Predicting the High 10 Left Defensemen in NHL 25

NHL 25 is shortly approaching. Chel gamers are just a few weeks away from with the ability to play the brand new sport and see simply how totally different the gameplay feels with all of the latest features they have added.

This week, EA Sports activities will reveal their top-rated gamers within the sport, beginning on the winger place on Sept. 16. The gamers who patrol the blueline comply with subsequent in line. And we will assume that cover athlete Quinn Hughes will likely be amongst the highest-rated defensemen.

Earlier than we do our predictions, right here is the place the highest LD blueliners rank amongst one another in NHL 24:

1. Quinn Hughes – 95

2. Roman Josi – 94

3. Victor Hedman – 93

4. Rasmus Dahlin – 91

5. Miro Heiskanen – 91

6. Josh Morrissey – 89

7. Shea Theodore – 89

8. Devon Toews – 89

9. Morgan Rielly – 88

10. Mikhail Sergachev – 88 
    *Vince Dunn, Adam Pelech, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski, MacKenzie Weegar (Weegar is a right-shot however primarily performs on the left aspect).

Related: Introducing Next-Gen Characters in NHL 25

Beneath are our predictions of what NHL 25’s prime 10 LD participant scores will likely be.

1. Quinn Hughes – Vancouver Canucks – 95

We see no cause why the reigning James Norris trophy winner, who led all defensemen in scoring final season with 92 factors, would have his general adjusted from the 95 he completed with in NHL 24. He deserves to be one of many highest-rated defensemen within the sport, alongside a sure Colorado Avalanche right-shot defender.

2. Roman Josi – Nashville Predators – 94

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi acquired a +1 to his participant ranking in NHL 24’s final roster replace. He must be unveiled because the second-highest-rated LD behind Hughes at 94 general. Josi led all defensemen in targets in 2023-24 with 23 and his 85 factors had been the second-most factors he is recorded in a season (scored 96 factors in 2021-22)

3. Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay Lightning – 93

Within the 2022-23 season, Victor Hedman’s efficiency declined as he solely managed to attain 49 factors in 76 video games. This was his lowest level complete in a season with a minimal of 60 video games performed since 2015-16. The 2-time Stanley Cup Champion returned to kind final season, recording 70+ factors for the third time in his profession. He is nonetheless amongst the highest 5 finest defensemen within the league.

Related: New to NHL 25: Grudge Match

4. Miro Heiskanen – Dallas Stars – 91

Miro Heiskanen’s manufacturing fell off in 2023-24 after he recorded 73 factors within the earlier season. His 54 factors in 71 video games are nonetheless spectacular, however what stood out extra was his play within the playoffs, en path to a second consecutive Western Convention Finals look with the Dallas Stars. He might drop to a 90 general, however that may be stunning and a head-scratcher.

5. Rasmus Dahlin – Buffalo Sabres – 90

Right here we’ve our first change. We’ve got Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin falling from a 91 to a 90. There are two causes for this. Firstly, though he set a career-high in targets (20), his 59 factors final season had been 14 lower than the 73 he recorded in 2022-23. Secondly, we’re additionally factoring in Buffalo’s common season woes of failing to make the playoffs, and the way Dahlin didn’t have the chance to make up for his down yr within the post-season like Heiskanen did.

6. Gustav Forsling – Florida Panthers – 89

Everybody is aware of who Gustav Forsling is after he emerged as Florida’s finest defenseman of their Stanley Cup run. We debated predicting him with a 90 general ranking however determined towards it contemplating he would not replenish the scoresheet with factors like others. Nonetheless, a +3 ranking enhance from 86 to 89 appears fully truthful and warranted.

7. Devon Toews – Colorado Avalanche – 89

There must be no change for Colorado Avalanche left-shot defenseman Devon Toews. He performed all 82 video games final season and matched his 50 factors from 2022-23. Cale Makar steals the highlight in Colorado, however Toews is a really underrated defenseman who hides in No. 8’s shadow at instances.

8. Zach Werenski – Columbus Blue Jackets – 89

A wholesome Zach Werenski is one thing we like to see. The Blue Jackets prime defenseman performed 70 video games final season and set a career-high in factors with 57. Werenski is a machine in Columbus that logs heavy minutes each single evening and deserves somewhat +1 enhance in recognition.

9. Josh Morrissey – Winnipeg Jets – 89

Josh Morrissey stays put at 89 general. It was going to be a problem to match his unimaginable 76-point breakout season in 2022-23, however he just about matched it final season with 69 factors and was a plus-34. Much more impressively, 50 of his 69 factors got here at even energy, exhibiting that he did not depend on the powerplay to rack up the factors.

10. Shea Theodore – Vegas Golden Knights – 89

Shea Theodore battled accidents final season, which stored him to solely 47 video games. It is the second yr in a row the place he is performed lower than 60 video games within the yr, however he is nonetheless producing at practically some extent per sport. In 2023-24, his 42 factors had him on tempo for a 70-point season if he performed the total yr. If that occurred, we’d’ve talked about him being a 90 and even 91 general.

Related: Improvements to Hitting Coming in NHL 25

NHL 25 scores may be seen here and on EA Sports activities NHL’s social media channels.

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