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Toronto Maple Leafs: Ranking the NHL’s Top 5 Defensemen

By James Tanner

Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche shoots against the Seattle Kraken during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche shoots against the Seattle Kraken during the third period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 15: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres   (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 15: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres   (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Top 5 NHL Defenseman: Rasmus Dahlin

The former number-one overall pick just turned 23 and is coming off the best season of his career so far.

After posting a solid 53 points two years ago, Dahlin increased his total by 20 last year, dropping 15 goals and 73 points for the up-and-coming Buffalo Sabres.

He posted a 53% 5v5 expected-goals percentage, and the Sabres won his minutes (53%) and he was 10th among NHL defenders with 33 5v5 points.

Without Dahling the Sabres lost their 5v5 minutes and were basically a horrible team.  All together, the Sabres ranked 21st in the NHL in 5v5 expected-goals percentage, but when Dahlin played they were 3rd.

He’s that good.

Dahlin is just hitting his stride, he’s only 23 and he will likely be way higher on this list after next season.  I think there are players who I don’t have on this list who you could quibble about not being 5th in place instead of Dahlin, but none of them are still getting better.

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