The NHL has plenty of talented defensemen across the league, maybe more than ever, but there is always a debate about who falls into the top 10 when it comes to rankings.
When making a top 10 list, there are always plenty of factors when it comes to who makes it onto the list, but looking at both offensive and defensive capabilities, here are the top 10 defensemen in the NHL for 2025-26.
10. Jaccob Slavin
There is a good argument for Jaccob Slavin in the conversation of the best pure defensive player in the NHL. His defensive impacts are impeccable, and he has started to elevate his offensive game lately as well. Slavin has received Norris Trophy votes in nine straight seasons, which is every year outside of his rookie season, where he also earned Calder Trophy votes. Slavin is such an underrated defenseman and could arguably be much higher on this list.
Not many players can read the game as Slavin does. He is always reliable, can shut down the opposing rush, and has great zone exit numbers. Slavin is a perfect package for a number-one defenseman, even without the elite point totals.
9. Lane Hutson
After emerging as one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL as a rookie, Lane Hutson has done a great job of rounding out his game. He added a great level to his defensive play, and with that, his overall play has been getting much more recognition.
Even after acquiring Noah Dobson, Hutson is playing more minutes than anybody else with the Montreal Canadiens, except for Mike Matheson, who gets time on the penalty kill. Hutson is obviously thriving offensively, scoring over a point per game at the time of this list, and he could still take another step, seeing as he is just a sophomore.
8. Josh Morrissey
Since his emergence as a true elite defenseman, Josh Morrissey has been a huge factor for the Winnipeg Jets, who, not by coincidence, have been very good over that span as well. Morrissey has always been a strong two-way defender. While he isn’t at the same level as Slavin defensively or puts up as many points as everyone else, he offers a great balance between the two.
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Morrissey is on pace for his fourth straight 60-point season with 42 points through 56 games. The Jets’ blue line is a very strong group, but none stand out as a true elite defenseman the way he does. Morrissey has put himself into that conversation over the past three seasons, earning Norris Trophy votes in each season, and finishing seventh or higher each year, and top-five twice.
7. Miro Heiskanen
Miro Heiskanen has bounced up and down this list, but has been a regular in the top 10. The Dallas Stars are an unbelievable team and are looking to take home the Stanley Cup with their current core. Heiskanen is a big part of that group, and similar to Morrissey, he brings a fantastic mix of both offense and defense.
Nobody would be shocked to see Heiskanen post a 90-point season on top of elite defensive play, but he is usually good for 60-70 points in a full season.
6. Adam Fox
The New York Rangers are in a pretty rough position, but that shouldn’t stain the talents that Adam Fox has. Being left off the United States’ Olympic team is a big hit to his stock, though he has still shown many times that he belongs on this list.
He is still one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL, with his lowest total over the past five seasons being 61, and that was a major outlier. On top of the offense, he is still a strong defender. There is a lot of doom and gloom around the Rangers, but Fox really has been a bright spot.
5. Jake Sanderson
Jake Sanderson has a ton of great skills. His stick-checking is excellent, his read on defensive plays is strong, and his offensive play has been improving year after year. On top of all of that, Sanderson has some of the best skating in the NHL.
While he may never challenge the 90-point mark, which is a truly elite category of offensive defensemen, he will push for 70 points this season, and likely many more moving forward. The fact that his ability to score 70 points, with offense being secondary to his defensive play, is truly special. He certainly has a Norris Trophy in his future.
4. Rasmus Dahlin
The Buffalo Sabres finally seem to have taken a huge step, and Rasmus Dahlin has been a huge part of that, as he has emerged as the elite number-one defenseman that was expected when he was drafted. He has cemented himself as a staple in the Norris Trophy conversation by taking charge of his role.
Whether you want to look at goals, assists, points, advanced stats, whatever it is, Dahlin impresses with his numbers in nearly every category. His skating, whether he has the puck or is playing defensively, is one of the highlights of his game, and all around, there are not many who play as he does.
3. Zach Werenski
Arguably the biggest breakout star of the 2024-25 season, Zach Werenski was a huge part of the push for the playoffs the Columbus Blue Jackets were on. He finished second in Norris Trophy voting last season and seventh in Hart Trophy voting. It was a flawless season for Werenski, who even dominated at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament and has played well at the Olympics, too.
Werenski is leading the Blue Jackets on an inspiring push for a playoff spot, scoring at an unbelievable pace, and, again, should be in the running for the Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy.
2. Quinn Hughes
Since joining the Minnesota Wild, Quinn Hughes has been playing some of the best hockey of his career. Considering he was already at number two on this list, and he took a bigger step, the gap between he and Cale Makar is closing.
Through 26 games with the Wild, Hughes has already set multiple franchise records for defensemen. While they don’t have a storied history of elite defensemen, especially with an offensive mindset, he has still performed very well. He turned the Wild into a true Stanley Cup contender.
1. Cale Makar
Cale Makar has done everything that has ever been asked of him and more. While this list is about the top defensemen for this season, winning a Hobey Baker, Conn Smythe, Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies, and a Stanley Cup, all before turning 27, he is certainly the one to top this list.
Makar is what makes the Colorado Avalanche a perennial contender, and whether it be in the regular season, playoffs, 4 Nations Face-Off, or as he is doing in the Olympics, or any other hockey, odds are, Makar is the best player on the ice. There aren’t many players above him, though he is neck-and-neck with teammate Nathan MacKinnon in the race for the top players in the league.
