NHL Network unveils list of top-20 defenceman ahead of the 2022-23 season

The NHL Network continued their top-20 player series on Sunday, this time ranking the best defenceman in the league ahead of the 2022-23 season, which is set to get underway in just over six weeks.

As with any list, people will tend to disagree and make arguments for where a certain player should be or whether or not a specific player is too high or too low.

For the most part, other than possibly shuffling a few players up and down, the NHL Network did a fairly good job with their ranking. Let's take a look at who they think are the top-20 defenceman in the NHL.

20. Brent Burns - Carolina Hurricanes
19. Alex Pietrangelo - Vegas Golden Knights
18. Rasmus Dahlin - Buffalo Sabres
17. Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings
16. Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets
15. Shea Theodore - Vegas Golden Knights
14. Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Jaccob Slavin - Carolina Hurricanes
12. Quinn Hughes - Vancouver Canucks
11. Moritz Seider - Detroit Red Wings
10. Miro Heiskanen - Dallas Stars
9. John Carlson - Washington Capitals
8. Devon Toews - Colorado Avalanche
7. Aaron Ekblad - Florida Panthers
6. Kris Letang - Pittsburgh Penguins
5. Charlie McAvoy - Boston Bruins
4. Adam Fox - New York Rangers
3. Roman Josi - Nashville Predators
2. Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning
1. Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche

From 250 to the Top 20.

Here are the best defensemen in the league right now! #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/rnLWixoyaH— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 28, 2022

MUST READ

8 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators Practice Takes a Nasty Turn as Players Fight On the Ice Due to Mounting Frustration

11 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks John Gibson Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause for One Specific Team

12 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Toronto Maple Leafs on the Verge of a Significant Forward Trade Per Top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

13 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Connor Bedard Rapidly Losing His Confidence: Comments at Practice Worrying Fans

15 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Meredith Has Emotional Reaction to Beautiful Fan Tribute to Her Late Husband

17 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Brad Marchand Traded by the Boston Bruins? Top NHL Insider Lists Him as a Possible Player to Move

18 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Loses His Cool and Insults Fan

MORE STORIES