The Top 10 Defensemen (Statistically) in s39 AHL

As expected here are the top 5 LD and top 5 RD. Because I ranked them together there are 4 LDs left out that ranked higher than the RDs, but as always the top 25 for each position will be at the end of the thread.

Because I am ranking defensemen instead of forwards now, I updated the statistics used to calculate the overalls. Here are the changes:

Before:

Offense - Points Per Game, Goals Per Game, Assists Per Game

Defense - Takeaways Per Game, Interceptions Per Game, Own End Efficiency

Team Play - Penalties Per Game, Plus Minus Per Game, Win Percentage

After:

Offense - Points Per Game, Assists Per Game, Plus Minus Per Game

Defense - Takeaways Per Game, Interceptions Per Game, Own End Efficiency

Team Play - Puck Possession Per Game, Penalties Per Game, Win Percentage

I wanted to fit Puck Possession Per Game in because I think that is one of the stats that (most times) represents skill, especially for defensemen in the AHL. The top-end defensemen are usually the ones running the breakouts, which would result in a high Puck Possession time.

I took out goals per game because I felt that represented skill the least among the rest of the stats. If you have any feedback for other stats I could try using instead of the 9 listed above, please let me know. I kind of just took a guess for these.

Reminder: Overalls are calculated by ranking your stat against everyone else's and then assigned a value between 50 (worst) and 99 (best).


**THESE RANKINGS ONLY ARE BASED ON STATS NOT SKILL**


Anyways, here are the top 5 defensemen at each position:





#5 - @PigsOnJupiter (LD) / @K inG x NeymaR (RD)

Pigs had a very successful first season on defense. You would think an elite forward transitioning to defense would mean high offensive stats, but that is not the case. Pigs has the second-highest defensive rating among the top 10 defensemen overall. It's safe to say he was a pillar on the back end for Charlotte.

I don't know a whole lot about Neymar. In the one game I played against him, he carried his team defensively. Although the stats don't exactly represent it. But I would have to imagine playing on a team like Toronto probably affects his stats quite a bit. Overall a great season considering the team he was on.





#4 - @ALERGH (LD) / @Mr WorldWlde 69 (RD)

In my opinion, Alergh is one of the more underrated guys in the A. Luckily for Bridgeport he's on a DP contract. Not to mention he played most of his games with Bridgeport's third line. Although having the best defensive C in the AHL (@TITOTHICMEAT ) is probably an advantage.

Similar to Neymar, I don't know much about Worldwide, but he does have an elite gamertag. I'm sure it wasn't easy playing on Texas this season. But he was able to finish with a respectable record as well as solid stats.





#3 - @BigD Auditor (LD) / @killamilla6 (RD)

I'm sure it's not a surprise to see BigD in the top 5. The most well-rounded stats we have seen so far, as well as holding the title for best record, places BigD at #3. Bridgeport's top defenseman comes in at #4 overall as well.

Killa has had himself an awesome regular season, but due to some unfortunate circumstances had his postseason ended early. Having himself and Pigs gave Charlotte a top D pair they may have been missing last season.





#2 - @xBeg I37I (LD) / @Zach x 56 (RD)

I personally had Beg as a top 5 d man before I ran the numbers so this isn't a surprise to me and shouldn't be to anyone. What really stands out is his Puck Possession. If you watch any of his games, Beg is the alpha on the ice. The breakouts rarely run through anyone else. His elite vision allows his team to enter the opponent's zone at will.

Zach, like Alergh is also a name that you don't hear come up as much. His stats aren't as well-rounded as most, but he clearly is a two-way defenseman based on his Assists/GP as well as his position leading OEE.





#1 - @Tibbernac (LD) / @vBxnditt (RD)

Bandit at #1 for RD and #2 overall is exactly where I personally had him. Leading all defensemen in Points Per Game as well as Assists Per Game will separate him from most. I think of him and Tibby as a 1A/1B comparison. And in fact, Bandit was only behind Tibby by 0.06 OVR which accurately represents how close these two are. Regardless, I personally believe them to be the best at their positions respectfully.

Tibby's stats are just flat-out jaw-dropping. The only defenseman to be at least a 90 OVR in every category shows why he is #1. Although he didn't lead in any of them, which visualizes how amazing his overall game was this season. His worst stat being Plus Minus Per Game, but you can interpret that stat in so many different ways. It's almost 100% that one of these two will take home the Eddie.


**AGAIN THESE ARE BASED ON STATS NOT SKILL**


As mentioned here are the top 50 Defensemen (Statistically):

A total of 136 Players were ranked



This is not an accurate representation of skill. Just stats and stats alone.​

 

i suck

 

mom i made it to the top 50

 

ggs @Tibbernac

 

@brax96 u suck bro where is ur name

 

@Tibbernac well done

 

Zach is Elite

 

I SEE YOU SEEING ME @Fleury l8l !!!! My mans Alergh is a beasttttt
Cool thing you did here man, enjoyed all these.

 

ughhh something seems flawed here

 

I mean it’s pure stats. So not sure how there can be a flaw.

 

yeah not sure how i can be in top 50 given it is pure stats...

 

Need a top 35 list...

 

Nothing is more frustrating then a dman who holds the puck too long. Puck possession per game as a metric is in my opinion a bad one to use during ahl regular season play. Rest of it I thought was good. Regular season play is end to end as the vast majority of lines play next to no trap defence.

You should be managing, given your ability with stats I’m sure you’d assemble an elite team.

@Its a Full Send is the best player on the Cuda regardless of position and was ranked lower than everyone on our line which is a bit of a head scratcher.

 

Thats a good point. I kind of just assumed most teams trapped. Most of the teams I faced did this season, but I can understand what you're saying. Is there another stat you think should be used instead? Just curious always looking to improve my model.

There's no point in managing while I'm still an amateur. Send down bid is the best route and either be a PAGM or be an "advisor" if you know what I mean. And these rankings have nothing to do with skill, it's just pure stats. There's at least 10 guys id have in over some of these guys, that arent. Pearson is #6 for RWs. I think most of us agree, that if the rankings were on skill, it would be wrong. Anyways, thank you for the feedback.

 

@Fleury l8l you did a great job, wasn’t criticizing in any way!

I don’t have any additional stat I’d add. I didn’t look at pearsons stats but I’m guessing he missed cause of defensive metrics which isn’t surprising given how much Rico likely excels on said metrics. There are only so many takeaways and interceptions to go around per game.

Only other thing that would perhaps move the results is quality of opponent. I personally had a bad season and no way deserve to be higher than I was but I played 18/27 vs playoff teams and 6 #1 seeds in reg season. You’d probably see a bit of movement factoring that in as a bang average line statistically plays 13.5 playoff teams and 3 #1 seeds I think in a 27 game schedule. Factoring in even further and going line comparing would seemingly be near impossible.

This is the best media I’ve seen in the Ahl forums by far. Paid agm is what you should be considering given your status. This type of analysis would be incredibly beneficial in bidding, looking at the trade market etc.

I know we had a guy offered to us in a trade that was t5 in one of these lists and we didn’t do it because frankly nothing stood out. However, your analysis captured the value of his elite defensive skillset.

 

im sure my puck holding affected my stats badly lmao.

 

I safely assume the poor teams you were on at the start severely affected these numbers. ChiSouthSiderr was kind of in the same situation as you and he moved up 60 spots when I just used his stats with Bakersfield

 

true true

 

i was a minus 32 when i joined the cuda i think and ended up a plus 14? i beleive