This post was originally published on the CanucksArmy
How many franchise defensemen are there in the league right now? I count five (Zdeno Chara, Nick Lidstrom, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, and Chris Pronger). There are a few more right on the cusp, like Drew Doughty, Keith Yandle, and Kris Letang. Each of the 30 NHL clubs carries anywhere from six to eight defensemen, meaning there are approximately 200-220 defensemen in the NHL at any given time. Less than three percent of the total defensemen are by my definition “franchise material” at this moment in time. How I would define these players in the top talent bracket:
- Able to contribute offensively at even strength and on the power play
- Steady defensively, consistently playing tough minutes in different situations
- Often make those around them much more successful
- Physicality is a plus, but not a requirement
