Today we have put together a top-ten list of the best defencemen available for a best-on-best Team Canada as it stands going into the 2024-25 season. No doubt some will question the order based on future projections, but here we attempted to weight recent past performances. For example, if we went with the future, two Buffalo Sabres defenders, Owen Power and Bowen Byram may very well have squeaked on the list. But for now, to start the 2024-25 campaign, we have given players the benefit of the doubt after strong 2023-24 campaigns. As a note, it is difficult to create a standardized model for our rating, for one specific reason. It can be difficult to rate defencemen equally when we need to simultaneously consider offensive and defensive defencemen. It is why a player like Aleksander Barkov could be considered the toughest player to play against, yet, you’ll never seem him challenge for the Art Ross Trophy. Thus, our challenge is in attempting to equally compare someone like Aaron Ekblad against Cale Makar. With all that in mind, let’s get down to it.
Top Ten Team Canada Defenceman
The Best of the Current Team Canada Defencemen Selection Cale Makar
Let’s start this list off easy and right. Makar is the most talented defender in hockey, and with the speed of today’s game, definitely one of the most talented of all-time. Moreover, his pivoting on his edges, combined with smooth skating, means he can control the game unlike anybody else. Okay, well right up there with Quinn Hughes and number 97, Connor McDavid. Therefore, let’s analyze some stats to see if they show he’s as dominant as his skating says he is.
In terms of all-time defencemen, Makar is in select company with his points-per-game standing. Makar checks in at 1.067, which leads all active defencemen (Hughes at 0.912 is second place), and is third all-time behind only Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey. Furthermore, amongst defencemen in 2023-24, Makar ranked second in expected goals (xG) at 16.4 (first was Roman Josi at 16.7). Makar generates opportunities and is extremely efficient in doing so, ranking 12th in Goals above expected with 4.6. Makar finished second in the league for points by defencemen with 90. Let’s not forget Makar is still young at 25 years of age, so would still conceivably be improving in some aspects, such as positioning, and knowing when to take chances. Oh yeah, and he is a winner, with the 2022 Stanley Cup Championship under his belt.
2. Noah Dobson
After Makar, it could easily be argued that Noah Dobson is the next most talented player on this list. Dobson has size and is a very smooth skater. Definitely the whole package. Furthermore, he supports this claim with his numbers. In 79 games played, his 70 points ranked seventh among defencemen in 2023-24.
His 3.5 goals above expected ranks 19th, which shows he is very efficient. In addition, many of the players above him in goals above expected are guys not matching up other teams’ best players, unlike Dobson. From our discussion, only Makar, Bouchard, and Byram rank higher than Dobson in that standing. He played 24:31 a night for a New York Islanders team that managed to ride a hot stretch drive into the playoffs. Therefore, he was thrust into many tough defensive situations, which he seems to handle with ease. He’s still young too at 24. Also, he is just now getting the league-wide recognition, and finished eighth in league voting for the Norris. As Dobson continues to mature into a top-pairing role, he’s only going to get better, which will help his decision making on the ice. But from a talent standpoint, and coming off a big 2023-24 season, he deserves this rank.
The Golden Standard for Team Canada Defensive Defencemen Aaron Ekblad
When you are a part of the pairing tasked with shutting down Connor McDavid in the Stanley Cup final, and for the most part, you are successful, you will find yourself high on a list of best defencemen. Even if that list is among the elite. Ekblad is hands down an elite, defensive defenceman. His head coach, Paul Maurice, does not hesitate to get him out there in his own zone. From the regular NHL defencemen in 2023-24, Ekblad finished 33rd with a defensive zone start percentage of 17.5%. However, studying the list of players above that amount, you will find those on poor teams. For example, teams that would’ve been trapped in their own zone for extended periods. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Montreal Canadiens all of multiple members above Ekblad’s percentage.
Moreover, along with the high defensive start zone percentage, Ekblad amazingly turns it into offence. In terms of expected goals per 60 minutes, his 0.46 ranks fourth in the entire NHL (Makar was first for those scoring at home). Ekblad commands the game like few can in the league. In addition, he may not throw a lot of hits on the ice, but when he does, he makes it count. At 6’4″ and 215 lbs, when he hits you, it is purposefully, and makes you regret your decision to forecheck him so hard next time. Plus, he’s a defending cup champ. Players like Ekblad do not grow on trees, and really the only question we are left with, is why isn’t he higher on the list.
4. Josh Morrissey
Morrissey is the complete package when it comes to NHL defencemen in today’s game and would be a great addition to a Team Canada. You know the defence is there when you play on a team that had a goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, that took home the Vezina and Jennings trophies. Morrissey played nearly two-and-a-half more minutes than the next closest Winnipeg Jet defenceman. Therefore, Morrissey plays a strong defensive game under previous coach Rick Bowness’ tight defensive scheme. However, Morrissey’s game itself is geared for offence as he finished eighth in league scoring by defencemen with 69 points. With the combination of offence from such a tight defensive team system, along with dynamic style and pace of play, Morrissey more than deserves his rank as number four among Canadian defencemen in the NHL.
5. Morgan Rielly
Rielly has been a top-pair defenceman in the NHL for years and continues to get it done. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been a perennial playoff contender, and have qualified for the playoffs eight years in a row. Rielly has been their top defenceman during that time. If we look at Rielly’s past seven NHL seasons, when he really established himself, his total numbers are outstanding. He’s scored 353 points in 479 games, good for a 0.737 PPG. Also, he’s averaged just over 23 minutes a game. He works the power play and fills in on the penalty kill when needed. Rielly, a true top performer, ultimate team player, and leader, and would fit perfectly with the rest of the Team Canada defencemen.
6. Evan Bouchard
Next up is a defender who has really come into his own. Some will point to the influence of his partner Mattias Ekholm as the reason for Bouchard’s rise to prominence. However, when it comes to greatness, we don’t ask how, we just want consistent dominating results. And how about these results. Bouchard is a top-pair defenceman, on a clear Stanley Cup contender. His quick feet and booming slapper make him a top threat on one of the best power plays, maybe ever. Furthermore, he played 23 minutes a night in 2023-24, and finished fourth in league defencemen scoring with 82 points.
Now, as we alluded to, where Bouchard really excels is as a top-pair defenceman, similar to another member of this list that we shall soon see. According to moneypuck’s best pairs, Bouchard and Ekholm led the NHL in xGoals% among regular pairings. They played nearly 1200 minutes together in 2023-24, also among the leaders, and has a xGoals% of 62.8% to lead the league. Suffice to say, Bouchard is one of the best defencemen in the game today.
7. Devon Toews
Next up is, like Bouchard, one half of one of the top pairs in the NHL. This time, his partner, Cale Makar, unlike Bouchard’s, actually appears on our list. And like Bouchard’s summary, if we look at d-pairings xGoals%, this is where Toews establishes his elite status. Filtering on pairings that play 750 minutes or more together, in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Makar and Toews finished third and fifth, respectively. Let’s not forget, that they are playing against teams’ top players, unlike a few of the pairs ahead of them.
Since coming over from the New York Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche, Toews has catapulted himself into top status among NHL defencemen. In 281 games with the Avs, he has 188 points, and averaged 24:37 time on ice. He’s even garnered Norris votes, finishing eighth in voting in 2021-22. Needless to say, no one would be surprised if Toews and Makar make up the top pairing of defencemen for Team Canada when country comes calling in 2025 and beyond.
8. Dougie Hamilton
Dougie Hamilton has suffered from inconsistencies, largely as a result of injury, but when he is ready to go, make no mistake, Hamilton is a top NHL defender. At 6’6”, he brings size to go along with his offensive game. In 2022-23, playing 82 games with the New Jersey Devils, he scored 74 points in 21:46 minutes a night. At 31 years old, it is tough to know how long he will maintain his level of play as a big man. However, for now, he still brings it every night and his absence last year, was a big reason for the Devils failure to push for a playoff spot. Look for him to contend for a Team Canada role on the right side if he comes back healthy and plays like he can.
9. Shea Theodore
Theodore is at a spot on our list where we start to question who we are leaving off. However, given Theodore’s body of work, his dynamic playing ability, he should not be one of them left off the list. The only reason Theodore himself wouldn’t make a Team Canada squad, would be because of the logjam on the left side.
His consistency, skating, role, and just overall difficulty to play against makes him a staple on a list like this we have compiled. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was one of, if not the, best defenceman on the Vegas Golden Knights leading them to the 2023 Stanley Cup victory. Additionally, looking at his body-of-work during his time living the Viva Las Vegas lifestyle are impressive. The 29-year-old has played seven seasons there, amassing 444 regular season games and totaling 289 points. All the while skating on average per game 21:41.
10. Alex Pietrangelo
Last on the list, is the veteran of the bunch. We had to have one, wily vet. And of course, Pietrangelo’s resume speaks for itself. Two Stanley Cups in the past six seasons, and Pietrangelo was a top-pair guy both times. In total, Pietrangelo has made the post-season 11 times, and has played 139 games. Moreover, in those playoff games he has 74 points and averaged an amazing 26:03 of ice per game. At 34, his smarts and ability to control the puck make him our selection for tenth best Canadian defenceman in the sport.
And what would a top-ten be without a few honourable mentions. Thomas Chabot, Bowen Byram, and Drew Doughty were all very close to inclusion on the list. In contrast, our list did consider the past performances, as well as the future, so based on the 2024-25 actual results, the list could shuffle around substantially.
Main photo: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
