Defensemen are the backbone of every NHL team. They're the last line of defense between some of the league's elite goal scorers finding themselves all alone against the goaltender. On the defensive end, players are expected to be physical and limit the opposing team's scoring chances. On the EPL Jersey other hand, they're looked at as quarterbacks on the power-play and sometimes lethal scorers on the offensive end. And now more than ever, NHL defensemen are more expected to produce on the offensive end. During the 2021-22 season, there were eight NHL defensemen that registered at least 60 points. Since defensemen are such an integral part of the sport, I compiled a list of the league's top 10 blue-liners. Career production, where their career currently stands and how they could perform in the future were all factors that were taken into account: 10. , DET D #53 Goals 7 A sists 43 Blocked Shots 161 Hits 151 It may be crazy to already include Seider among the league's top defensemen, but the Red Wings blue-liner has accomplished a ton in just one season. He proved to be an a set on both ends of the ice and cemented that fact by winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. At 21, he provides a physical presence and laid his fair share of big hits throughout his rookie campaign. And then there's his puck-handling ability, which allows Seider to dish those sensational pa ses that we saw on several occasions last season. The sky is the limit for Seider. 9. , Stars DAL D #4 Goals 5 A sists 31 Blocked Shots 92 Hits 52 He might not always be flashy, but Heiskanen has developed into one a great defensemen. He has topped the 30-point mark in three of his first four profe sional seasons, including a career-high 36 points during the 2021-22 campaign. During the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Heiskanen set a Stars playoff record with 26 points (6 goals & 20 a sists) while also registering the fourth-most points by a defenseman in a given postseason in NHL history. He isn't the type of blue-liner that will score 20 goals in a season, but he's an extremely smart defenseman. His vision in the offensive zone is some of the best around while still po se sing a very lethal shot when he gets a chance to uncork one. Heiskanen is as steady as they come. 8. , WAS D #74 Goals 17 A sists 54 Blocked Shots 112 Hits 73 Carlson is one of the more offensively-gifted Antoine Griezmann Jersey blue liners around. After all, he has tallied at least 70 points in three of his last four seasons. In addition, the Washington Capitals defenseman scored a career-high 17 goals during the 2021-22 season, including seven coming on the power-play. Carlson is also a tremendous pa ser that has a knack for finding gifted teammates like and in high percentage scoring chances. The 32-year old continues to be a stabilizing force in the offensive end, especially on the man-advantage. 7. , FLA D #5 Goals 15 A sists 42 Blocked Shots 69 Hits 62 The Panthers were the talk of the league after capturing the Presidents' Trophy during the regular season in 2021-22. A big reason was the dependable presence manning the blue line in the form of veteran defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Despite only playing in 61 games, Ekblad still managed to tally a career-best 57 points. The 26-year old's previous career-high point total was 41 during the 2019-20 campaign, which came in 67 games. He has never had a problem finding the back of the net, as he's registered double-digit goals in seven of his eight profe sional seasons. However, the a sists department was where Ekblad saw a large uptick (42). Ekblad has certainly vaulted himself into the upper echelon of the league's defenders. 6. , PIT D #58 Goals 10 A sists 58 Blocked Shots 122 Hits 171 It seems almost criminal placing a future Hall of
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