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Best NHL defensemen of 2024: Rankings by players and execs



Best NHL defensemen of 2024: Rankings by players and execs

by HomegrownStatistics

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  1. HomegrownStatistics

    7. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
    80 points | Age: 33 | Last season: 4th

    Should Josi have two Norris Trophy wins? It’s still wild to think that a 96-point season in 2021-22 didn’t earn him a second win, but it was Cale Makar’s turn to land the hardware.

    Like Hedman, Josi continues to be an effective elder statesman on the blue line. He has 47 points in 52 games, skating around 25 minutes per game, playing in all situations. Like Hedman, he went from a top-five finish last season to outside of it this season.

    Josi had some strong supporters. One NHL general manager and a Western Conference goalie had him second overall and ahead of Quinn Hughes. An Eastern Conference coach placed him third behind Makar and Hughes.

    But one NHL executive felt that putting Josi and Hedman outside the top five was the right thing to do.

    “Some might see it as a top six or a top seven [in the top tier], but Josi and Hedman aren’t on that level for me,” the exec said.

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