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Kevin Allen: 8 NHL defenseman getting it done without the fanfare |
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When you look at the top of NHL defenseman scoring leaders, you see Victor Hedman, Adam Fox, Roman Josi, Aaron Ekblad and Cale Makar.
That’s who you would expect to see.
The hallmark of greatness is consistency of excellence.
But there are other defenseman flying below the radar who are having noteworthy seasons and they are helping their teams significantly:
MacKenzie Weegar (Florida Panthers): He might be the NHL’s most anonymous big minute defenseman. He averages 23:53 for the NHL’s No 2 team in the overall standings. He boasts 15 assists and he’s +19. He's an effective, hard-nosed, smart, one-on-one defender.
Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche): New York Islanders fans are still sore that Lou Lamoriello moved Toews for salary cap reasons. They could still use him today. Toes is probably enjoying the best season of his career. He has 15 points in 13 games and he’s +15.
Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers): At 22, Bouchard is arriving as an indispensable defenseman. He plays 21:39 per game and leads all Edmonton defensemen with 15 points in 24 games. He’s +8 and owns a heavy cannon shot from the point.
Tony DeAngelo (Carolina Hurricanes): The Hurricanes took heat for bringing in DeAngelo. He was drummed out of the New York Rangers organization for insubordination. Most teams didn’t want anything to do with him. But given another chance, DeAngelo has responded with an All-Star-caliber start to this season. He has 19 points in 20 games and he’s +10.
Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers): At 22, Bouchard is arriving as an indispensable defenseman. He plays 21:39 per game and leads all Edmonton defensemen with 15 points in 24 games. He’s +8 and owns a heavy cannon shot from the point.
Ryan Suter (Dallas Stars): Considering what it cost to buy out Suter and Zach Parise, the Wild must have wanted them out badly. Parise hasn’t even scored a goal for his new Islanders team. But Suter has made a significant contribution to the Stars. He has helped plenty during their ongoing seven-game winning streak. He has one goal, four assists and is +4 during the recent surge. He’s average more than 22 minutes per game and he has 13 points. His poised is a big help to a team that will have to scramble to make the playoffs.
Oliver Kylington (Calgary Flames): He only plays 18 minutes, but he boasts 15 points and is +10 for the NHL’s No. 1 defensive team.
Alex Goligoski (Minnesota Wild): When the Wild signed Goligoski on a one-year deal worth $5 million, the prevailing wisdom was they overpaid. But At 36, he plays just under 20 minutes per game and leads all Minnesota defensemen with 16 points. All but two of his points have come at even-strength. He's a prototype for a savvy defender.
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