Story Summary
A nine-member panel has published its annual ranking of the SHL’s best defencemen ahead of the 2026/27 season. Skellefteå’s Jonathan Pudas tops the list with 84 points, becoming the first player to be ranked the league’s best defenceman on four occasions. Örebro’s Robin Salo is second on 72 points and Växjö captain Joel Persson is third with 57 points. The aggregated ranking used nine individual top-10 ballots, with a maximum possible score of 90.
Key Facts
- Nine separate top-10 ballots were compiled to create the aggregated SHL defenceman ranking; a first-place vote was worth ten points and the maximum possible total was 90 points.
- 1) Jonathan Pudas, Skellefteå – 84 points. All jurors placed him on their lists; five jurors had him first and all nine had him in their top three. Pudas has won this ranking four times in the past five years (2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026).
- 2) Robin Salo, Örebro – 72 points. Salo was included on every juror’s list and received two first-place votes.
- 3) Joel Persson, Växjö – 57 points. Persson is the only player to have appeared on the panel every year the ranking has been run. He exceeded 40 points for the first time last season and was placed in the top three on five jurors’ ballots.
- 4) Henrik Tömmernes, Frölunda – 43 points. Tömmernes has featured prominently in previous years’ rankings, including first place in 2023.
- 5) Calvin de Haan, Rögle – 42 points. De Haan joined Rögle last season and immediately established himself among the SHL’s top blueliners, receiving at least one first-place vote.
- 7) Oscar Fantenberg, Linköping – 28 points. Fantenberg returned to the list after receiving no ranking points a year ago amid uncertainty over his injury, and he appeared on almost every ballot.
- 8) Pontus Johansson, Skellefteå – 23 points. Johansson emerges as ‘this season’s rocket’, receiving votes from about half the panel and as high as second on one ballot; he remained in Skellefteå despite NHL rumours.
- 9) Arvid Lundberg, Skellefteå – 22 points. Lundberg made the top ten despite being regarded primarily as a defensive specialist; he recorded eight goals and 21 points last season.
- Previous winners of the defenceman ranking: 2020 Erik Gustafsson (Luleå); 2021 Erik Gustafsson (Luleå); 2022 Jonathan Pudas (Skellefteå); 2023 Henrik Tömmernes (Frölunda); 2024 Jonathan Pudas (Skellefteå); 2025 Jonathan Pudas (Skellefteå).
IHM Discussion
The aggregated ballot confirms Jonathan Pudas’s standing as the panel’s leading SHL defenceman. His 84 points – five first-place votes and a top-three placing on every juror’s sheet – underline both peak performance and consistent recognition. The ranking also highlights the spread of quality across the league: Skellefteå place three defencemen in the top ten (Pudas, Pontus Johansson and Arvid Lundberg), while Örebro and Växjö each have two representatives.
Robin Salo’s second place and 72 points follow his 40-point season and captaincy at Örebro. Joel Persson’s third place continues a record of consistency: he is the only player to have appeared in the ranking every year it has been run. The voting rewarded both offensive production and established standing, with Quenneville’s 44-point season helping him into the top ten and Fantenberg returning to the voters’ consideration after his late-season comeback.
Why It Matters
The ranking sets expectations ahead of the season and identifies the defencemen likely to draw close attention. Pudas’s repeated top billing reinforces his standing as a central figure in Skellefteå’s blue line, while Salo’s placement and captaincy add to the focus on Örebro. Persson’s continued presence near the top highlights his consistency for Växjö. For Pontus Johansson, a first top-ten appearance after last season’s breakthrough creates a clear opportunity to show that he can sustain that level.
Mini Q&A
Who was ranked as the best defenceman?
Jonathan Pudas of Skellefteå, with 84 points.
How was the ranking compiled?
Nine individual top-10 ballots were aggregated; a first-place vote was worth ten points and the maximum possible total was 90.
Which clubs had multiple players in the top ten?
Skellefteå had three players (Jonathan Pudas, Pontus Johansson, Arvid Lundberg); Örebro and Växjö each had two players in the top ten.
Which player returned to the SHL and reached the top ten?
Sebastian Aho returned to the SHL with Växjö and finished tenth on the aggregated ranking with 13 points.
Are there any recurring winners of this ranking?
Yes. Jonathan Pudas has won the panel four times (2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026); previous winners include Erik Gustafsson (2020, 2021) and Henrik Tömmernes (2023).
Coach Mark Comment
Pudas’s repeated recognition reflects the value of a defenceman who can remain effective over time. Salo’s scoring production and captaincy will place added responsibility on him at Örebro, while Johansson’s next step is to build on last season’s breakthrough without trying to force the play.
What Comes Next
The ranking appears ahead of the SHL regular season.
IHM Final View
The ranking offers a clear hierarchy among SHL defencemen heading into 2026/27: Jonathan Pudas remains the standard, while Robin Salo and Joel Persson complete the podium. It balances established names with recent breakouts and sets up storylines for the season, from Pudas’s attempt to extend his dominance to Johansson’s chance to turn promise into sustained top-tier status.