Devon Toews is still considered one of the NHL’s top defensemen, but the Colorado Avalanche blueliner took a small step backward in the NHL Network’s latest rankings
Toews, 32, landed at No. 20 on this year’s list, which was revealed on Sunday, of the league’s top 20 defensemen right now, falling three spots from the No. 17 position he occupied a year ago. The ranking comes after a regular season in which Toews posted just three goals and 24 points in 68 games.
His 24 points were his lowest total in a full season since joining the Avalanche, while his three goals were tied for the fewest he has scored in a season since becoming an NHL regular.
In the postseason, the veteran defenseman registered two goals and 11 points in 13 playoff games, giving him the second-highest postseason point total of his career. The only time he produced more came during Colorado’s 2021-22 Stanley Cup run, when he recorded 15 points in 20 games.
Toews also shouldered a massive workload during Colorado’s playoff run. He averaged 25:39 per game, the second-highest postseason ice-time average of his career, trailing only his 25:53 mark during the Avalanche’s championship run.
Obviously, there’s more to Toews’ game than just offensive production. He is highly regarded as one of the best defensive defenseman in the game and has been for the better part of the last half-decade. Toews is entering his seventh season with the Avs and has spent the previous five years on the top pair with Cale Makar.
His ability to handle difficult defensive assignments, move the puck efficiently, and play massive minutes remains a significant part of what makes him so valuable to the Avalanche.
The NHL Network’s annual list ranks the top 20 players at each position heading into the upcoming season, offering a snapshot of how they view the NHL’s best players.
It’s likely Makar’s name will appear at or near the top again as the list continues to be revealed.
In a previous list ranking the wingers, Martin Necas landed at No. 15.