference-maker once he fully acclimates to the NHL.<\/p>\n If he takes that next step this season, bump up Columbus a few more spots in these rankings.<\/p>\n St. Louis Blues<\/p>\n Cam Fowler \u2013 Colton Parayko Extra: Matthew Kessel<\/p>\n Remember a couple of years ago when the Blues had one of the league\u2019s worst left-side defenses? That has become a strength in quick order with Broberg\u2019s breakout as a stud, two-way, top-four defenseman with size, range and plus skating ability, and the home-run acquisition of Fowler. Fowler scored 41 points in 58 games for the Blues between the regular season and playoffs, building strong chemistry with Parayko.<\/p>\n We are factoring in some aging risk as Fowler and Faulk are approaching their mid-30s and Parayko is 32. And while Parayko\u2019s coming off an excellent campaign, this blue line doesn\u2019t have a superstar, Norris-contending No. 1 defenseman. But overall, this is a solid blue line that delivered elite defensive results under Montgomery. If they can sustain those results<\/a> and\/or if Mailloux breaks out, the Blues\u2019 blue line could become Tier 2-worthy.<\/p>\n Utah Mammoth<\/p>\n Mikhail Sergachev \u2013 John Marino Extras: Dmitri Simashev, Maveric Lamoureux, Juuso Valimaki<\/p>\n GM Bill Armstrong made big splashes to upgrade Utah\u2019s blue line ahead of last season, but we haven\u2019t gotten a true idea of what the revamped unit actually looks like because Durzi (30 games played) and Marino (35 games played) missed so much time with injury.<\/p>\n Sergachev is a credible No. 1, and Marino and Durzi are capable second-pair quality defensemen, but this backend is missing a real, high-end No. 2 defenseman behind Sergachev. The Mammoth have a luxury of excellent depth options<\/a> between Schmidt (who should help replace the loss of Kessselring), Maatta, and Cole, so we could see Utah deploying two bottom-four pairs that play relatively equal minutes behind the Sergachev-led top pair, rather than distinct, clearly separated \u201csecond\u201d and \u201cthird\u201d pairs, similar to last season.<\/p>\n There\u2019s room for upside with Utah\u2019s blue line if Simashev, the No. 6 pick in 2023, surprises and provides top-four value ahead of schedule, but that remains to be seen.<\/p>\n Boston Bruins<\/p>\n Mason Lohrei \u2013 Charlie McAvoy Extra: Jordan Harris<\/p>\n How the mighty have fallen.<\/p>\n The Bruins appeared set to be their usual dependable defensive selves a year ago, but disaster struck on multiple fronts as they dramatically crashed out of the ranks of playoff contenders. McAvoy and Lindholm played just 50 and 17 games, respectively; Brandon Carlo got dealt to division rival Toronto; Zadorov never quite lived up to his beefy new deal; and youngster Lohrei struggled with too heavy of a load too soon as the carnage unfolded around him.<\/p>\n The potential for a bounce-back is here<\/a>, with a healthy McAvoy and Lindholm, but there\u2019s also considerable concern that this group is far more exposed with the team\u2019s suddenly very porous look up front. They\u2019ll need those two to do some very heavy lifting to course correct this season, and it may simply be too much to ask.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Lightning<\/p>\n Victor Hedman \u2013 J.J. Moser Extra: Max Crozier<\/p>\n Even as he approaches his 35th birthday, Hedman remains an elite mountain of a man, someone who singlehandedly pulls this cast up the rankings with his HHOF-level play. McDonagh, too, remains a key cog even at his advanced age, as he and Cernak have shown a nice ability to keep eating ugly minutes and come out on top.<\/p>\n As long as the Bolts\u2019 graybeards can still be as effective as they have been in big minutes, Tampa should be okay on the back end. Whether or not \u201cokay\u201d is good enough to do any damage in the postseason is a fair question, as the Lightning haven\u2019t been out of the first round since 2022. We certainly saw Florida\u2019s forecheck expose their lack of speed and puck-moving on the blue line last spring.<\/p>\n The loss of Nick Perbix\u2019s 14 minutes a night shouldn\u2019t sting too badly, but with the Lightning\u2019s other options being relatively nondescript<\/a>, it\u2019s hard to forecast any kind of move up or down from the mushy middle here.<\/p>\n \n Adam Fox helps form a terrific first pair for the Rangers. The rest gets ugly. (Ishika Samant \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Tier 4: Question marksNew York Rangers<\/p>\n Vladislav Gavrikov \u2013 Adam Fox Extras: Matthew Robertson, Scott Morrow<\/p>\n Terrific first pair. Ugly after that.<\/p>\n That about sums up the Rangers\u2019 back-end makeover, which saw K\u2019Andre Miller shipped to Carolina and Gavrikov sign on a massive UFA pact. Gavrikov\u2019s terrific defensive abilities<\/a> should mesh well with Fox\u2019s high end freelancing offensively, but cobbling together two decent pairings behind them may be a challenge.<\/p>\n Soucy, in particular, struggled after a late-season trade from Vancouver, and you may see Schneider, entering his fifth season, pick up closer to second-pair minutes as the season progresses.<\/p>\n Morrow, meanwhile, could be interesting to watch after he had a cup of coffee in the NHL with the Hurricanes last year before being moved in the Miller deal. He should be next man up whenever there are injuries and would introduce more finesse into a group that could really use another threat.<\/p>\n Nashville Predators<\/p>\n Nicolas Hague* \u2013 Roman Josi Extras: Spencer Stastney, Nick Blankenburg, Tanner Molendyk<\/p>\n The Preds\u2019 blue line has talent, but there are just too many question marks and potential concerns right now.<\/a><\/p>\n Can Skjei, who\u2019s skilled but had a nightmare first season in Nashville, bounce back? Will Hague, who\u2019s going to miss the start of the season due to injury, break out as a legitimate top-four player, or will he struggle after years of playing third-pair minutes in Vegas? Will Josi, at 35 and coming off a scary POTS diagnosis last season, still play like one of the best defensemen in the league?<\/p>\n We like some of Nashville\u2019s depth pieces like Wilsby and Blankenburg, and it\u2019ll be interesting to see if Molendyk makes an NHL impact this year, but this blue line lacks surefire bets in the top four.<\/p>\n New York Islanders<\/p>\n Alexander Romanov \u2013 Anthony DeAngelo Extra: Adam Boqvist<\/p>\n How much will they miss Noah Dobson? Last year may not have been his best, but that\u2019s a massive subtraction for a back end that is in transition as it awaits Schaefer\u2019s ascendance to a high-end No. 1 D<\/a> in the coming years.<\/p>\n The Islanders do boast one excellent defensive option in Pelech, and Romanov has matured into a solid two-way D who can eat more than 20 minutes a night.<\/p>\n The rest of the cast comes with big question marks after injuries and inconsistency plagued this group last season. If Schaefer can make a strong early impact to get into Calder contention and Pulock can bounce back, however, there\u2019s certainly room for upside here.<\/p>\n Calgary Flames<\/p>\n Joel Hanley \u2013 MacKenzie Weegar Extras: Jake Bean, Daniil Miromanov<\/p>\n Andersson\u2019s future and Parekh\u2019s immediate impact are wild cards that will heavily sway this blue line\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n We rated Calgary\u2019s backend with Andersson still on it, but there\u2019s a high probability that he gets dealt at some point \u2014 Flames captain Mikael Backlund publicly admitted as much.<\/a> Andersson isn\u2019t as dominant as he used to be, but it\u2019d still be a significant short-term blow to Calgary\u2019s top-four to potentially lose him.<\/p>\n If Parekh, an elite 19-year-old prospect, can even be 70 percent of what Lane Hutson was last year, the Flames could still ice a competitive backend, though, since Weegar is an underrated No. 1 and because Bahl emerged as a serviceable top-four option last season as well.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Kings<\/p>\n Mikey Anderson \u2013 Drew Doughty Extras: Jacob Moverare, Samuel Bolduc<\/p>\n The Kings\u2019 blue line was once one of the deepest in the NHL, but it\u2019s deteriorated to the point where it looks vulnerable.<\/a><\/p>\n Matt Roy, Sean Durzi, and Sean Walker all went elsewhere in recent years. Vladislav Gavrikov\u2019s free-agency exit this summer leaves a massive hole (he was arguably their most valuable defenseman last year), Drew Doughty\u2019s age is starting to show at 35, and by trading Jordan Spence, the club lost a quality depth puck-mover.<\/p>\n A bottom-four featuring Edmundson, Ceci, and Dumoulin seems redundant stylistically and problematic from a foot speed, puck-moving, and offensive skill perspective. Clarke potentially breaking out would be a game-changer for L.A.\u2019s backend, but there\u2019s no guarantee that he\u2019ll earn the coaching staff\u2019s trust defensively this season, especially because young players\u2019 development isn\u2019t always linear.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good thing that the Kings\u2019 forward group is such a strength because the D core certainly looks dicey.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Flyers<\/p>\n Cam York \u2013 Travis Sanheim Extras: Rasmus Ristolainen (IR), Emil Andrae, Helge Grans<\/p>\n There are some interesting pieces here for new coach Rick Tocchet to work with. Sanheim, Seeler and York are all very capable defensive options and underrated overall, likely because the goaltending in Philadelphia has been such a hot mess behind them. Even Ristolainen has bounced back after some difficult seasons playing too high in the lineup.<\/p>\n However, two things hold the Flyers back from a higher ranking here: The jury remains out on Drysdale\u2019s potential, and Philadelphia lacks a No. 1 offensive D<\/a>. But with Tocchet\u2019s structure and more saves behind them, this group could be surprisingly stingy defensively.<\/p>\n Detroit Red Wings<\/p>\n Ben Chiarot \u2013 Moritz Seider Extras: Justin Holl, Travis Hamonic<\/p>\n We are big believers in Edvinsson\u2019s potential, something he flashed more and more late in the year. And Seider\u2019s step forward was pivotal, too, for the Yzerplan to finally bear fruit.<\/p>\n But they\u2019re otherwise surrounded by a ton of question marks on a back end<\/a> that has too many overpaid, mistake-prone types who have been dumped by better teams.<\/p>\n Airlifting in Hamonic as part of the answer raises additional red flags given his well-documented recent struggles.<\/p>\n Seattle Kraken<\/p>\n Vince Dunn \u2013 Adam Larsson Extras: Cale Fleury, Josh Mahura<\/p>\n Seattle\u2019s D core has respectable names who can hold their own, but it\u2019s a mediocre group lacking in star talent<\/a> and actual difference-makers.<\/p>\n Dunn hasn\u2019t been able to sustain the 14-goal, 64-point breakout from 2022-23 where he looked like a potential No. 1 defenseman, while Larsson and Oleksiak have both lost a step compared to 2-3 years ago.<\/p>\n Montour shined in his first season with the Kraken, but there isn\u2019t much else to write home about. The Lindgren signing ($4.5 million x four years) was puzzling given his injury woes and declining play. Evans, 23, has interesting upside as a puck-mover, but he\u2019s expected to miss the first several weeks of the season with an injury.<\/p>\n \n A renaissance with the Penguins seems unlikely for 35-year-old Erik Karlsson, left. (Charles LeClaire \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n Tier 5: Rebuilding\/Needs improvementAnaheim Ducks<\/p>\n Jackson LaCombe \u2013 Radko Gudas Extras: Ian Moore, Tristan Luneau<\/p>\n We debated bumping the Ducks up a tier because of LaCombe\u2019s breakout last season, but there isn\u2019t quite enough surefire, high-end talent around him yet to justify that. The top-four right side isn\u2019t pretty with Gudas and Trouba, a couple of physical, hard-nosed veterans who are serviceable, but likely to get caved in with high-leverage roles.<\/p>\n Mintyukov and Zellweger could take significant steps this year, especially with Anaheim\u2019s coaching change. They\u2019re legitimate blue-chip talents in their early 20s. It\u2019s very possible that the Ducks\u2019 blue line could outperform this Tier 6 rating if those two can meaningfully break out.<\/a><\/p>\n Chicago Blackhawks<\/p>\n Alex Vlasic* \u2013 Sam Rinzel Extras: Matt Grzelcyk, Louis Crevier, Ethan Del Mastro, Kevin Korchinski<\/p>\n This Hawks blue line has some exciting young talent to keep an eye on<\/a>, with both Rinzel and Levshunov expected to step into big roles.<\/p>\n Rinzel dazzled in nine games late last year, averaging more than 23 minutes. The 21-year-old first-round pick will likely be Chicago\u2019s go-to offensive option and could become a Calder Trophy contender. Levshunov, the No. 2 pick in 2024, also showed some promise in his 18-game NHL cameo last season.<\/p>\n Chicago\u2019s backend has a bright long-term future, but the young D will inevitably experience some growing pains because of their inexperience, and the group lacks established, high-end players besides Vlasic.<\/p>\n San Jose Sharks<\/p>\n Mario Ferraro \u2013 Timothy Liljegren Extras: Sam Dickinson, Vincent Desharnais, Jack Thompson, Luca Cagnoni<\/p>\n The floor for San Jose\u2019s back end is higher than last year, when it iced multiple players who shouldn\u2019t have been everyday NHL defensemen. However, this is still a group that lacks<\/a> even a single true top-pair defenseman.<\/p>\n Our eyes will be on elite 19-year-old prospect Sam Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin. It\u2019d be a really encouraging sign for the future if those two, who figure to be integral parts of San Jose\u2019s core, perform well as full-time NHLers.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n Ryan Shea \u2013 Erik Karlsson Extras: Ryan Graves, Parker Wotherspoon, Alexander Alexeyev<\/p>\n
Thomas Harley \u2013 Nils Lundkvist
Lian Bichsel \u2013 Ilya Lyubushkin<\/p>\n
K\u2019Andre Miller \u2013 Jalen Chatfield
Alexander Nikishin \u2013 Shayne Gostisbehere<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2238263799-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Marcus Pettersson \u2013 Tyler Myers
Derek Forbort \u2013 Elias Pettersson<\/p>\n
Rasmus Sandin \u2013 Matt Roy
Jakob Chychrun \u2013 Trevor van Riemsdyk<\/p>\n
Darnell Nurse \u2013 Jake Walman*
Brett Kulak \u2013 Ty Emberson<\/p>\n
Dylan Samberg* \u2013 Neal Pionk
Hadyn Fleury \u2013 Luke Schenn<\/p>\n
Kaiden Guhle \u2013 Lane Hutson
Arber Xhekaj \u2013 Alexandre Carrier<\/p>\n
Thomas Chabot \u2013 Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven \u2013 Jordan Spence<\/p>\n
Owen Power* \u2013 Michael Kesselring*
Mattias Samuelsson* \u2013 Conor Timmins<\/p>\n
Morgan Rielly \u2013 Brandon Carlo
Oliver Ekman-Larsson \u2013 Simon Benoit<\/p>\n
Zeev Buium \u2013 Jared Spurgeon
Jake Middleton \u2013 Zach Bogosian<\/p>\n
Noah Hanifin \u2013 Zach Whitecloud
Jeremy Lauzon \u2013 Kaedan Korczak<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2211156530-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Luke Hughes \u2013 Brett Pesce
Brenden Dillon \u2013 Simon Nemec<\/p>\n
Ivan Provorov \u2013 Damon Severson
Denton Mateychuk \u2013 Erik Gudbranson<\/p>\n
Philip Broberg \u2013 Justin Faulk
Tyler Tucker \u2013 Logan Mailloux<\/p>\n
Ian Cole \u2013 Sean Durzi
Nate Schmidt \u2013 Olli Maatta<\/p>\n
Hampus Lindholm \u2013 Andrew Peeke
Nikita Zadorov \u2013 Henri Jokiharju<\/p>\n
Ryan McDonagh \u2013 Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg \u2013 Darren Raddysh<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2237024758-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Carson Soucy \u2013 Will Borgen
Urho Vaakanainen \u2013 Braden Schneider<\/p>\n
Brady Skjei \u2013 Nick Perbix
Adam Wilsby \u2013 Justin Barron<\/p>\n
Adam Pelech \u2013 Ryan Pulock
Matthew Schaefer \u2013 Scott Mayfield<\/p>\n
Kevin Bahl \u2013 Rasmus Andersson
Brayden Pachal \u2013 Zayne Parekh<\/p>\n
Joel Edmundson \u2013 Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin \u2013 Cody Ceci<\/p>\n
Nick Seeler \u2013 Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula \u2013 Noah Juulsen<\/p>\n
Albert Johansson \u2013 Simon Edvinsson
Erik Gustafsson \u2013 Jacob Bernard-Docker<\/p>\n
Jamie Oleksiak \u2013 Brandon Montour*
Ryan Lindgren \u2013 Ryker Evans*<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/USATSI_25921336-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Olen Zellweger \u2013 Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov \u2013 Drew Helleson<\/p>\n
Wyatt Kaiser \u2013 Artyom Levshunov
Nolan Allan \u2013 Connor Murphy<\/p>\n
Nick Leddy \u2013 John Klingberg
Shakir Mukhamadullin \u2013 Dmitry Orlov<\/p>\n
Kris Letang \u2013 Connor Clifton
Owen Pickering \u2013 Matt Dumba<\/p>\n