In this edition of the hotstove, we share our rankings for the top-5 defensemen in the NHL who are 22 or younger.
Todd Cordell
1. Zach Werenski
Werenski eats up a ton of ice, drives play, and has averaged 14 goals, 44 points, per 82 games since entering the league.
2. Ivan Provorov
He registered 17 goals and 41 points last season despite seeing very limited ice on PP1. Provorov looked really good when he didn't have Andrew MacDonald attached to his hip.
3. Charlie McAvoy
McAvoy was a very efficient point producer during 5v5 play. McAvoy was also strong in possession. Of the 14 players he skated 100+ minutes with at 5v5, 12 of them saw their Corsi For% spike when together.
4. Aaron Ekblad
I've never been sold on his 5v5 play away from Brian Campbell but he has been consistent offensively recording at least 12 goals and 36 points in each of the three seasons he appeared in 78 games or more.
5. Mikhail Sergachev
He was really sheltered with the Bolts but producing 40 points as a 19-year-old rookie averaging ~15 minutes per game is no small feat.
Peter Tessier 1. Provorov. He does not get enough press, period. He's really good and the best blue liner on the Flyers and league for his age.
2. Ekblad. While his underlying numbers are not as good as one would think he's still a beast and as Florida improves so will those underlying ones.
3. Werenski. If you haven't seen this kid play then you are missing out. In his rookie year he was dazzling now this level of play is almost expected.
4. Sergachev. I'm a little biased because Tampa is loaded top to bottom so is life easier for him- perhaps. He was a big price to pray for Drouin, maybe too big.
5. Hanifin. Calgary made a big gamble getting him whilst giving up Hamilton but they change their age gap, and still get a great defenseman.
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