The 30-year-old American reached a career-high 46 points last season while primarily logging defensive minutes for the Lightning; he was the team's top penalty killer and averaged more time at even-strength than any other skater on the team. He's a skilled playmaker who's strong in the faceoff circle. Alex Pietrangelo saying "Sorry, Steener" after jumping into Alexander Steen after scoring in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is so Canadian it hurts. John Carlson finds Alex Ovechkin for a beautiful power-play goal. Getty Images Call Hamilton a risky pick for No. Getty Images Ivan Provorov DESTROYS Matt Barzal then checks to see if he’s alright ... pic.twitter.com/glP6ITx6gU. https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/4e/34/marc-edouard-vlasic-san-jose-sharls_vol2fpg8e9hm11pcvd7h7qljg.png?t=-1502190804&w=500&quality=80. After 56 games, the 22-year-old left wing has 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points. The 2017 Norris Trophy winner leads all NHL defenseman in total points (226) over the last three seasons. Vlasic may never win a Norris Trophy without a top-tier offensive performance, but he is widely regarded as one of the best "defensive defensemen" in the game. 2. pic.twitter.com/F2fKi5zKmE. For those who feel Karlsson skews too far in the direction of "offensive-minded" defensemen, there is Doughty who plays well in all three zones while still contributing offensively. One thing Hedman excels at is making safe, effective passes ; when he is in his own zone, this results in effective breakouts and earned offensive possession. Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets remains among the NHL's top defensemen.

https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/e4/4e/ivan-provorov-philadelphia-flyers_1cbcg48xpp63l1quds9x63rhrh.png?t=-1503045884&w=500&quality=80. Defenseman Justin Faulk is among the reasons the rebuilding Carolina Hurricanes find themselves with a shot at a playoff spot this season. Getty Images 23, but among defensemen, only Brent Burns has scored more goals than Hamilton over the last three seasons. With his best seasons still to come, he should remain among the league's best offensive forwards for some time. Wheeler's scoring consistency makes him the Jets' top forward.

"He blew everybody out of the water this season." He's the Flames' leading scorer by a wide margin and ranks among the league's top 10 point leaders.

the 5'9", 157-pounder seemed too small to successfully adapt to the NHL game, Jonathan Quick remains a reliable presence in goal for the Los Angeles Kings. It was short of the 67 that put him in Norris Trophy consideration the season before, but Klingberg remains one of the best point-producers at the position.

Sidney Crosby is the NHL's best player when healthy. Yet, at the same time, he was tied for fifth among all defensemen in primary assists (25) and third in goals (17). John Klingberg scored 8 goals in 82 games last season. The 29-year-old defenseman plays a reliable two-way game, capable of jumping into the play to create offense as well as providing a sturdy presence on the backend. By the 2018-19 season, he was playing up to 25 minutes a night, leading all Philadelphia skaters. He's also a likely finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. The 26-year-old was initially pegged as the next-big-thing in Boston, and although he has not quite reached a "dominant" level at the position, he is one of the more effective point producers from the blue line in the NHL. When the puck came back into his zone, the then 19-year-old calmly put his body between his man and the puck, shifted the puck back to his partner and created another zone entry for the Stars. Getty Images

Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning. After 54 games, the 23-year-old native of South St. Paul, Minnesota, has 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points. Heiskanen charged down the ice with the puck the second he felt it on his stick and immediately created scoring chances for Dallas. The 29-year-old maneuvers himself well in the offensive zone and can drive the puck to the net, shifting around opposing defenders as easily as he can stand back and fire off a slapshot. At his current rate of production, Ryan could reach 30 goals for the first time since 2011-12, which would also mark the fifth time he's reached that plateau. He can score with a powerful slapshot and has a physical edge to his game, too.

The Sharks are happy to deploy him as such. Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane was an established NHL superstar before this season. Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler is on pace for a career season. It's rare to see such a top-tier player be traded twice in the first 10 years of his career; Subban moves to New Jersey in anticipation of leading a young and suddenly dangerous roster to the playoffs after missing out in 2018-19. Considering the Blue Jackets will rely on him now more than ever, the two-time All-Star and Norris Trophy contender could be in the final mix for some individual hardware soon enough. Career NHL stats: 272 games, 153 goals, 123 assists I think Matthews will be the first American-born player with 600 goals -- … He has never scored more than 40 points in a season, but his impeccable efforts on defense provide the rest of his team space to hunt goals.