The Best Defensemen in NHL History

Ranked by era-adjusted peak · Top 30 all-time

The best defensemen in NHL history, ranked by era-adjusted peak season and franchise tenure across every team and decade — the height of each player’s powers, normalized for the era they played in.

The 30 best defensemen in NHL history

1. Larry Robinson Montréal Canadiens

   4 seasons sampled · peak 1976 · 20G 70A 91P · +128 · 77 GP
   94Peak
2. Paul Coffey Edmonton Oilers

   7 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 50G 93A 143P · +63 · 79 GP
   85Peak
3. Bobby Orr Boston Bruins

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1970 · 39G 107A 146P · +130 · 78 GP
   100Peak
4. Denis Potvin New York Islanders

   2 seasons sampled · peak 1978 · 35G 79A 113P · +80 · 73 GP
   85Peak
5. Mark Howe Philadelphia Flyers

   5 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 26G 62A 87P · +93 · 77 GP
   73Peak
6. Brad Park Boston Bruins

   5 seasons sampled · peak 1977 · 23G 58A 81P · +71 · 80 GP
   68Peak
7. Guy Lapointe Montréal Canadiens

   4 seasons sampled · peak 1976 · 27G 54A 81P · +75 · 77 GP
   70Peak
8. Al MacInnis Calgary Flames

   4 seasons sampled · peak 1990 · 29G 79A 108P · +44 · 78 GP
   69Peak
9. Chris Pronger St. Louis Blues

   7 seasons sampled · peak 1999 · 15G 50A 64P · +54 · 79 GP
   60Peak
10. Brad McCrimmon Philadelphia Flyers

    7 seasons sampled · peak 1985 · 13G 44A 57P · +88 · 80 GP
    58Peak
11. Ray Bourque Boston Bruins

    4 seasons sampled · peak 1983 · 33G 68A 101P · +54 · 78 GP
    64Peak
12. Gary Suter Calgary Flames

    5 seasons sampled · peak 1987 · 23G 77A 99P · +43 · 75 GP
    60Peak
13. Mark Giordano Calgary Flames

    5 seasons sampled · peak 2018 · 18G 60A 78P · +41 · 78 GP
    60Peak
14. Dougie Hamilton Carolina Hurricanes

    5 seasons sampled · peak 2019 · 24G 45A 70P · +52 · 47 GP
    60Peak
15. Larry Murphy Pittsburgh Penguins

    7 seasons sampled · peak 1992 · 22G 62A 84P · +44 · 83 GP
    55Peak
16. Mike Green Washington Capitals

    3 seasons sampled · peak 2009 · 21G 62A 83P · +43 · 75 GP
    66Peak
17. Dallas Smith Boston Bruins

    2 seasons sampled · peak 1970 · 8G 43A 51P · +110 · 73 GP
    69Peak
18. Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks

    3 seasons sampled · peak 2023 · 17G 75A 92P · +38 · 82 GP
    64Peak
19. Mathieu Schneider Detroit Red Wings

    9 seasons sampled · peak 2005 · 24G 43A 67P · +38 · 72 GP
    52Peak
20. Brian Leetch New York Rangers

    4 seasons sampled · peak 1991 · 23G 82A 105P · +26 · 80 GP
    59Peak
21. Scott Stevens New Jersey Devils

    4 seasons sampled · peak 1993 · 18G 59A 77P · +52 · 83 GP
    59Peak
22. Serge Savard Montréal Canadiens

    4 seasons sampled · peak 1974 · 20G 41A 61P · +74 · 80 GP
    59Peak
23. Brent Burns San Jose Sharks

    6 seasons sampled · peak 2018 · 16G 67A 83P · +13 · 82 GP
    51Peak
24. Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche

    2 seasons sampled · peak 2024 · 31G 64A 94P · +29 · 80 GP
    66Peak
25. Erik Karlsson San Jose Sharks

    5 seasons sampled · peak 2022 · 25G 76A 101P · -26 · 82 GP
    54Peak
26. Sergei Zubov Pittsburgh Penguins

    4 seasons sampled · peak 1995 · 14G 70A 85P · +36 · 64 GP
    57Peak
27. Devon Toews Colorado Avalanche

    2 seasons sampled · peak 2021 · 16G 55A 71P · +65 · 66 GP
    64Peak
28. Sergei Gonchar Washington Capitals

    6 seasons sampled · peak 1999 · 20G 40A 61P · +29 · 73 GP
    48Peak
29. Borje Salming Toronto Maple Leafs

    3 seasons sampled · peak 1976 · 13G 71A 84P · +49 · 76 GP
    59Peak
30. Steve Duchesne Los Angeles Kings

    8 seasons sampled · peak 1988 · 26G 52A 78P · +32 · 79 GP
    47Peak

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