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NHL Network ranks John Carlson the sixth best defenseman in NHL

By Cara Bahniuk

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August 19, 2019 1:35 pm

After publishing a list of the NHL’s top 20 centers and top 20 wingers, the NHL Network has released its top defenseman ranking. The Capitals’ John Carlson was ranked sixth on the list, behind Brent Burns, Victor Hedman, Mark Giordano, Erik Karlsson, and Seth Jones.

Here’s how the NHL explained the Carlson’s ranking:

6. John Carlson, Washington Capitals

After leading NHL defensemen with 68 points (15 goals, 53 assists) in 2017-18, Carlson set a new NHL career high with 70 (13 goals, 57 assists) last season. He had 33 power-play points, second among NHL defensemen behind Yandle’s 39, and a plus-21 rating. His 25:04 of ice time per game was the highest average of his NHL career. The 29-year-old helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, when he had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) and was plus-11 in 24 playoff games.

“The last couple of years he’s finally become that guy where we talk about one of the best defensemen in the game,” Daneyko said. “Always puts up big numbers offensively, he uses that big frame (6-foot-3, 218 pounds) around the net, he’s a terrific stick defender. There’s not much not to like about John Carlson’s game, and he really carries the load on the back end for the Washington Capitals.”

Overall, 15 of the 31 teams had a defenseman ranked and only five teams (San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, and Boston Bruins) were represented by more than one defenseman.

Carlson is ranked fourth overall in the league according to a fan vote.

What do you think of Carlson’s ranking and the NHL Network’s overall list?

Headline photo: @NHLNetwork