Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: #2
Coming in at number two on our list is a Norris Trophy winner who has embraced his role as one of the NHL’s villains: P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens. Subban has a bit of a negative reputation around the league because of his confidence (often confused as arrogance), his hard hits and his undeniable penchant for embellishment. However, there are very few defensemen better than Subban. He has quite the resume.
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Over the past three seasons, Subban ranks 16th (minimum 1000 ES minutes) in even-strength points per 60 minutes (1.06), 14th in assists per 60 minutes (0.82) and 36th in goals per 60 minutes (0.24). However, he also ranks 184th in penalty differential (-23). Perhaps he isn’t as good at embellishment as everyone thinks he is? He also ranks 17th (minimum 100 minutes on the PP) in power play points per 60 minutes (4.67).
What makes Subban stand out? His impressive possession numbers. He ranks sixth in even-strength CF% relative (5.36%), 14th in SCF% relative (4.39), seventh in FF% relative (4.41%) and 11th in HDSCF% relative (5.32%). The Canadiens are an entirely different team when Subban is on the ice. There is no reason to believe that he won’t be a serious Norris Trophy candidate again this season after being a finalist last season.
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