Where Does Zdeno Chara Rank Among The NHL's Best D-Men Ever?

Where Does Zdeno Chara Rank Among The NHL's Best Defensemen?

Zdeno Chara, now a Hockey Hall of Famer, was celebrated this past weekend for his remarkable career. The conversation naturally turned to how he ranks among the greatest NHL defensemen of all time.

While Chara’s legacy as a dominant blueliner is unquestionable, some analysts stop short of placing him within the top ten of all time. Recognizing his era-defining presence on and off the ice, they still position him just outside that elite circle.

Comparing Chara with the Legends

To include Chara in the top ten would mean bumping one of hockey’s enduring icons off the list. The question arises: could he truly outrank these historic names?

“To put Chara in the top 10, you’d have to remove an icon from the list.”

The consensus among many hockey observers is that while Chara falls just short of that group, he belongs comfortably in the top 15 of all time.

The Next Tier of Greats

Players in that next bracket would include talents like Al MacInnis, Brian Leetch, Scott Niedermayer, and Brad Park — all of whom shaped eras of elite two-way defense.

Looking Ahead to Modern Stars

Modern defensemen such as Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Victor Hedman also have a chance to enter that pantheon, though their stories in the NHL are still being written.

Chara’s Lasting Impact

Regardless of where he lands on an all-time list, Zdeno Chara’s influence on the game is profound — a player whose size, leadership, and longevity helped redefine what a defenseman could be in the modern NHL.

Author’s Summary: Zdeno Chara’s greatness is undeniable, yet most historians rank him just outside the NHL’s top ten defensemen, firmly among the most impactful blueliners in league history.

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The Hockey News The Hockey News — 2025-11-12

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