TOP 10 DEFENCEMAN RANKINGS | Loads of Top Pairing Upside?

The blueline class in the 2026 NHL Draft is hyped up for a reason, with potential top pair pieces available, like Carels, Reid, and Verhoeff. As we begin to unveil our final rankings this week, we present our top 10 defencemen, all of whom are clear 1st round talents in our eyes. From the shifty undersized dynamos Xavier Villeneuve and Tommy Bleyl to the hulking Maksim Sokolovskii and Malte Gustafsson, the variety of profiles available is impressive. What would your rankings look like? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.