When this question is asked, real NHL-value, I always urge the person asking to clarify between:
a. Current moment real NHL value. (i.e. If you are selecting defensemen for your ONE-GAME-MATCH-TOMORROW... who do you take?)
or
b. Future real NHL value. (i.e. If you are selecting defensemen for your NHL-TEAM where you are GM for future... who do you take?)
For #a, Chara is probably on my list... but not for #b, due to age.
1. Weber is the one-guy I'd expect to see on EVERYBODY's list, either case.
2. Suter is a rock for two-way play.
...
After this, it depends how people assign value to a defenseman.
I've always assigned value to defenseman as approximately:
2/3rds of value = defensive play
1/3rd of value = offensive play
And for forwards, I run with the opposite:
2/3rds of value = offensive play
1/3rd of value = defensive play
Anyways, continuing with my list and building a team for the future:
3. Pietrangelo
4. Subban
5. Karlsson
These guys are 9 or 10/10 for offense.
And there may be better guys defensively, but I still think these guys are all 7s or 8s or 9s defensively.
I love Duncan Keith, and believe he should win the Norris this year, but he's just outside my top five.