The Metropolitan Division’s blue-line pecking order for the 2026-27 NHL season starts with the reigning Norris Trophy winner and runs through a mix of proven stars, rising talents and a few defensemen who can tilt a game in very different ways.
At the top sits Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the case is simple: he’s the total package. Werenski piled up 81 points last season while averaging 26:37 per game.
He’s a real threat on the power play, solid enough defensively, and then ruthless once his team gets the puck back. That kind of all-situations value is what separates him from everyone else on this list.
Just behind him is Adam Fox of the New York Rangers, who had a frustrating year but still produced 53 points in 55 games. Fox finished top-5 in Norris voting from 2020-24, and he’ll be trying to get back into that territory this season. With the Rangers’ blueline reworked, there’s a strong chance he can do it.
Matthew Schaefer lands at No. 3 after a breakout season for the New York Islanders that looked almost unreal for an 18-year-old defenseman. He scored 23 goals and totaled 59 points while playing nearly 25 minutes a night, numbers that are rare for any player his age in the modern game. His skating and overall talent make the ceiling obvious.
Erik Karlsson checks in at No. 4 for the Pittsburgh Penguins after a strong second half last season. He may be a little long in the tooth, but his puck control and overall effectiveness still look as sharp as ever when he’s rolling.
Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes takes the fifth spot, and he remains one of the best all-around defensive defensemen in the sport. When he steps up in the zone, getting past him is almost impossible.
His positioning and stick work are consistently excellent, and he handles elite opponents with real success. He doesn’t bring the same offensive punch as some of the names above him, but that doesn’t make him any less valuable.
Another Hurricanes defenseman comes in next, with K’Andre Miller at No. 6 after a huge first season in Carolina. His penalty-kill impact is among the best in the league, and his 6’5” frame helps him play a forceful, effective game. He also has the hands to move the puck well.
Travis Sanheim of the Philadelphia Flyers sits at No. 7 after logging more than 24 minutes per game last season. He’s the kind of player coaches trust because he can handle so much and do it consistently. That value was enough to earn him a spot on Team Canada, too.
Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals is next, and his offense from the back end is hard to ignore. Over the last two seasons, only Cale Makar has scored more goals among NHL defensemen, with Chychrun putting up 46 to Makar’s 50. His shot and willingness to jump into the attack make him feel like a fourth forward who has to be tracked every shift.
Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils lands at No. 9. His game has had its ups and downs, but his offensive tools and special teams work still give him a positive impact when he’s on the ice.
Rounding out the list is Vladislav Gavrikov of the New York Rangers, whose first season in New York was a clear success even if plenty else went sideways for the team. He blew past his previous career best with 14 goals and finished with a personal-high 35 points. Gavrikov is known more for stopping pucks and playing the right way than for flash, which makes him an ideal stay-at-home partner for a top pair.
In Other News...
Penguins Prospects Have A Bigger Opportunity Than Just Winning In Detroit
The Penguins prospects headed to Detroit this week for the inaugural Prospect Tournament at Little Caesars Arena, a three-game look against Columbus, Detroit and Dallas that gives the organization a better read on its young talent before the season begins. After practicing at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, the group arrived with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Kirk MacDonald stressing that the bigger point is development, not just the scoreline.
For a team trying to keep its pipeline moving, these kinds of events matter because they can show who handles speed, structure and pressure against unfamiliar competition. The games will be streamed on the Penguins website, giving fans a chance to track more than the final result while the club sorts out which prospects are ready to take another step and which ones still have work to do. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Camp Battle Just Got Tougher For Young Players
The Penguins offseason additions have made training camp feel a little less open for the younger players trying to carve out a role. With Kyle Dubas continuing to prioritize roster flexibility and even signaling a willingness to use waivers to keep options open, the competition is shaping up to be as much about fit and timing as raw talent. Hendrix Lapierres arrival is part of that equation, adding another name to a group already under pressure to prove who belongs.
For players like Jake Livanavage, there may still be a path to making the roster if the right opportunity opens up. Others, including Tommy Galvas, are still in the earlier stages of development and may not be ready to force the issue just yet. It leaves Pittsburgh with a familiar camp storyline, where promise is real but the margin for a young player to break through appears thinner than it did a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]
Crosby Weighed In On A Coaching Hire Fans Still Debate
When the Oilers turned to Mike Babcock as their new head coach, the move instantly stirred the kind of reaction that tends to follow him everywhere. Edmonton is clearly making a push to go from contender to champion, and the hire puts a longtime taskmaster in charge of a roster built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, with the hope that structure and detail can help finish the job.
For Pittsburgh fans, the wrinkle is that Sidney Crosby has long been among the players who have spoken highly of Babcocks coaching and organizational demands. Even so, the reaction around the league has been split, because his track record continues to color how some view the decision. The Oilers are betting the upside outweighs the debate, but it is the sort of hire that will keep getting picked apart until the results settle the argument. [Read more 🡒]