Ranking the top-10 defensemen in the Metro Division

Adam Fox still holds the No. 1 slot but there was plenty of turnover beneath him.

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Every summer I like to rank the best Metro Division players by position and see how the New Jersey Devils stack up in each grouping.

I have already listed my six best goaltenders, eight best centers, and 10 best wingers. Lastly, it’s time for the defensemen.

1. Adam Fox (Last year: 1)

Fox comes in atop the list for the 4th consecutive season. The 26-year-old is at the peak of his powers and continues to dominate on a nightly basis.

He set a new high with 17 goals this past season and cleared a point per game for the first time in his career.

He is an intelligent defender who relies on positioning, decision-making, and stickwork to keep his team out of trouble.

With the puck? You’ve all seen how good he is a handful of times per season for what feels like forever.

He’s very active in the offensive zone and always putting defenders in bad spots, be it with precision passing or a well-timed pinch to attack a blindspot and find space in a high-danger area.

Fox led Rangers defenders in high-danger chance share and posted a +18 goal differential at 5v5. He also ranked 1st among all Metro Division defensemen in Goals Above Replacement (+18.5).

He’s as consistent as they come and has developed into a legitimate superstar at his position. Suffice to say, he’ll cause the Devils headaches for a long time.

2. Jaccob Slavin (LY: 3)

Slavin is certainly in the conversation for best defender in the league. He’s as good as it gets without the puck.

His combination of gap control, skating ability, reach, and timing make him nearly impossible to get around. He is always in the hip pocket of opposing team’s best players and simply gives them no room to breathe.

Trying to create offense against Slavin is like being squeezed by a snake. He wraps around you and tightens his grip until there’s no way out.

Slavin managed a 60 CF% and +15 goal differential at 5v5 despite playing a healthy chunk of his minutes against the best competition possible.

The Hurricanes only allowed 1.6 goals per 60 minutes with Slavin on the ice against elite competition, per PuckIQ. That’s a remarkably low number for someone to manage vs. the best of the best.

So long as Slavin is defending at such a level, it doesn’t much matter he’s only giving the ‘Canes 30-40 points per year.

3. Dougie Hamilton (LY: 4)