In the most recent issue of Hockey News, Jared Clinton ranks every NHL team’s defense corps from best to worst. Leading the pack is the Colorado Avalanche, boasting stars like Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Munson, and Brent Burns. They are followed by the Dallas Stars, featuring three Olympians—Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Hurley, and Esa Lindell—and the Florida Panthers with Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, and Seth Jones round out the top three.
So, where do the Montreal Canadiens fit in? They come in sixth place. Clinton credits this ranking to the addition of Lane Hutson, which transformed the team’s defense, along with Noah Dobson, whose presence has strengthened the blue line significantly. While these points are valid, there’s more to consider beneath the surface.
For the Canadiens to claim the sixth-best defense in the league, standout players are essential. Hutson is clearly emerging as a star, and Dobson’s role in replacing retired right-shot defenseman David Savard has been vital. Dobson’s arrival was hugely welcomed since the team had been lacking a player like him for some time.
Mike Matheson also deserves recognition for his offensive contributions, willingness to re-sign on a team-friendly contract, and focus on penalty killing despite limited power play time. These three defenders make Montreal a formidable threat, especially in overtimes, giving coach Martin St. Louis plenty of strategic options considering the team’s depth up front.
Beyond these key players, Kaiden Guhr shows promise as a mobile and physical defenseman but has struggled with injuries, meaning the team needs contingency plans for his potential absences. Alex Carrier, who initially seemed like a defensive stabilizer, has had a tougher season and hasn’t been as reliable as before, possibly impacted by a playoff injury from Tom Wilson. Meanwhile, Jaden Struble and Arbor Shekaj have been battling for the sixth defensive spot without decisively outperforming each other, while Adam Engstrom from Sweden has been impressing lately and proving capable in challenging situations.
Additionally, David Leinbacher is working hard to improve and stay healthy in Laval, creating a crowded but competitive scenario on the Canadiens’ back end. The team will eventually need to make tough decisions about players like Struble, Shekaj, and Guhr. Despite these uncertainties, the team’s defense deserves its high ranking—provided everyone stays healthy.
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Fan Take: This ranking highlights the rising defensive strength of the Canadiens, signaling a promising future for one of hockey’s historic franchises. For fans, it means excitement not just in the present season but also hope for sustained defensive excellence that could shake up the league’s balance of power.
