While spreading wealth may sometimes be a good idea, Stanley Cup contenders often have elite top pairings that control the pace of the game on both ends of the ice. Entering the 2025-26 season, which one of the 10-on-double teams in the league is?
10. Josh Morrissey
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 58.62% target share, 54.01% expected target share at 1,225:27
Of 10Th Place, we have the championship award winners of the league’s Rulers’ championship: Josh Morrissey and Dylan Demelo of the Winnipeg Jets. Morrissey has averaged 71 points per 82 games over the past three seasons, consolidating himself as one of the best offensive producers in the back-end league. But he also made up for any previous defensive difficulties – he is an elite two-way, top defender.
Related: Hockey Advanced Analysis: What are they? Why is it important?
Demelo, on the other hand, works in complementary roles. He is a capable defensive partner with the best offensive support and ability to stand out in his area. Over the past two seasons, the Jets have scored 114-71 with a 5-5 ice opponent.
9.
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 57.14% target share, 53.81% expected target share 1,005:58
Zach Werenski of Columbus Blue Jackets made a lot of heavy lifting for the pairing, finishing second in the Norris Trophy last season. He is a relentless hockey carrier, effective in all three areas and has run an 82-point campaign. He ruled the opposition with an average ice time of 26:45 and he deserves recognition in 2024-25.
But that’s not to say Werenski did it alone. Despite being a pickup exemption in November 2024, Dante Fabbro has built some solid chemistry with the blue jacket star. If necessary, he can handle a lot of time, block the shooting and retrieve the puck. Like Demero, he is a great complementary companion.
8. Simon Edvinsson, Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 62.50% target share, 51.89% expected target share at 500:58
This newly formed pairing can name itself in 2025-26. Moritz Seider played in the league’s toughest time in the first two seasons, but a companion without ability can spend with them. The result is that the actual target share of 5 to 5 is actually 46.09% and the expected target share is 45.37%, which suggests that his role is difficult to cope with. But in reality, all he needs is spark.
Related: Each team’s highest breakthrough candidate 2025-26: Atlantic
Simon Edvinsson, 22, spent more than 500 minutes with Seider in a 5-on-5 match. Together, they weakened the opposition with a goal rate of 62.50%. While it should be at least slightly down, if this young pairing can replicate the game, the Detroit Red Wings could end their nine-season playoff drought.
7. Cam Fowler, Colton Parayko (St. Louis Bruce)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 63.27% target share, 54.07% expected target share at 483:52
It only takes a second round pick for the St. Louis Blues (and a fourth round), one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL last season. Getting Cam Fowler in the above move, Colton Parayko has a high-end offensive hockey threat, rather than relying on Nick Leddy to be the kind of player. From the deal (December 14) to the end of the 2024-25 campaign, St. Louis has the league’s best 5-5 goal difference on the Plus-39.
This pairing is 33 and 32 on the older side, respectively. But the Blues have something special. Just like Red Wings with Seider, Parayko on the roster doesn’t have the top partner that competent. This skill, while always fun, isn’t enough to allow you to glitz in tax minutes. Fowler changed that, adding the influence of the generated points in Paraiko’s mobile shutdown game (36 out of 51 games; 58-point speed).
6. Quinn Hughes
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 50.00% target share, 55.40% expected target share at 605:10
Despite their 5-to-5 goal difference last season, the best pairing for the Vancouver Canucks is still very dangerous. After winning the Norris Trophy two seasons ago, Quinn Hughes is just as impressive in his follow-up sport – Canucks scored 53.28% on the ice, not having his 45.03%.
Naturally, it can be said that the best defender in the NHL in this unit makes it a good defender. But Filip Hronek signed an eight-year, $58 million contract last offseason to own his own. Without either, Vancouver’s goal share fell to 41.61%. Manchester United, they show they can cause some damage. If the goalkeepers are by their side this time (2024-25 % savings), look forward to the big thing.
5. BowenByram, Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabers)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 70.00% target share, 54.61% expected target share at 626:24
Bowen Byram and Rasmus Dahlin beat the enemy 35-15 when paired, a huge highlight on the Buffalo Sabers team, extending the playoff drought to 14 seasons. These results may be unsustainable, with a 0.940 percentage savings in a few minutes, but are somewhat optimistic.
Darling has established herself as one of the best defenders in the league. With new skills and elite two-way results, Buffalo’s captain will stand out no matter who he joins. Byram kept the end of the bargain, but he had room for growth. If this happens, the unit may challenge the top three.
4. GustavForsling, Aaron Ekblad (Florida Black Panther)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 58.57% target share, 54.72% expected target share at 866:43
Wage claims and first choice – final tie. While the back-to-back Stanley Cup is certainly helping with this pairing case, the Florida Panthers rely on the services of Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad. They ate for a long time on both ends of the ice and performed well on both ends of the ice.
The highlight of this pairing is the highlight of this pairing. After being lifted from the Panthers’ waiver in January 2021, he has become one of the best defenders in the NHL and objectively the best in Florida. He is an elite accidental suppressor with an underestimated offense. Ekblad isn’t that strong, but he’s a big player for the Panthers – for him, he’s easy. This pairing was contractually complete over the next seven seasons.
3. Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oiler)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 53.01% target share, 59.08% expected target share at 987:34
Even if the champions have escaped them, reaching the Stanley Cup final in a back-to-back season is a serious achievement for the Edmonton Oilers. There is no doubt that they wouldn’t have done so without Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, who maximized the output of superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
While there is always a knock on Ekholm and Bouchard that they are beneficiaries of two generations of talent, it is a two-way street. McDavid has scored 65.16% of the goal share with the pair over the past three seasons in five hockey games. Without any defender, he sat at 50.57%, even basically. Meanwhile, Draisaitl has a target share of 71.00% with Ekholm and Bouchard, while on the bench, their target share of 51.67%.
It’s no coincidence that Edmonton has run deeper from his struggles and has been doing it regularly. Ekholm’s two-way abilities and Bouchard’s unparalleled hockey abilities are doing miracles for oilers.
2. Vladislav Gavrikov (Adam Fox)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): N/A.
If the New York Rangers inserted free agent Vladislav Gavrikov on a pair of Adam Fox, the results could be great. Fox may have a full-time companion to improve his game.
Fox is most commonly found in Ryan Lindgren over the past few seasons. Despite a four-year, $18 million contract with Seattle Cleken of free agents, it was too high for Lindgren. When Fox played with any defensive player outside of the 27-year-old last season, he had a target share of 66.13% in 5-on-5 ice time, with an expected target share of 60.90%.
Although K’Andre Miller is a powerful part-time defensive partner for Fox, Gavrikov may be the better player right now. He will be the Rangers’ best choice for the Rangers, thriving in the Los Angeles Kings’ closed role at 23:05 per game.
1. DevonToews, Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
2024–25 Statistics (5 vs. 5): 61.11% target share, 55.53% expected target share is 1,104:31
Colorado Avalanche has been paired with the best defensive defensive match in the NHL for some time. In the most unbalanced trade in recent memory, Devon County was acquired from New York Islanders for two huge second-round picks, which made the avalanche an unstoppable duo on the blue line.
After winning the Norris Trophy last season, Cale Makar further consolidated his representative Defence Force. It can be said that Toews itself is the top 15 defenders and plays a key role. Until further notice, no pairing has a beat.
Do you agree or disagree with these options? Feel free to leave your thoughts below!
Statistics provided by natural statistics techniques
