A recent top five defensemen list shared by NHL fan NYR Louie on X has ignited intense discussion among hockey enthusiasts, highlighting Quinn Hughes NHL top defensemen status. The list featured Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, Zach Werenski, and Rasmus Dahlin, sparking debate about who truly deserves the top spots in the league.
Fan Reactions Challenge Defensemen Rankings
NYR Louie’s selections were backed by impressive statistics: Makar tallied 92 points and a +28 plus-minus rating last season, while Hughes finished with 76 points over 68 games. Fox contributed 61 points for the New York Rangers, Werenski had 82 points, and Dahlin ended his season with 68 points. Each player displayed significant two-way performance for their respective teams, yet voices emerged disputing the absence of other notable defensemen.
Some fans criticized the omission of key players. One fan pointed out Braden Schneider’s importance, noting that the Rangers’ young defenseman had recorded 21 points and a +9 rating before a shoulder injury ended his season:
“How did you forget Braden Schneider? The invaluable piece,” —fan
Others stressed defensive capabilities over offensive stats. A supporter of Jaccob Slavin argued that offense should not overshadow defensive skill, emphasizing Slavin’s elite penalty-killing role with the Carolina Hurricanes:
“No Jaccob Slavin is absurd when his defensive numbers are among the best in the league. Offensive numbers should not matter for defensemen. Their job is to play defense. Offense from the defense is a bonus. And this is why the Norris Trophy is a joke now,” —fan
Meanwhile, Miro Heiskanen’s name sparked similar debate, with one user labeling the list invalid without him due to his consistent ice time and solid 25 points last season:
“If Heiskanen is not on the list of top 5, then the list is invalid,” —user
The discourse extended to comparisons, with some prioritizing Slavin over Fox, and differing opinions about Fox’s effectiveness surfaced. One fan criticized Fox’s speed and physicality, blaming him for the Rangers’ failures in international play:
“Fox is not that good , Slow. Not physical. He was exposed in 4 Nations. And was just a big a reason for Rangers epic fail last year,” —fan
Other fans presented broader variations in rankings, listing a mix of players like Makar, Hughes, Josi, Slavin, Forsling, Fox, Hedman, and Werenski, highlighting the wide spectrum of views among NHL followers:
“Nah. Makar, Hughes, Josi, Slavin, Forsling, Fox, Hedman, Werenski,” —fan
Lane Hutson Emerges Among Top Young NHL Defensemen
Amid the heated debate on established defensemen, Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson attracted attention with his standout rookie season, earning him a place in NHL.com’s top three players under 23. Hutson posted 66 points over 82 games and averaged more than 22 minutes per game. His strategic passing and smart playmaking, evidenced by 60 assists, played a crucial role in Montreal’s return to the playoffs after several years.
Hutson’s achievements earned him the 2025 Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. Among NHL.com rankings, he secured five first-place votes, trailing only Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. Hutson’s rise cements him as one of the league’s most promising defensemen under 23.
Ongoing Impact and Future Discussions in NHL Defense Rankings
The passionate fan debate over Quinn Hughes NHL top defensemen status underscores the complex criteria used to evaluate defensemen in the modern NHL, where offensive output and defensive reliability both command attention. As players like Hughes, Makar, and Hutson continue to shape this evolving landscape, future rankings will likely generate further intense discussions among fans and analysts alike.
With various styles of play valued differently, these conversations highlight the strain NHL fans feel in agreeing on who deserves to be called the very best defensemen. Moving forward, performance trends during upcoming seasons and playoff impacts will influence this ongoing debate significantly.