NHL Network continues a nine-part series Sunday (6 p.m. ET) looking at the best players in the League today. The third installment will rank the top 20 defensemen. To further that conversation, we asked 10 NHL.com writers to rank the 23-and-under defensemen they think are the best in the NHL over three seasons, with each voter gives 10 points to the player ranked No. 1, nine. for No. 2, etc. Below are the top 7.
The NHL has a great group of young, impressive defensemen whose abilities and strength make them incredibly desirable for their age. Many such players have made their way after being selected in past NHL Drafts.
But who is the best of these upcoming defenses?
NHL.com tried to answer that by looking at defensemen under the age of 24 and trying to project how they would rank against each other over three seasons.
Some, like Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabers and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, have been impact players in the League for years now. Some, like Owen Power of the Sabers and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, are just starting to get their opportunities.
Here’s NHL.com’s list of the 23-and-under defensemen who will be the best in the NHL in three seasons:
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabers (89 voting points): The 23-year-old has steadily improved through his five NHL seasons since becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. and had League career highs last season in goals (15), assists (58) and points (73). He had 32 power-play points (six goals, 26 assists), second on the Sabers to the center. Tage Thompson, who had 34 points. Dahlin has one season remaining on the three-year, $18 million ($6 million average annual value) contract he signed on Sept. 22, 2021, and Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams said June 21 the Sabers want to sign Dahlin on a long-term contract. Considering what he’s done so far, it’s a good bet that Dahlin will continue to put up good seasons for Buffalo for a long time to come.
Video: BUF@DAL: Dahlin blasts a one-timer from the point
Owen Power, Buffalo Sabers (78): Not one, but two star, young defensemen? Yes, the Sabers have a great setup with Dahlin and Power, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old had a strong season with 35 points (four goals, 31 assists) in 79 games and is a finalist for the 2023 Calder Trophy, awarded to the best rookie in the League ( he finished third in the voting behind the Seattle Kraken center. Matty Beniers and Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner. Like Dahlin, Adams said June 21 that Buffalo intends to secure Power on a long-term deal; he signed a three-year, entry-level contract on April 8, 2022. Power has great potential to become one of the best in the NHL.
Moritz SeiderDetroit Red Wings (65 points): The 22-year-old, selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, has been consistent and strong in his first two seasons in the League. He won the Calder Trophy in 2022 after finishing with 50 points (seven goals, 43 assists) in 82 games and was not far from those numbers last season, with 42 points (five goals, 37 assists), again in 82 games. He leads the Red Wings averaging 23:09 of ice time per game (fellow defenseman Filip Hronek next at 21:32). As Detroit tries to regain past success, Seider will be one of the key players leading the way.
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks (58): The Canucks have struggled to find consistency over the past few seasons, but Hughes, the No. 7 picks in the 2018 draft, nothing. The 23-year-old had 76 points (seven goals, 69 assists) in 78 games last season, third in Vancouver and tied for second in Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets (76 points; 16 goals, 60 assists) among NHL defensemen behind Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks (101 points; 25 goals, 76 assists). Hughes also led the Canucks with 34 power-play points (two goals, 32 assists). Smart and skilled, he quickly became one of Vancouver’s leaders both off and on the ice.
Video: VAN@STL: Hughes scores his second goal of the game
Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils (55): Yes, as you can see, talent runs deep in the Hughes family. Following in the footsteps of older brothers Quinn and Jack, a Devils center, Luke Hughes, the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft, looking to carve his own niche in the NHL. The 19-year-old got a taste of it last season, with two points (goal, assist) in two regular-season games and two assists in three Stanley Cup Playoff games. Obviously more is expected of him this season and considering the family pedigree, is there any doubt that he will be the next Hughes to make his mark in the League?
Bowen ByramColorado Avalanche (37): There is no question about the talent of the 22-year-old, who was taken by the Avalanche with the No. 4 picks in the 2019 draft. The problem for Byram was his health. Concussions sidelined him his first two seasons and a lower-body injury kept him out for three months last season. He played 42 games in 2022-23, with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists). Here’s hoping Byram has and continues to be in good health in the future. If he can, he will play a bigger part in Colorado’s already strong defense.
K’Andre MillerNew York Rangers (31): The 23-year-old has been a consistent, reliable presence in three seasons with the Rangers, who signed the restricted free agent to a two-year contract ($3.872 million AAV) on July 11. Miller, the No. 22 pick in the 2018 draft, had NHL career highs in goals (nine), assists (34) and points (43) in 79 games last season and averaged 21:57 of ice time per game, second in New York in fellow defenseman Adam Fox (24:23). Miller is exactly what the Rangers have needed so far and as part of a defense that includes Fox and Jacob Troubashould continue to get better with age.