CoreNHL's 10 Best Defenseman From The 2024-25 NHL Season
CoreNHL's Michael Ostrower put together the model's 10 best defenseman from the 2024-25 NHL season in terms of value brought per game
Honorable Mentions
Gustav Forsling, Devon Toews, Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev
10. Philip Broberg
Philip Broberg (LD): 8 goals, 21 assists, 29 points in 68 games
Philip Broberg was more than just a successful offer sheet; he was an elite defenseman for the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25.
The former Edmonton Oiler was on the ice for fewer xGA per 60 minutes at 5v5 than notable defensive defenseman like Jalen Chatfield, Travis Sanheim, Brett Pesce, and Jaccob Slavin, and tasked against elite competition more than stars like Victor Hedman, Mattias Ekholm, Shea Theodore, and Alex Pietrangelo, according to PuckIQ.
The Blues had Broberg start more shifts in the defensive zone than offensive zone while also relying on him to eat big minutes following major injuries to some of his Blues teammates.
Broberg also flourished offensively, scoring more goals per 60 minutes than defenseman like Josh Morrissey, Vince Dunn, and Erik Karlsson at 5v5, as well as more primary assists per 60 minutes than Morrissey, Karlsson, and Brent Burns.
Broberg struggled on the power play, recording just two assists — both secondary — all season, but it was his first time as a regular on the man advantage in his NHL career, so he will likely improve his production as he ages.
While remaining a top-10 NHL defenseman would be a tall ask, Broberg’s underlying metrics are incredibly encouraging, suggesting the Blues may have a star for the next decade.
9. Josh Morrissey
Josh Morrissey (LD): 14 goals, 48 assists, 62 points in 80 games
The Winnipeg Jets had the best power play in the NHL in 2024-25, and Morrissey’s 22 power play points were a large reason why.
He quarterbacked their top unit, seamlessly facilitating play from the point.
However, he is capable of much more, having just 30 points, 12 of which were secondary assists, at 5v5.
Defensively, Morrissey once again was strong, on the ice for just 2.31 xGA per 60, according to Natural Stat Trick, but his game was a tier or two below those ahead of him on this list.
If the Jets hope to take the next step in 2025-26, Morrissey’s 5v5 production will need to improve, but there is no reason to believe he won’t take that leap.
8. Jaccob Slavin
Jaccob Slavin (LD): 6 goals, 21 assists, 27 points in 80 games
There is not much to be said about Slavin, especially after his impressive performance for the United States at the 4-Nations Face Off in February.
No matter who the Carolina Hurricanes are playing, Slavin shuts down the opposition with impressive awareness, instincts, stickwork, and relentless pressure.
Signed at a $6,395,955 million annual cap hit through 2033, the Canes have locked-in one of hockey’s best defensive defenseman.
7. Evan Bouchard
Evan Bouchard (RD): 14 goals, 53 assists, 67 points in 82 games
Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard is one of the most polarizing players in the NHL, and for good reason.
When he is on his game, he is unstoppable, even without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Yet, Bouchard’s mistakes often come at the worst times, leading fans to put more weight on his mistakes than the typical player.
Regardless, he was a dominant offensive player in 2024-25 — both at 5v5 and the power play — and his defense and discipline were a net positive.
Due for a new contract, Bouchard’s next deal could land north of a $10 million annual cap hit.
6. Adam Fox
Adam Fox (RD): 10 goals, 51 assists, 61 points in 74 games
The New York Rangers were one of the worst defensive teams in 2024-25, conceding 184.6 expected goals at 5v5, the sixth worst in that category in the NHL, per MoneyPuck.
Despite this, Adam Fox was once again a major bright spot, both offensively and defensively, leading Rangers defenseman in on-ice GF/60 (3.18), xGF/60 (3.03), and xGA/60 (2.41) at 5v5.
With a revolving door of blue liners due to injuries and trades, Fox was tasked with carrying the group, and he did just that, ranking first in TOI per game (23:14), 1:18 higher than the next closest skater.
With Mike Sullivan as the Rangers’ new bench boss and roster changes expected this offseason, New York will build around one of hockey’s best defenseman.
5. Colton Parayko
Colton Parayko (RD): 16 goals, 20 assists, 36 points in 64 games
The Blues had a magical 2024-25 season, and Colton Parayko was a key reason why.
Parayko’s 0.62 goals per 60 minutes at 5v5 led all NHL defenseman (min. 250 TOI), and his 1.28 points per 60 minutes ranked 19th.
While his defense was strong, not spectacular, Parayko’s high placement comes from his overall impact.
His 5.88 blocked shots per 60 minutes were top 30 among NHL defenseman, and he was on the ice for just 2.4 xGA per 60 minutes.
He racked up 464.1 minutes against elite competition, ranking fifth in TOI vs elite competition per game (7:15) and ninth in percentage of TOI vs elite competition (36.6%), showing he not only won his minutes, but he did so against the league’s best.
He also drew more PIM than taken and had the second-lowest PIM per 60 minutes on the entire Blues roster (0.32).
4. Rasmus Dahlin
Rasmus Dahlin (LD): 17 goals, 51 assists, 68 points in 73 games
On the struggling Buffalo Sabres, Rasmus Dahlin continued to dominate.
The Swede averaged over 24 minutes per game for the fourth straight season and shot 8.5%, tying his career high.
At 5v5, Buffalo’s captain finished the season with a 58.3 G%, one of just two Sabres defenseman with 50% or higher in the category, and a 53.3 xG%, the only Sabre above 50%, while the Sabres held just a 44.2 xG% with Dahlin off the ice.
A lot can be said about Dahlin’s game and value to Buffalo, but one thing is certain, and it is the team must get it together before he requests a trade.
3. Quinn Hughes
Quinn Hughes (LD): 16 goals, 56 assists, 76 points in 68 games
Much like Dahlin, Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was a superstar on one of hockey’s most disappointing teams.
He set a career high in TOI per game (25:44) and finished with the second-highest single-season goal total of his career (16).
Defensively, Hughes was league average, and his matchups were not overly difficult, but his discipline and power play production were enough to place him in the top three of this list.
Now, as rumors swirl, the Canucks will be forced to improve the roster before they lose Hughes, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2027.
2. Zach Werenski
Zach Werenski (LD): 23 goals, 59 assists, 82 points in 81 games
In an emotional season, Zach Werenski put together the best year of his career — a performance worthy of the Norris Trophy in almost any other season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman set career highs in goals (23), assists (59), points (82), and TOI per game (26:45), nearly carrying his team to the playoffs as hockey’s best 5v5 blue liner.
Defensively, Werenski was around league-average, but what propelled him to second on this list was his impressive special teams production, finishing above the 80th percentile in both power play and penalty kill production.
1. Cale Makar
Cale Makar (RD): 30 goals, 62 assists, 92 points in 80 games
Unsurprisingly, Cale Makar was the NHL’s top defenseman in 2024-25, racking up 30 goals and 92 points.
He became the first defenseman to reach the 30-goal mark since Mike Green in 2008-09, all while contributing strong defensive play and excelling on special teams.
The Colorado Avalanche star also ranked top-25 in both average TOI against elite competition and percentage of TOI spent against elite competition, and he finished top-three in overall TOI per game among all skaters.
Still just 26, Makar won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
You can check out more of Michael’s work at The Hockey News, follow him on X (michaelost13), Instagram (CoreNHL) or contact him directly at Michael.ostrower@gmail.com
