NHL Network top 20 defensemen entering 2026-27: 5 questions

NHL Network will unveil its list of the top 20 defensemen for the 2026-27 season on Sunday (7 p.m. ET).

Before revealing the picks, which were voted on by members of NHL Network, media and NHL.com, we take a look at possible additions and changes from last year’s top 20, answering five pressing questions in the process.

As a refresher, here were the top 20 defensemen last season:

20. Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild; 19. Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens; 18. Mikhail Sergachev, Utah Mammoth; 17. Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche; 16. Adam Fox, New York Rangers; 15. Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights; 14. Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars; 13. Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators; 12. Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers; 11. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins; 10. Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers; 9. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators; 8. Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes; 7. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres; 6. Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets; 5. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars; 3. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets; 2. Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild; 1. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche.

Which player from last season's list will make the biggest jump?

Lane Hutson was ranked No. 19 on this list a year ago and is 22 years old, so he has a lot of room to jump and the potential to do it. In 2024-25, he had 66 points (six goals, 60 assists) in 82 games for the Montreal Canadiens, leading all NHL rookies in scoring, not just rookie defensemen. Last season he improved to 78 points (12 goals, 66 assists) in 82 games for Montreal. What's next for an up-and-coming player on an up-and-coming team? -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Which defenseman will make this season's list after missing out last season?

The answer is easy. Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders couldn't be on the list last year because when it came out he hadn't yet played in an NHL game. Schaefer was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and came into the NHL with big expectations. And to date, he has blown them away. Schaefer was the unanimous selection to win the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, securing all 198 first-place votes from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Among NHL defensemen last season, he was second in goals (23), tied for 21st in assists (36), tied for 14th in points (59) and tied for 11th in time on ice per game (24:41; minimum 20 games). He played in all 82 games. He will crack the top 20 next year, if not the top 10, and likely will stay there for a very long time. -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

Will Cale Makar be No. 1 on the 2026-27 edition of this list?

Makar will be right there for sure. The 27-year-old had 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games last season. Those numbers are impressive, but they were a bit of a slip for Makar, who reached the 90-point threshold in each of the previous two seasons. He should be healthy to start the season after a longer-than-desired offseason for the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners, who were eliminated in four games in the Western Conference Final. Zach Werenski is going to push for the top spot, as might Lane Hutson, but it says here that Makar will hold onto the top spot for another season. -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

Which under-21 defenseman is closest to breaking into this group this season?

Cole Hutson might be overshadowed by his older brother, Lane, right now. But it likely won't be too long before Cole carves out a spot among the top defensemen in the NHL. The 20-year-old gave a sneak preview last season with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 14 games after joining the Washington Capitals following his sophomore season at Boston University. He averaged 17:27 of ice time but played more than 18 minutes in six of his final seven games, showing he earned the trust of the coaching staff while the Capitals still were fighting for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With a full training camp, it's fair to expect even more from Hutson this season. -- Adam Kimelman, staff writer

Who will be the No. 1 defenseman five seasons from now?

Lane Hutson because of the age curve and just knowing what he’s already accomplished two full seasons into his NHL career (146 points; 18 goals, 128 assists, 166 games). In five seasons, Hutson will be 27, the sweet spot for an elite puck-moving defenseman. I anticipate Montreal being even better, and he'll likely be the focal point of every element of their game: top pair, first power-play unit, late-game offense, transition engine. If the team improves around him, his point totals and reputation will be undeniable. -- Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer