Predators Only Team With Three Defensemen in NHLN's Top 20 List

NHL Network revealed its list of the Top 20 defenseman in the NHL
on Sunday evening, with the Nashville Predators being the only team to boast three blueliners in the rankings.
The segment, featuring analysis from three-time Stanley Cup Champion and NHLN analyst Ken Daneyko, couldn't get enough of the riches of talent Nashville has assembled in a single defensive corps. P.K. Subban, a 2017-18 Norris Trophy Finalist, received the highest spot on the list, coming in at No. 5 overall.

Predators Captain Roman Josi took No. 7 in the Top 20 after posting 53 points during the 2017-18 campaign and leading Nashville to their first Presidents' Trophy. Josi has tallied at least 12 goals in each of the last five seasons.

Rounding out the Top 20 was Ryan Ellis; the 27-year-old defenseman steadied the Nashville blue line following his return in January from offseason knee surgery.
"He's a great skating defenseman who moves the puck so well, can shoot the puck, creates a lot of offense," Daneyko said. "He's a good all-around defenseman who sometimes gets lost in the shuffle because of how good the Nashville Predators defense is… The game is now about jumping in on the play, supporting the offensive attack, getting your shots through, and he does all those things so well."

Should Nashville have received even more representation on the list? The case could certainly be made.
Mattias Ekholm was left off the network's list despite registering a career high 10 goals last season. Ekholm and Subban have formed Nashville's shutdown pairing the last two seasons, an integral part of what many regard as the NHL's premier defensive group. Plus, don't forget that with the signing of veteran Dan Hamhuis to go with Anthony Bitetto, Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber, the Predators likely boast the deepest and most-talented grouping of defensemen in the League.
Still, three players in the Top 20 isn't a bad start...