Top 23-and-under defensemen in NHL in 3 seasons ranked

NHL Network continues a nine-part series Sunday (6 p.m. ET) looking at the best players in the League right now. The third installment will rank the top 20 defensemen. To add to that conversation, we asked 10 NHL.com writers to rank the 23-and-under defensemen they think will be the best in the NHL in three seasons, with each voter awarding 10 points to the player ranked No. 1, nine for No. 2, and so on. Below are the top 7. 

The NHL has a great group of young, impressive defensemen whose abilities and poise make them stand out despire their age. More such players are on the way after being selected in the past several NHL Drafts.

But who are the best of these up-and-coming defensemen?

NHL.com tried to answer that by looking at those defensemen who have yet to turn 24 and trying to project how they will rank against each other in three seasons.

Some, like Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, have been impact players in the League for several years now. Others, such as Owen Power of the Sabres and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, are just beginning to get their opportunities. 

Here is the NHL.com list of the 23-and-under defensemen who could be the best in the NHL in three seasons:

Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres (89 voting points): The 23-year-old has continuously improved through his five NHL seasons since being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. and had League career highs last season in goals (15), assists (58) and points (73). He had 32 power-play points (six goals, 26 assists), second on the Sabres to center Tage Thompson, who had 34 points. Dahlin has one season remaining on a three-year, $18 million contract ($6 million average annual value) he signed Sept. 22, 2021, and Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams said June 21 the Sabres want to sign Dahlin to a long-term contract. Considering what he has accomplished thus far, it’s a good bet Dahlin will keep putting up great seasons for Buffalo for a long time to come.

Video: BUF@DAL: Dahlin blasts in a one-timer from the point

Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres (78): Not one, but two stellar, young defensemen? Yes, the Sabres have a great setup with Dahlin and Power, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old had a strong season with 35 points (four goals, 31 assists) in 79 games and was a finalist for the 2023 Calder Trophy, awarded to the League’s best rookie (he finished third in the voting behind Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers and Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner. Like Dahlin, Adams said June 21 that Buffalo aims to secure Power to a long-term deal; he signed a three-year, entry-level contract on April 8, 2022. Power has great potential to become one of the NHL’s best.

Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings (65 points): The 22-year-old, selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, has been steady and durable in his first two seasons in the League. He won the Calder Trophy in 2022 after finishing with 50 points (seven goals, 43 assists) in 82 games and wasn’t far off those numbers last season, with 42 points (five goals, 37 assists), again in 82 games. He led the Red Wings averaging 23:09 of ice time per game (fellow defenseman Filip Hronek was next at 21:32). As Detroit attempts to recapture its past success, Seider is going to be one of its key players leading the way.

Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks (58): The Canucks have struggled to find consistency the past few seasons, but Hughes, the No. 7 pick in the 2018 draft, has not. The 23-year-old had 76 points (seven goals, 69 assists) in 78 games last season, third on Vancouver and tied for second with Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets (76 points; 16 goals, 60 assists) among defenseman in the NHL behind Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks (101 points; 25 goals, 76 assists). Hughes also led the Canucks with 34 power-play points (two goals, 32 assists). Smart and skilled, he quickly has become one of Vancouver’s leaders on and off the ice.

Video: VAN@STL: Hughes scores his second goal of the game

Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils (55): Yes, as you can see, talent just runs deep in the Hughes family. Following in the footsteps of older brothers Quinn and Jack, a center with the Devils, Luke Hughes, the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft, is looking to carve out his own niche in the NHL. The 19-year-old got a taste of it last season, with two points (goal, assist) in two regular-season games and two assists in three Stanley Cup Playoff games. Obviously, more is expected of him this season and considering the family pedigree, is there any doubt he’ll be the next Hughes to make his mark in the League?

Bowen Byram, Colorado Avalanche (37): There’s no question about the talent of the 22-year-old, who the Avalanche took with the No. 4 pick in the 2019 draft. The problem for Byram has been his health. Concussions sidelined him through his first two seasons and a lower-body injury kept him out three months last season. He did play 42 games in 2022-23, with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists). Here’s hoping Byram has and maintains great health going forward. If he can, he’ll play a bigger part on an already strong Colorado defense.

K’Andre Miller, New York Rangers (31): The 23-year-old has been a steady, reliable presence in three seasons with the Rangers, who signed the restricted free agent to a two-year contract ($3.872 million AAV) on July 11. Miller, the No. 22 pick in the 2018 draft, had NHL career highs in goals (nine), assists (34) and points (43) in 79 games last season and averaged 21:57 of ice time per game, second on New York to fellow defenseman Adam Fox (24:23). Miller has been exactly what the Rangers have needed thus far and as part of a defense that includes Fox and Jacob Trouba, should keep getting better with age.