Adam Fox rises to No. 13, but is the Rangers star still underrated?

Adam Fox has climbed three positions on NHL Network's latest list of the top 20 defensemen, currently sitting at No. 13 for the upcoming 2026-27 season. This ranking comes as a surprise, considering Fox's consistent performance and elite level play, even when dealing with injuries. Last year, Fox ranked No. 16, and his move up to No. 13 signals a positive shift in perception, especially after he reached No. 2 in 2023.

However, the Rangers star still finds himself outside the top 10, which raises questions about whether he is being underrated.

Despite missing 27 games due to injuries, Fox's 2025-26 season was nothing short of impressive. He totaled nine goals and 44 assists for a total of 53 points over 55 games, averaging nearly a point per game. This performance puts him on par with only Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Rasmus Dahlin among defensemen who have achieved similar numbers.

Fox plays a key role on the Rangers' power play, averaging over 23 minutes per game last season. His absence had a significant impact on the team, as they went 8-16-3 in the 27 games Fox missed. It is clear that Fox's importance to the team cannot be understated.

Part of Fox's ranking may be attributable to the emergence of young defensemen in the league, such as Lane Hutson, Matthew Schaefer, Jake Sanderson, and Moritz Seider. These players have gained considerable attention in recent years, and NHL Network analyst Thomas Hickey even labeled Fox as the "forgotten player" on the list due to this increased focus on younger talent.

Despite this, Fox has a strong case to be among the NHL's elite. Several other defensemen ahead of him, including Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, Rasmus Dahlin, and Miro Heiskanen, have also earned their spots in the conversation. Fox's career has been marked by consistent excellence, as he has won the Norris Trophy, finished second in voting once, and consistently ranked among the top five in six straight seasons.

This track record demonstrates that Fox's value goes beyond just scoring highlight-reel goals every night; his ability to move the puck, generate chances, and control play at both ends of the ice is what truly sets him apart.