Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: #7
Coming in at number seven on our countdown is a defenseman who most casual NHL fans might not know: Anton Stralman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Like Leddy, Stralman’s value comes in his elite puck possession numbers. In 2014-15, his first season with Tampa Bay, he ranked in the top 20 in CF% (56.24%), CF% relative (4.78%), FF% (55.93%), FF% relative (4.17%), scoring chances for percentage (58.47%), SCF% relative (6.94%), high danger scoring chances for percentage (58.28%) and HDSCF% relative (6.29%). Basically, if you can think of a puck possession number, chances are Stralman is among the NHL’s elite in it. He did all of that despite facing less offensive zone starts than his teammates.
More from Capitals News
- Breaking down the Rookie Camp roster
- Hear what Magic Johnson said about Alex Ovechkin
- Capitals announce Rookie Camp schedule
- Breaking down the 2023-24 Capitals national TV schedule
- Capitals Alumni Weekend is coming back
Stralman isn’t the most productive defenseman, but he still gets the job done. He finished 31st among all NHL defenseman with 1.03 points per 60 minutes at even-strength. He also finished just behind Duncan Keith in even-strength goals per 60 minutes (0.28). In assists per 60 minutes at even-strength, he finished 44th (0.75). He doesn’t have much of a history of being productive, though.
Even when he’s not productive, he dominates possession. He’s a huge reason why one of his teammates (who appears later on this list) has an excellent shot at winning the Norris Trophy in 2015-16. Stralman is one of the best defensemen in the NHL, no doubt about it.
Next: #6