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The 2024 Calder Trophy runner-up—and quite frankly, arguably should have won it considering his impact playing against top- line forwards all season as a rookie—is hav- ing another tremendous 2024-25 season. His production may be down, but his defensive numbers certainly isn't. He is a rock on the back end. He's a natural skater who can log 30 minutes a night if you ask him in any situation. The former University of Minnesota captain signed an eight-year extension that kicks in next season and he'll be a stalwart for many years to come on a blue line that should soon include Zeev Buium and David Jiricek. Former Gophers teammate looks like he has found a home on the rebuilding Anaheim blue line. It's truly impressive how LaCombe has settled in and he may be the state's most improved NHLer at just 24 years old. He averages 20 minutes a night, was an even plus-minus player in late January for a team that's trying to improve defensively and he plays in all situations. He's big, he can shoot and he can skate, and you can see why the Ducks waited patiently for the four-year lettermen. The Rogers native and former St. Cloud State standout was stunned when he was traded to Ottawa from the Washington Capitals last summer, but ask anybody in Ottawa, and Jensen did wonders this season helping make the Sens competitive. He took a lot of pressure off young Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, who's entering his prime years. Jensen is a sound defensive mainstay who can log big minutes and gives Ottawa a trusted veteran to put out in the most stressful moments of a game. This kid may be the most underrated defenseman in the Western Conference. Because he's out in L.A., you never hear about him, yet he has been a stud for a Kings team that lost Drew Doughty for more than half the season with an exhibition game ankle injury. The 25-year-old Fridley-born former Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog is a tremendous two-way defensem- an who is an exceptional skater and can also play physically. His defense metrics are downright superb. Like Guentzel, technically born in Nebraska, but the Hermantown native is "one of us." And, boy oh boy, has he had a great year. Despite not being the biggest blue liner, he can tattoo you physically and can let rip a big shot. Along with Josh Morrissey, he is Winnipeg's most relied upon defenseman. He's terrific when he's making a quick pass out of the zone or joining the rush. Traded to Nashville after the 2022 Stanley Cup final, McDonagh got his wish and was dealt back to Tampa Bay from Nashville before the season. And as usual, the former Minnesota Mr. Hockey from Cretin-Derham Hall has been as steady as it comes. While he doesn't put up the points he once did, he just does everything right, which is why the Light- ning wanted him back once they had the cap space to make it work again. P R E S E N T E D B Y M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 29 BROCK FABER LACOMBE JACKSON JENSEN NICK MCDONAGH RYAN PIONK NEAL ANDERSON MIKEY DEFENSE Nick Jensen