Welcome to the third edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings.
These rankings focus on analytics and the all-around ability of defensemen based on this season's results rather than just points or reputation.
- xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
- GF% = goals for percentage at five-on-five
- GAR = goals above replacement-level player
5. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 9 | 17 | 25:18 | 57.6% | 8.3 |
Previous rank: 3rd
Ekblad is having a stellar season. His production has tailed off a bit (three points in his last nine games), but his underlying numbers have remained strong, as he's posted an xGF% of 62.8% since the previous edition of these rankings on Nov. 30. However, with the way others on this list are playing, he may find himself out of the top five before re-entering the top three.
4. Charlie McAvoy, Bruins
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 5 | 15 | 24:23 | 61.2% | 5.3 |
Previous rank: 4th
If there were an award for the best defensive defenseman in the league, McAvoy would be the heavy favorite - along with Dallas Stars rearguard Miro Heiskanen. McAvoy leads all qualified blue-liners in expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five (xGA/60). The 24-year-old isn't one-dimensional, though, as he drives offense at a high rate and is playing at a career-best 58-point pace.
3. Adam Fox, Rangers
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 5 | 30 | 24:39 | 51% | 8.8 |
Previous rank: 1st
Fox's advanced metrics have teetered a bit since the previous edition of these rankings, as he's posted a 49.1 xGF% in his last 14 games. Much of that can be attributed to the Rangers' underlying struggles, though, as the team owns a 44.1 xGF% in that span. However, New York's xGF% is still an astounding 8% better when Fox is on the ice. While goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been great, it's hard to argue that Fox isn't the MVP of the team's strong first half.
2. Cale Makar, Avalanche
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 14 | 14 | 24:24 | 57.5% | 6.6 |
Previous rank: 2nd
Outside of Connor McDavid, is there any player in the league more electrifying than Makar? He's on pace for 44 goals, and perhaps none were better than his jaw-dropping OT winner on Tuesday. Only two defensemen in NHL history have reached the 40-goal mark in a single season: Paul Coffey (twice) and Bobby Orr. Makar has been strong defensively, too, as he ranks sixth among NHL blue-liners in xGA/60.
1. Victor Hedman, Lightning
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 7 | 28 | 25:10 | 58% | 8.5 |
Previous rank: 5th
Hedman has been a complete beast over the last month. Since the previous edition of these rankings, he's tallied 17 points in 15 games with a 60.5 xGF%. The Lightning are 10-3-2 in that span despite missing Anthony Cirelli for five games, Brayden Point for 10, and Nikita Kucherov for all 15.
Hockey's most elite defensemen have an uncanny ability to carry a team on their back when they need to most, and Hedman is doing it in heroic fashion right now.
Honorable mentions: John Carlson, Roman Josi, Miro Heiskanen, Morgan Rielly
(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)
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