NHL Top 20 Defensemen Revealed: Schaefer Debuts at No. 7

Matthew Schaefer was not even eligible for this list a year ago.

NHL Network revealed its top 20 defensemen for 2026-27 on Sunday night, and the Islanders rearguard came in at No. 7. He had not played an NHL game when the 2025-26 edition came out. Twelve months later he owns a unanimous Calder Trophy, all 198 first-place ballots, and 23 goals that matched Brian Leetch’s record for a rookie defenseman.

Watch the moment the Calder went his way:

Cale Makar held the top spot, which was the widely expected outcome. Quinn Hughes stayed second and new Norris winner Zach Werenski stayed third, leaving the podium untouched.

As a group, the 20 account for 21 All-Star Game appearances, seven Norris Trophies, seven Olympic gold medals, four Calder Trophies, two Conn Smythes and six Stanley Cups. Here is the full board:

Lane Hutson made the biggest climb of anyone. The Canadiens defenseman sat 19th last summer, then put up 78 points in 82 games and jumped all the way to No. 6.

Take a look at him winning one by himself in overtime:

Victor Hedman went the other direction by the same 13 spots. He dropped from fifth to 18th after a 33-game season broken up by an elbow injury and a leave to focus on his mental health. Josh Morrissey fell 10 places to 16th and Roman Josi slid six to 15th.

Three names from last year’s group are gone: Gustav Forsling, Thomas Harley and Mikhail Sergachev. Moritz Seider at No. 9 and Jackson LaCombe at No. 17 filled two of those openings alongside Schaefer.

Colorado and Minnesota were the only clubs with two defensemen ranked. Makar and Devon Toews handled it for the Avalanche, Hughes and Brock Faber for the Wild.

Jakob Chychrun scored 26 goals last season, more than any defenseman who made the cut. He is not on it.