Utah Mammoth fans will notice the absence of Mikhail Sergachev from the top defensemen list, which was published Sunday evening. 18 in 2025, so this year’s rankings beg the question: Did Sergachev get worse, or did others simply get better? More points, but fewer goalsSergachev isn’t a 75-plus-point guy like the names at the top of the list, but he is consistently just outside the top 10 in points among NHL defensemen. 7 spot on NHL Network’s list after unanimously winning the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year. Joining Sergachev as 2025 top-20 defensemen who didn’t make the 2026 list were Thomas Harley and Gustav Forsling — perhaps more jarring exclusions that Sergachev.