From Xhekaj to Rempe: The Top 10 Biggest Players in the NHL

Since joining the NHL in 2022–2023, Arber Xhekaj has quickly established himself as a true enforcer. Weighing in at 240 pounds, the Montreal Canadiens defenseman has an intimidating physical presence and well-above-average fighting skills. His protective instincts also make him a particularly valued teammate in the locker room.

Xhekaj never hesitates to defend his teammates when the situation calls for it, which has contributed to his immense popularity among Montreal fans. Beyond his physical play, he also possesses leadership qualities and a unifying personality. At just 25 years old, however, Xhekaj continues to develop and is now looking to add more consistency to his game in order to become a reliable defenseman in the NHL.

At 6 feet 9 inches and 242 pounds, Curtis Douglas is one of the most imposing players in the NHL. The Seattle Kraken forward has a build that’s particularly well-suited to a depth center role. A physical and robust player, he can use his size to disrupt opponents and bring energy to his team. His journey over the past few seasons, however, has been a turbulent one.

Since October 2025, Douglas has changed organizations several times, playing for the Utah Mammoth, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Vancouver Canucks, among others, before landing with the Seattle Kraken. Placed on waivers a few times during that period, the giant forward is now trying to carve out a more stable spot in the NHL.

At 6 feet 7 inches and 244 pounds, Nikita Zadorov is one of the most imposing defensemen in the NHL. The Boston Bruins’ giant fits perfectly with the physical identity traditionally associated with the organization. Zadorov never hesitates to deliver hard hits, and he’s also capable of dropping the gloves when it comes time to defend a teammate.

Like Arber Xhekaj, he possesses that protective instinct that keeps opponents on their toes. It’s also best to avoid loitering too close to his goaltender, as Zadorov is quick to clear the crease. With his imposing frame and physical style, he’s sure to leave a few bruises on his opponents.

Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Dylan McIlrath brings an imposing physical presence to the Washington Capitals’ defense. Since the start of his professional career, the defenseman has mostly shuttled back and forth between the American Hockey League and the NHL. A member of the Capitals’ organization for several seasons, he notably made his mark with the Hershey Bears, serving as captain during their back-to-back Calder Cup victories in 2023 and 2024.

Known for his toughness and willingness to drop the gloves, McIlrath demonstrated this once again recently in a fight against Arber Xhekaj. After several years of battling for his spot, the veteran is now looking to establish himself as a regular on the Capitals’ blue line.

At 6 feet 6 inches and 245 pounds, Nic Hague is a commanding presence on the Nashville Predators’ blue line. The defenseman already has a solid track record in the NHL, having won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Known primarily for his physical and rugged style of play, Hague is able to effectively use his imposing frame to make life difficult for his opponents.

He can also contribute offensively from time to time, though that is clearly not his primary role. Now firmly established in Nashville, Hague is a key part of the Predators’ defensive corps. Under contract through 2029, he has the profile to bring stability, toughness, and experience to this team for many more seasons to come.

At 6 feet 6 inches and 248 pounds, Anthony Stolarz is the only goaltender to rank among the NHL’s ten heaviest players. His impressive frame is reminiscent of former goaltender Ben Bishop, who also used his size to cover a vast amount of space in front of his net. Before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024, Stolarz had played in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers, the Anaheim Ducks, and the Florida Panthers.

In fact, it was with the Panthers that he won the Stanley Cup in 2024. Despite a career that has at times flown under the radar, Stolarz remains a talented and underrated goaltender, capable of delivering solid performances when entrusted with the net.

At 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds, Aliaksei Protas is one of the most imposing forwards on the Washington Capitals. When it comes to underrated players in the NHL, the Belarusian fits that description perfectly. Over the past few seasons, Protas has risen rapidly through the ranks in Washington, taking on more responsibilities.

His massive frame allows him to protect the puck effectively, create space, and prove difficult for opposing defensemen to contain. But Protas is more than just his size. He also possesses offensive skills and impressive hockey intelligence. At 250 pounds, he combines power, efficiency, and talent, making him a valuable forward for the Capitals.

At 6 feet 7 inches and 252 pounds, Jamie Oleksiak is a true giant on the blue line. Throughout his NHL career, the defenseman has played for the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins, before returning to Dallas and then joining the Seattle Kraken. This summer, Oleksiak continued his journey by signing with the Vancouver Canucks.

His immense size is, of course, one of his most notable attributes. A rugged defenseman who’s hard to get around, he can use his long reach to break up plays and make life difficult for opposing forwards. At 252 pounds, Oleksiak brings an imposing physical presence to the Canucks, along with a solid dose of experience to their defensive corps.

At 6 feet 8 inches tall and 254 pounds, Elmer Söderblom ranks second among the heaviest players in the NHL. After spending several seasons in the Detroit Red Wings organization, the imposing forward was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline. Since his arrival, Söderblom seems to have found his niche under coach Dan Muse, who has given him a key role on the team.

Despite his massive frame, the Swede possesses impressive mobility and speed. He also excels at protecting the puck, using his long reach and strength to maintain possession. At 254 pounds, Söderblom is undoubtedly a nightmare for opposing defensemen to contain.

At 6 feet 9 inches and 268 pounds, Matt Rempe ranks among the heaviest players in the NHL. The New York Rangers’ giant is primarily valued for his physical play and fighting skills. Since his debut, he has never hesitated to drop the gloves against several well-known heavyweights in the league, including Arber Xhekaj, Ryan Reaves, Nicolas Deslauriers, and Mathieu Olivier.

Rempe has also built a more controversial reputation due to certain hits deemed questionable, which have drawn negative attention. A true agitator, he constantly disrupts the opposition. Despite this reputation, the young forward has also managed to establish himself as a presence and a leader with the Rangers.