Evan’s NHL Daily: Rantanen Goes Postal, Wild D-Men Ranking

Did you know the NHL keeps track of shots off the goal post? I certainly didn’t, but apparently they did, at least in 2023-24, and one Avalanche forward was among the lead leaders in posts hit. I’m assuming by the title that you can guess who I’m talking about.

For the most part, these NHL Network rankings of the top players at every position have been just fine and gone by without too much controversy. However, their ranking of the top 20 defensemen in the league from Wednesday night had some interesting choices in it, including ranking a surefire top 5 defenseman all the way down at 8.

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It wouldn’t surprise me if he opens camp limited and working on his own, but it’s a great sign that Artturi Lehkonen is already on the ice and taking shots after shoulder surgery.

News And Rumors

X: NHL Network released their list of the top 20 defensemen in the NHL, and it’s not really a surprise that Cale Makar is still ranked number one. Even in a down year he was well above a point-per-game. However, the rest of the list raises a lot of eyebrows…

Here they are!

What do you think of our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list? @NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/UL0i1xtwWf

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 29, 2024

Let’s start at 3. Victor Hedman was an elite defenseman for a lot of years, but he’s taken a step back the last few years, and statistically, he really struggled defensively last year. Struggled might even be putting it lightly, as he was near the bottom of the league in defensive impact. He shouldn’t be ranked that high anymore.

Then you get to 6 and Gustav Forsling. A great defenseman and a great season, but that seems like a Stanley Cup bump if I’ve ever seen one.

Adam Fox at 8 is criminal. He’s a top 5 defenseman who battled through injuries all year long. Even then, he still put up a point-per-game. After that, it gets a little less controversial, but I’d probably have Werenski and Hanifin lower, with Dobson a little higher. I also wouldn’t even have Seider on my list. After his great rookie season, he hasn’t really done a whole lot, although Detroit hasn’t given him much help on that blueline.

What are your thoughts on these rankings?

The Hockey News: Yes, the NHL keeps track of who hits the post and who doesn’t, and apparently Mikko Rantanen was among the lead leaders in posts hit. His 18 posts was second to Auston Matthews last season.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: After wanting out of Winnipeg, Rutger McGroarty is saying he’s got to earn a spot a the NHL level with the Penguins.

San Jose Hockey Now: He’s gone back to the KHL, but not after taking a few swings at how the San Jose Sharks played hockey the last few seasons. Alex Barabanov is probably not wrong, either.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Professor and Nikolai Kovalenko’s old coach in the KHL apparently turned down a job in the NHL. It would be interesting to see what Igor Larionov or any foreign coach could do.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Might be time to add another team to the streaming list, as the New Jersey Devils might be headed there as well.