#NHLTopPlayers: Top Defensemen, Nos. 10-1

Whether it's breaking up a big play, setting up a goal, or scoring on the power play, some defensemen can do it all. NHL Network producers and analysts chose the top 20 defensemen in the League right now, and Nos. 10-1 were revealed Thursday in the last of an eight-part series featured on "NHL Tonight." Here is the list:

#NHLTopPlayers: [Top Defensemen, Nos. 20-11 | Top Centers, Nos. 20-11 | Top Centers, Nos. 10-1 | Top Goalies, Nos. 10-6 | Top Goalies, Nos. 5-1 | Top Wings, Nos. 20-11 | Top Wings, Nos. 10-1]

10. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets

He set an NHL career high and a Blue Jackets record for goals by a defenseman with 20, the most in the League at the position, and was on pace for a career high in points before the season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. Werenski scored 41 points, 13 power-play points and four game-winning goals, and he was second on the Blue Jackets in ice time per game (23:59), the third straight season he's increased that average.

9. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins

After getting off to a slow start this season, McAvoy tied his NHL career high in points (32) and set his career high in assists (27) in 67 games. He led the Bruins in ice time per game (23:10) and blocked shots (131), and he ranked third in hits (131). McAvoy averaged 1:00 more per game this season than he did last season and was plus-24; he is plus-58 in his three NHL seasons.

"He really jumped out for me, McAvoy did, playing at [Boston University]," NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes said. "But playing for the World Juniors' Team USA and that gold winning team, that's when I knew he was money. He's a great young man, his teammates love him. Very skilled and another example of another great drafting and developing of the Boston Bruins."

8. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

Letang scored 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 61 games this season and averaged 25:44 of ice time per game, third in the League. He tied his NHL career high with six power-play goals and reached double-digit goals for the seventh time in 14 seasons. A three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017), Letang has 537 points (127 goals, 410 assists) in 808 regular-season games and 80 points (21 goals, 59 assists) in 132 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"One of the best defensemen on the planet is Kris Letang," Weekes said. "Often underrated, he sees the game as well any elite forward in the League with his skill set, his ability to make plays, he competes, he's in fantastic shape. Great leader in the locker room."

7. Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes

Hamilton ranked fourth in the NHL among defensemen with 40 points and was tied for second with 14 goals. He was averaging 23:17 of ice time per game when he broke his fibula Jan. 16, causing him to miss the remainder of the regular season. His plus-30 rating was second in the NHL at the time. Hamilton, who is first in the NHL among defensemen with 49 goals over the past three seasons, was selected to play in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game but missed it because of the injury.

"He always had the skill, but now it's all going together," Weekes said. "He's loved in that locker room. ... More importantly, he's healthy and he will be back. That will be huge for [the Hurricanes]."

6. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

Makar led NHL rookie defensemen in goals (12), power-play goals (four) and even-strength goals (eight), and he was second to Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks among rookies in assists (38), points (50) and power-play points (19). He scored four game-winning goals, had a plus-12 rating, and averaged 21:01 of ice time in 57 games, third among rookies. Makar, who set the Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques record for points by a rookie defenseman in one season, is a finalist for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

"He's a Calgary-born kid and obviously he shredded up college hockey but he's done that at the NHL level," Weekes said. "The way McAvoy came in, years back straight into the playoffs, that's exactly what we saw from Cale Makar. He's a transformative player."

5. Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets

He led Columbus in ice time per game (25:17) for the fifth straight season and in shorthanded ice time per game (2:25). Jones, who scored 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) and was plus-10 in 56 games, was a big reason the Blue Jackets were tied for third in the NHL in goals-against per game (2.61). He scored at least 42 points in each of the previous three seasons.

"Seth Jones is such a key piece for them, he plays in all three zones, every situation for (coach) John Tortorella," Weekes said. "Physical, rangey, can block shots, great offensively as well. Just a complete player and with that size (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) and frame."

4. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

Pietrangelo scored an NHL career-high 16 goals in 70 games this season, and with 52 points he was two shy of his high set in 2017-18. He also set NHL career highs in power-play points (22) and shots on goal (225) playing an average of 24:11 per game. Pietrangelo led the Blues to the best points percentage in the Western Conference (.662) after leading defensemen with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 26 games in the 2019 playoffs to help St. Louis win the Stanley Cup for the first time in its history.

"Alex Pietrangelo is so steady and so consistent, if you didn't know how good he was then, just go back and rewatch the playoffs from last year," Weekes said. "This guy, to me, is going to go down as the best defenseman probably in their history and let's hope that they are able to re-sign him and come to an agreement because I love watching him play. He's a quintessential St. Louis Blue."

3. John Carlson, Washington Capitals

Carlson led NHL defensemen in assists (60) and points (75), each an NHL career high, and tied his high with 15 goals in 69 games (2017-18). He averaged 1.09 points per game to become the first defenseman since Ray Bourque (1.26), Sergei Zubov (1.14) and Al MacInnis (1.09) in 1993-94 to average more than one point per game for a season. Carlson averaged 24:38 of ice time per game (tied for ninth among NHL defensmen), was first among defensemen in game-winning goals with six and second in power-play points with 26, and had 108 blocked shots (tied for 33rd) and a plus-12 rating (tied for 34th). He is a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the best defensman in the NHL.

"This is my Norris Trophy winner," Weekes said. "John Carlson just does it all, he jumped out so far ahead of the pack with his great start. But if you want to talk about smooth, this guy is pure money. You know what you're getting from him every shift, zero maintenance, superstar player."

2. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

Josi set NHL career highs in goals (16), assists (49) and points (65) in 69 games, ranking second among defensemen in each category. He was third in the League in ice time per game (25:47), scored 23 power-play points (fifth among defensemen), and had 108 blocked shots (tied for 33rd) and a plus-22 rating (tied for seventh). Josi, who is a finalist for the Norris, has scored at least 53 points in five of six seasons since 2014-15 and ranks third among NHL defensemen with 339 points in that span.

"Their general manager David Poile told me years ago, 'He's a 50-50 defenseman,' meaning he's as good offensively as he is defensively," Weekes said. "Nice to see a Swiss-born superstar in our League."

1. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Hedman finished third among NHL defensemen behind Carlson and Josi with 55 points (11 goals, 44 assists) in 66 games. He was plus-27 (fourth among defensemen), had 47 takeaways (eighth), and averaged 24:04 of ice time per game (15th). A Norris finalist for the third straight season, Hedman won the award in 2017-18 and finished third last season. Hedman ranks third in points (244) and second in rating (plus-86) among NHL defensemen since 2016-17.

"He's so graceful in his ability to skate," Weekes said. "Understated, plays a quiet game and by that I mean, positionally sound, doesn't get himself into bad spots and he shoots rockets. You would never think a man this big (6-6, 229) to be that graceful of a skater. Already a Norris Trophy winner and a finalist this year again."