Cale Makar is known for his explosive play, Quinn Hughes for his incredible speed, and Adam Fox for his precise skill—making it easy to see why Fox, the 26-year-old New York Ranger, often gets overlooked. While “surgical” might not have the same excitement as “explosive,” it can be just as impactful.
Fox’s accomplishments are impressive, rivaling those of Makar and Hughes, despite Makar winning a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Fox received the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman for the 2020-21 season and has tallied 316 points in 365 games. He is currently tied for sixth in scoring among Rangers defensemen and sits 13th in goals. His 263 assists puts him just behind Brad Park for fourth all-time among Rangers defensemen.
For the past four seasons, Fox has consistently been a top-four finalist for the Norris and has recorded 70 or more points in three consecutive years. In the 2023-24 season, he placed fourth in Norris voting, after achieving a career-high 73 points (17 goals and 56 assists) in 72 games. Hughes won the award last season while leading the Vancouver Canucks.
This season, Fox has started strong, although his playstyle isn’t as flashy as Makar’s. He has garnered eight assists in eight games, with two standout performances of three points each, ranking high among defensemen in assists and overall points.
While Makar leads all defensemen with 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists) so far this season, Hughes is tied with Fox at eight points (2 goals, 6 assists). Other defensemen are performing well, but Fox, Makar, Hughes, and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators stand out above the rest.
Fox is thriving even with a change in his usual partner, Ryan Lindgren, who is recovering from a jaw injury. K’Andre Miller has stepped into that role, and the new pairing has energized the Rangers’ defense. The team is starting strong with a record of 6-1-1 in the early stages of the championship season. The Miller-Fox duo may boost both players’ performances as they aim to improve the team’s defense after a disappointing showing in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final.
The Fox-Miller pairing has created a favorable record, generating numerous scoring chances while limiting goals against. Comparatively, Makar and Toews have seen a different dynamic, especially given the injuries impacting the Avalanche’s roster this season which may skew their statistics.
Fox’s pairing with Miller appears to be one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL. Even though Lindgren was a suitable partner for Fox, combining Miller’s abilities with Fox’s talents could lead to Fox’s fifth Norris Trophy nomination. With 74 games left in the season, Fox is making a subtle yet compelling case for the title of the NHL’s best defenseman.
