The NHL’s Top 10 Defensemen – A Personal List

Feb 21, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; Canada defenseman Duncan Keith (2) and defenseman Shea Weber (6) take the puck away from USA forward Max Pacioretty (67) in the men’s ice hockey semifinals during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Ice Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Defensemen are sometimes the most misunderstood position players in the NHL.  Scoring blueliners are often celebrated while the stoppers are often under-appreciated.  The best blueliners are the ones that can take care of business in all areas and any position on the ice.

So who are the top 10 defensemen in the NHL?  What follows is a personal list, and to determine it I simply took the point of view about which defenseman I would prefer if I had one game to play and needed to win.  Anyone could make their own list and come up with a different order and even add some different blueliners near the bottom end.  The first 6 or 7 it is hard to argue that they belong on anyone’s list.