The finalists for the 2025 Norris Trophy—Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), and Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)—are all fantastic defensemen. They’ve earned their nominations for being elite at both ends of the ice. But let’s be honest: much of their recognition is due to their offensive production.
While scoring defensemen grab headlines, the NHL also has players who quietly excel in their own zone. These are the guys who shut down top lines, block shots, and make smart plays that don’t always show up on highlight reels.
Here are five of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL this season—players who might not get Norris votes, but are critical to their teams’ success.
Gustav Forsling – Florida Panthers
Age: 28
Games Played: 80
Points: 31 (11 goals)
Average Ice Time: 22:57
Blocked Shots: 89
Penalty Minutes: 16
After helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup, Forsling became more well-known. But it’s his defensive consistency that makes him so valuable. At 5-on-5, Florida had a 56.32% shot attempt share, outscoring opponents 66-48 with Forsling on the ice. He’s excellent at reading plays and shutting down top players—without taking many penalties.
Jonas Brodin – Minnesota Wild
Age: 31
Games Played: 50
Blocked Shots: 104
Average Ice Time: 22:57
Brodin’s season was interrupted by injuries, but when he returned, the Wild played better defensively. With key players like Kaprizov injured, Brodin’s calm and smart play helped stabilize the team and guide them back into playoff contention.
At 5-on-5, the Wild outshot and outscored their opponents with Brodin on the ice. His teammates see him as one of the most important players—even if he doesn’t get the spotlight.
Jaccob Slavin – Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 30
Games Played: 80
Points: 27 (6 goals)
Blocked Shots: 136
Penalty Minutes: 8
Slavin is one of the most respected defensive players in the league. His performance during the 4 Nations Face-Off reminded everyone how good he is. With his smooth skating and excellent stick work, he rarely gets beaten 1-on-1.
With Slavin on the ice at 5-on-5, Carolina had 56.44% of expected goals, a 57.87% shot share, and dominated scoring chances. He’s the definition of smart, clean, and elite defense.
Chris Tanev – Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 35
Games Played: 75
Blocked Shots: 189
Goals For % at 5-on-5: 61.8%
Despite being the oldest on this list, Tanev showed no signs of slowing down. As part of Toronto’s shutdown pair with Jake McCabe, he played a key role in controlling the defensive zone.
Tanev had the fourth-highest goals-for percentage among all defensemen (min. 250 mins) at 5-on-5. Starting many of his shifts in the defensive zone, he still limited high-danger chances and provided a steadying presence. His six-year contract is already proving to be a smart investment.
Dylan Samberg – Winnipeg Jets
Age: 26
Games Played: 60
Points: 20 (6 goals)
Blocked Shots: 120
Average Ice Time: 21:08
When Samberg was injured with a broken foot, the Jets struggled. When he came back, their winning form returned. His 5-on-5 numbers are excellent—the Jets outscored opponents 57-36, and held the edge in nearly every advanced metric, including Corsi, Fenwick, and high-danger chances.
Samberg doesn’t get power-play time, which lowers his point totals, but his defensive impact speaks volumes. At just 26, he’s already a reliable shutdown defenseman.
While Makar, Hughes, and Werenski deserve praise for their offensive brilliance, defensive defensemen like Forsling, Brodin, Slavin, Tanev, and Samberg are just as valuable to their teams. They don’t always make headlines, but they play the tough minutes, block shots, kill penalties, and protect the lead.
They are the unsung heroes who help win championships—often without the spotlight.
