Todd Cordell: Hamilton, Giordano drop in NHL Network's rankings of top defensemen

Not a big fan of Hamilton but Giordano is a better player than Ellis, McAvoy, Gostisbhere IMO. Morgan Reilly for that matter I would take over a couple of those names.

I don't think it's a shock to see guys drop off a list. Year after year you can debate the list the day it is posted. As it was the Flames barely made the list last year. Then you have other guys step up their game as well.

It's no different than looking at a top 10 list of NHL prospects going into the draft. There is probably 15 that could make the top 10.

When you are looking at top 20 d-men how many are in the conversation, 30? 40?

I don't think it's a shock to see guys drop off a list. Year after year you can debate the list the day it is posted. As it was the Flames barely made the list last year. Then you have other guys step up their game as well.

It's no different than looking at a top 10 list of NHL prospects going into the draft. There is probably 15 that could make the top 10.

When you are looking at top 20 d-men how many are in the conversation, 30? 40?
- Lahey

I'm not suggesting it was a shock, just that I don't agree with it. I understand what you're saying though.

I'm not suggesting it was a shock, just that I don't agree with it. I understand what you're saying though.
- ToddCordellCGY

Good, because I sure wasn't sure.

No Ivan Provorov? Who makes these decisions? 😶

Not a big fan of Hamilton but Giordano is a better player than Ellis, McAvoy, Gostisbhere IMO. Morgan Reilly for that matter I would take over a couple of those names.
-willey101

I'd personally take Ellis over a whole bunch of guys. I think he's really underrated.

And I agree with Rielly. McAvoy is gonna be really really good, but as it stands, Rielly is better right now.

No Ivan Provorov? Who makes these decisions? 😶
- flyersfanman71

Totally agree. Provorov is an outright better player than at least a half-dozen of the players on this list.

I think this is the year we find out just how much better Gio makes his partners look. If Brodie has a resurgence and if Hamilton struggles in Carolina it will cement Gio’s status as one of the top dmen in the league IMO.

As a flyer fan it’s funny to see ghost universally ranked higher on these lists than Provorov. Have to wonder how many other teams this happens with.

As a flyer fan it’s funny to see ghost universally ranked higher on these lists than Provorov. Have to wonder how many other teams this happens with.
- Just5

I'd suspect it's because of the 65 points. At the end of the day that's very elite offensive numbers and will give a guy a lot of bonus points.

Although Provorov being tied for goals is quite an accomplishment as well.

Why is Giroux not on that board?

For as good as Hamilton is, you wouldn't think a guy with those numbers gets moved around so much. Elite defenseman on his third team before 26, somehting going on there.

This list put Gostisbehere on there over Provorov. Therefore, take it with a grain of salt.

the fact that the devils have no one on that list says a lot

the fact that the devils have no one on that list says a lot
- cu45161

Odds are 11 teams won't have anyone on that list

Who from the devil's would be on that list??

the fact that the devils have no one on that list says a lot
- cu45161

There is no one deserving to be on the list for NJ. Remember, they took Zacha over Provorov

I just ordered the Calgary Flames Retro horse head jersey WOOOOO!! cant wait for it to come

No Connor Murphy or Brent Seabrook???? Blasphemy!!

I'd personally take Ellis over a whole bunch of guys. I think he's really underrated.

And I agree with Rielly. McAvoy is gonna be really really good, but as it stands, Rielly is better right now.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I love Ellis, but when you have Subban, Josi, Ekholm it's hard to rate how good he really is. What would Ellis do on a team by himself for instance. Still think he is an amazing talent though.

these lists are always awful. They probably only watch NBC games

I'm not suggesting it was a shock, just that I don't agree with it. I understand what you're saying though.
- ToddCordellCGY

These lists always suck. Jake Gardiner scored the same amount of points as Roman Josi and he plays better defense, but Josi is ranked super high.

These lists always suck. Jake Gardiner scored the same amount of points as Roman Josi and he plays better defense, but Josi is ranked super high.
- james_tanner1

With the panel they have in Mike Johnson and Dan Rosen I'm not surprised the list is garbage. The 31 in 31 series has been pretty bad considering it's an official group in NHL network that creates it. If I didn't know any better I'd say a surface level hockey fan gave their thoughts.