The NHL’s Best Defensive Pairs Heading Into the 2026-27 Season
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber carries the puck against the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 8, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Photo by Jenn G.
Written by Josie Dinonsie
A successful defensive pairing takes more than two talented players protecting their end of the ice. The best duos are defined by control, trust, balance, and chemistry. More importantly, those traits must be displayed every shift, night after night.
Heading into the 2026-27 season, several teams are fortunate enough to feature elite defensive pairings that could give them a significant advantage from the start. Some of these duos have years of experience together, while others are emerging as potential contenders for the title of the NHL’s best pairing.
Here are four projected top defensive duos entering the 2026-27 season.
Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm — Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers’ top defensive pairing may not have the same star power as some others on this list, but the combination of offensive production and defensive stability makes it one of the league’s most effective.
Bouchard has established himself as one of the NHL’s premier defensemen, especially after a career-best offensive season. He finished with an impressive 95 points, leading all NHL defensemen in scoring. His ability to generate offense from the blue line makes Edmonton even more dangerous alongside elite forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
While Bouchard drives the offense, Ekholm provides stability and reliability in the defensive zone. The 36-year-old veteran brings size, experience, and elite defensive awareness. He finished the season with a plus-32 rating while recording 41 points and averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time per game. Ekholm’s consistency allows Bouchard to be aggressive offensively without exposing the Oilers defensively.
They may not be the flashiest pairing in the league, but their complementary skill sets make them one of the NHL’s best.
Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson — Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo’s top pairing is one of the most intriguing in the league. Both players log heavy minutes while combining strong defensive play with offensive contributions.
Dahlin has developed into the cornerstone of the Sabres franchise since being selected first overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. As team captain, he controls games with elite skating, offensive instincts, and exceptional puck movement. Last season, he recorded a career-high 74 points, ranking sixth among NHL defensemen.
Samuelsson serves as the steady defensive presence, using his size and reach to neutralize some of the league’s most dangerous scorers. However, his game evolved significantly last season. The 26-year-old surpassed his previous career highs by a wide margin, recording 41 points while posting an impressive plus-41 rating and averaging 22 minutes of ice time per game.
Samuelsson’s growth has helped create a balanced partnership that allows Dahlin to maximize his offensive strengths. Together, they form a complete pairing capable of matching up against any opponent.
Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber — Minnesota Wild
This pairing is one of the newest on the list, as Hughes spent only part of last season in Minnesota following his trade from the Vancouver Canucks. Despite their limited time together, they quickly established themselves as one of the league’s premier defensive duos.
Hughes made an immediate impact after arriving in Minnesota. In 48 games with the Wild, he recorded 53 points and provided the offensive spark the blue line needed. His elite skating, transition game, and puck-moving ability create scoring opportunities throughout the ice. Just as importantly, his defensive awareness helps turn opposing chances into takeaways and transitions the puck back the other way.
Faber provides the steady presence alongside him. Averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time per game, he has become one of the league’s most dependable defenders. Playing next to Hughes, Faber reached career highs with 15 goals and 51 points, further highlighting the pair’s chemistry and effectiveness.
Together, Hughes and Faber have shown they can contribute offensively while maintaining strong defensive structure. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of their partnership is that they have yet to play a full season together. Their ceiling remains incredibly high, making them one of the NHL’s most promising defensive duos.
Cale Makar and Devon Toews — Colorado Avalanche
Makar and Toews are perhaps the least surprising pairing on this list. Year after year, they have proven themselves to be one of the NHL’s most dominant defensive tandems.
Makar remains the complete package. He generates offense, logs heavy minutes, kills penalties, and consistently shuts down elite opponents. Last season, he recorded 79 points in 75 games while posting a plus-32 rating and adding 29 power-play points. Few defensemen influence the game in as many ways as Makar.
Toews complements him perfectly. While his offensive production is more modest, his defensive impact is immense. He finished the season with a plus-37 rating while continuing to handle significant minutes against top competition. His steady play provides the foundation that allows Makar to be aggressive offensively without sacrificing defensive responsibility.
Together, their puck movement, hockey IQ, and ability to neutralize opposing attacks make them the NHL’s premier defensive pairing heading into the 2026-27 season.
