Aaron Ekblad or Zach Werenski? The NHL Stat Breakdown

This is as close as it gets. Aaron Ekblad and Zach Werenski 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 Plus/Minus of 87 compared to Zach Werenski's 17 represents a 411.8% 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 Goals, where Aaron Ekblad posts 123 against Zach Werenski's 137 — a gap of just 11.4%. Zach Werenski can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 3-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Goals is the statistical ammunition for the Zach Werenski 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 Plus/Minus advantage — a 411.8% edge — but reasonable people can, and do, argue both sides of this NHL debate.