Best defense in the NHL?

[TomasHertlsRooster]

I’d say it’s more like

EK>Subban
Josi>Burns
Vlassic>Ellis
EKholm>Ryan
Dillon>Irwin
Braun>Weber

I really don’t think Josi is superior to Burns, and I really don’t see why people think that. Outside of that, I agree. Vlasic might even be equal to Ellis.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I really don’t think Josi is superior to Burns, and I really don’t see why people think that. Outside of that, I agree. Vlasic might even be equal to Ellis.

I think Vlasic is clearly, but barely better than Ellis and EKholm.

As far Josi>Burns I just think the fact that Josi gives 50-60 points with elite defensive play is ridiculous. Not that Burns is bad defensively but I don’t think his offense quite puts him ahead of Josi. They’re both ridiculous dmen and I can understand why someone would take Burns over Josi.

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

I think Vlasic is clearly, but barely better than Ellis and EKholm.

As far Josi>Burns I just think the fact that Josi gives 50-60 points with elite defensive play is ridiculous. Not that Burns is bad defensively but I don’t think his offense quite puts him ahead of Josi. They’re both ridiculous dmen and I can understand why someone would take Burns over Josi.

You and I provide exactly as much “elite defensive play” at the NHL level as Roman Josi. In all 3 cases, it’s absolutely none. Burns might even be better defensively than Josi.

 

[God King Fudge]

I take NSH still. Close tho.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I think Vlasic is clearly, but barely better than Ellis and EKholm.

As far Josi>Burns I just think the fact that Josi gives 50-60 points with elite defensive play is ridiculous. Not that Burns is bad defensively but I don’t think his offense quite puts him ahead of Josi. They’re both ridiculous dmen and I can understand why someone would take Burns over Josi.

You probably see the Preds more than I do since your team plays them more, but anytime I've seen Josi I've never equated his defensive play as "elite". IMO, from the games I've seen, he's your typical great skating offensive D-man who is responsible defensively, but not the guy you want matching up against the other team's top offensive line.

 

[ottawa]

King Subban for me.

 

[The Abusement Park]

You probably see the Preds more than I do since your team plays them more, but anytime I've seen Josi I've never equated his defensive play as "elite". IMO, from the games I've seen, he's your typical great skating offensive D-man who is responsible defensively, but not the guy you want matching up against the other team's top offensive line.

He’s not big and physical but he’s super smart in his own zone with his stick and positioning. I think he’s a better defender than Burns and for that reason I’d prefer him as my #1 despite Burns scoring more points.

 

[GoldOnGold]

Alert to those in this thread: the Preds #5 d-man is Dan Hamhuis, not Matt Irwin. Irwin will likely be scratched, with Yannick Weber taking the #6 spot.

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

Alert to those in this thread: the Preds #5 d-man is Dan Hamhuis, not Matt Irwin. Irwin will likely be scratched, with Yannick Weber taking the #6 spot.

My mistake on that one. Still, Dillon>Hamhuis and Braun>Weber.

 

[GoldOnGold]

My mistake on that one. Still, Dillon>Hamhuis and Braun>Weber.

I agree on Braun>Weber for sure, but Dillon and Hamhuis are pretty even in my eyes, with Hamhuis maybe even having the edge:

Dillon:
81 GP: 5 g, 17a
CF 51.3%

Hamhuis:
80 GP: 3g, 21a
CF 50.4%

Hamhuis also played more, had fewer penalty minutes, and played on a much worse team.

 

[The Great Weal]

Karlsson>Subban
Burns>Josi
Vlasic>Ellis
Ryan<<Ekholm
Dillon>Irwin
Braun>Weber

Sharks are the best imo

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

I agree on Braun>Weber for sure, but Dillon and Hamhuis are pretty even in my eyes, with Hamhuis maybe even having the edge:

Dillon:
81 GP: 5 g, 17a
CF 51.3%

Hamhuis:
80 GP: 3g, 21a
CF 50.4%

Hamhuis also played more, had fewer penalty minutes, and played on a much worse team.

Stars had a higher CF% than the Sharks...

Also, how many minor penalties did each take? Dillon fights fairly often so using PIM to discredit him isn’t entirely fair.

 

[Bounces R Way]

San Jose by a pretty fair margin.

 

[GoldOnGold]

Stars had a higher CF% than the Sharks...

Also, how many minor penalties did each take? Dillon fights fairly often so using PIM to discredit him isn’t entirely fair.

I would love to answer that question, but the NHL.com stats page isn't working for me and hockeyreference doesn't appear to have it.

 

[Foppberg]

Sharks.

EK>>Subban
Burns>Josi
Vlasic>Ellis
Ryan<Ekholm
Dillion>Irwin
Braun>Weber

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I really don’t think Josi is superior to Burns, and I really don’t see why people think that. Outside of that, I agree. Vlasic might even be equal to Ellis.

I'd take Ellis over Vlasic starting now. as far as Burns vs Josi, I think Josi gets better results at 5v5 against tougher competition

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Nashville's is the best at defense.

SJ is likely the best at creating offense.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Karlsson > Subban
Burns >/= Josi
Vlasic > Ellis
Ryan < Ekholm

Hedman > Subban
McDonagh < Josi
Stralman < Ellis
Sergachev =/< Ekholm

1. San Jose
2. Nasville
3. Tampa
4. Carolina

 

[The Winter Soldier]

SJ, TB, NASH.

Take your pick, but I went with SJ.

 

[GoldOnGold]

Ekholm is just as good if not better than Vlasic, IMO.

 

[Puckstuff]

San Jose is the new shiny toy; but Nashville is just dominant from 1-4.

One thing I would say; San Jose/Nashville are 1 and 2 in whatever way.

TB is probably 3.

 

[wintersej]

I don't understand why Boston, lead by arguably 3 top 30 D-men in McAvoy, Chara and Krug is never mentioned.

4OA in goals allowed is not just Bergeron. I would agree that NSH and now SJ are certainly better. But to not even be in the poll? And not calling out the OP... this just seems to be the conventional wisdom around here.