NHL Network shares top-20 defenceman list ahead of 2023-24 season

The NHL Network continued their top-20 lists on Sunday evening and this time, they highlighted the best defenceman in the league heading into the 2023-24 season.

Coming in at number 1 on their list is Colorado Avalanche star and EA Sports NHL 24 cover athlete, Cale Makar. Makar was limited to only 60 games during the regular season in 2022-23, tallying 66 points (17 goals, 49 assists).

At number 2 was Adam Fox of the New York Rangers. Fox had another fantastic year, reaching the 70-point mark for the second consecutive season, while adding eight points in seven playoff games.

Rounding out the top-three was Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars, who had the best season of his career thus far. He doubled his previous career-high in points by putting up 73 in 79 games, following that up with 12 points in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games.


Let's take a look at the entire top-20 of the NHL Network's list!

1. Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche.
2. Adam Fox - New York Rangers.
3. Miro Heiskanen - Dallas Stars.
4. Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning.
5. Roman Josi - Nashville Predators.
6. Charlie McAvoy - Boston Bruins.
7. Rasmus Dahlin - Buffalo Sabres.
8. Erik Karlsson - Pittsburgh Penguins.
9. Alex Pietrangelo - Vegas Golden Knights.
10. Quinn Hughes - Vancouver Canucks.
11. Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets.
12. Dougie Hamilton - New Jersey Devils.
13. Devon Toews - Colorado Avalanche.
14. Jaccob Slavin - Carolina Hurricanes.
15. Hampus Lindholm - Boston Bruins.
16. Brent Burns - Carolina Hurricanes.
17. Mikhail Sergachev - Tampa Bay Lightning.
18. Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings.
19. Brandon Montour - Florida Panthers.
20. Shea Theodore - Vegas Golden Knights.

There is a ton of talent on this list, but as with any list like these, there are going to be some very good players left off. Some of the notable names left off the NHL Network's list are Aaron Ekblad, MacKenzie Weegar and Kris Letang.

Who do you think belongs in the number 1 spot - Cale Makar or Adam Fox? Let us know what you think in the poll below.

Here are the best defensemen in the league right now! #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/XO96x7wUiN— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2023