Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has been ranked seventh overall on NHL Network’s countdown Top 20 Defensemen Right Now, ranking the best defensemen in the National Hockey League, yesterday evening. The two-time All-Star finished one spot ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ three-time Norris Memorial Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and one spot behind 2022 All-Star Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins.
NHL Network’s Tony Luftman, Thomas Hickey and E.J. Hradek counted down the best defensemen based on player performance over the past several seasons, with an emphasis on the 2022-2023 regular season and 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On tonight’s countdown, Hickey said of Dahlin, “When he goes back for the puck, he’s got three options because he’s so deceptive, because he skates so well, because he reads the play so well, and he can escape by himself. He’s a one man breakout, so I think that’s what separates him from everybody else, I’d include Erik Karlsson in that same vain.”
NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now, 1-20:
- Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
- Adam Fox, New York Rangers
- Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
- Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
- Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
- Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
- Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights
- Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
- Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets
- Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
- Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche
- Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
- Hampus Lindholm, Boston Bruins
- Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes
- Mikhail Sergachev, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
- Brandon Montour, Florida Panthers
- Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights
Continuing next Sunday, NHL Network will unveil its latest edition of Top 10 Goalies Right Now. The player rankings will culminate with NHL Network’s five-part series, Top 50 Players Right Now, beginning on Sunday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Viewers can visit NHL.com/TopPlayers for videos on the latest rankings following each edition of NHL Tonight. Fans can use #NHLTopPlayers on NHL Network’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages to discuss each position’s countdown.