Aaron Ekblad vs Morgan Rielly: Who Wins on NHL Stats?

This is as close as it gets. Aaron Ekblad and Morgan Rielly split the statistical categories evenly — 3 apiece — making this one of the most genuinely contested D comparisons in NHL history. When the numbers are this balanced, the debate comes down to which statistics matter most to you.

Aaron Ekblad's Penalty Minutes of 570 compared to Morgan Rielly's 285 represents a 100% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Aaron Ekblad's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Games Played, where Aaron Ekblad posts 815 against Morgan Rielly's 966 — a gap of just 18.5%. Morgan Rielly can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 3-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Games Played is the statistical ammunition for the Morgan Rielly side.

Defensive play in the NHL is measured through a combination of offensive contribution and plus/minus rating. Elite defensemen contribute points while anchoring their team's defensive structure — a balance that defines the position's greatest players.

With categories split evenly, this comparison ultimately comes down to which statistics matter most to you. Aaron Ekblad claims the tiebreaker through Penalty Minutes advantage — a 100% edge — but reasonable people can, and do, argue both sides of this NHL debate.