Hedman was one of the best defensemen on earth by his 5th season (22 years old). Ekblad, 24, is no where near that level and never will be.
I also doubt Hanifin gets to that level.
Hardly anyone does. No defenseman in the entire league has had the career that Hedman has. Maybe Keith, but I don't even think he deserved the two Norris trophies. Doughty's peak didn't last as long. Josi took way longer to develop.
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