Fantasy Hockey Defensemen Drafting Guide: Tier List and Tips
When it comes to drafting defensemen for your fantasy hockey team, having a solid strategy in place can make all the difference. Tiering your rankings can help you navigate the draft with ease and ensure that you have a strong team that can compete throughout the season.
Tiering your rankings is like creating a roadmap for your draft. It allows you to group players based on their projected performance and value, making it easier to make decisions under pressure. By organizing players into tiers, you can ensure that you always have options you are comfortable with, even as the draft progresses and your top choices start to disappear.
One key advantage of tiering your rankings is that it helps you identify gaps between players. This can lead to valuable insights into which players you may like more or less than the rankings initially suggest. By grouping players into tiers where you would feel equally comfortable selecting any of them, you can fine-tune your draft strategy and target players who stand out within their tier.
Creating tiers for defensemen can also help you assess the overall depth of the position and where certain players fit within the landscape of fantasy hockey. Whether you prefer a more simplistic approach or a more complex mathematical formula, taking the time to tier your rankings can give you a competitive edge in your draft.
Tier 1: A tier of two
1. **Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche**: Projected: 226.6, last season: 233.3
2. **Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators**: Projected: 218.2, last season: 231.9
In Tier 1, Cale Makar and Roman Josi stand out as elite defensemen who are in a class of their own. Both players offer high upside and are key contributors in multiple fantasy categories. While the order of these two players can be debated, their consistent performance and potential for growth make them top targets for any fantasy team.
Tier 2: If anyone can challenge
3. **Adam Fox, D, New York Rangers**: Projected: 200.3, last season: 187.1
4. **Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders**: Projected: 197.6, last season: 208.3
5. **Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres**: Projected: 193.7, last season: 209.0
6. **Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks**: Projected: 192.6, last season: 178.3
In Tier 2, Adam Fox, Noah Dobson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Quinn Hughes offer top-end value with the potential to challenge the players in Tier 1. These defensemen are young and talented, with the ability to contribute across multiple fantasy categories. While they may not reach the same level as Makar and Josi, they are solid options with room for growth in the coming seasons.
Tier 3: Gone by end of third round?
7. **Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings**: Projected: 188.4, last season: 200.6
8. **John Carlson, D, Washington Capitals**: Projected: 186.4, last season: 194.0
9. **Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers**: Projected: 184.1, last season: 199.1
10. **Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets**: Projected: 181.4, last season: 161.5
11. **Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning**: Projected: 180.1, last season: 178.8
Tier 3 features a mix of established veterans and up-and-coming talent, with players like John Carlson and Victor Hedman offering reliability and experience. Moritz Seider, Evan Bouchard, and Zach Werenski bring youth and potential upside to the table, making them intriguing options for fantasy owners looking to bolster their defense corps.
Tier 4: Some bounce-back candidates in here
12. **MacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames**: Projected: 177.6, last season: 220.7
13. **Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins**: Projected: 174.1, last season: 174.2
14. **Mikhail Sergachev, D, Utah Hockey Club**: Projected: 172.0, last season: 67.9
15. **Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils**: Projected: 171.2, last season: 44.9
16. **Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs**: Projected: 170.7, last season: 170.6
17. **Jakob Chychrun, D, Washington Capitals**: Projected: 170.2, last season: 167.6
18. **Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins**: Projected: 169.6, last season: 150.3
19. **Josh Morrissey, D, Winnipeg Jets**: Projected: 169.2, last season: 168.6
Tier 4 includes several bounce-back candidates who have the potential to outperform their projections. MacKenzie Weegar, Charlie McAvoy, and Dougie Hamilton are players to watch for a resurgence in fantasy production. Mikhail Sergachev and Morgan Rielly have the talent to exceed expectations, while Erik Karlsson and Jakob Chychrun offer upside if they can stay healthy and consistent throughout the season.
Tier 5: Good floor, high ceiling
20. **Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings**: Projected: 167.0, last season: 170.4
21. **Noah Hanifin, D, Vegas Golden Knights**: Projected: 167.0, last season: 150.7
22. **Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights**: Projected: 166.7, last season: 104.9
23. **Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild**: Projected: 165.3, last season: 158.1
24. **Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers**: Projected: 165.0, last season: 71.8
25. **Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars**: Projected: 164.2, last season: 143.7
26. **Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators**: Projected: 159.7, last season: 145.2
Tier 5 features defensemen with a good floor and high ceiling, offering stability and potential for breakout performances. Drew Doughty, Shea Theodore, and Noah Hanifin provide consistent production, while Aaron Ekblad and Miro Heiskanen have the talent to exceed expectations. Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson are young players to keep an eye on for future growth and fantasy value.
Tier 6: Physical play on display
27. **Darnell Nurse, D, Edmonton Oilers**: Projected: 155.7, last season: 165.9
28. **Jacob Trouba, D, New York Rangers**: Projected: 155.2, last season: 149.5
29. **Devon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche**: Projected: 152.6, last season: 143.8
30. **Mike Matheson, D, Montreal Canadiens**: Projected: 151.9, last season: 205.8
31. **Colton Parayko, D, St. Louis Blues**: Projected: 151.9, last season: 173.2
32. **Cam York, D, Philadelphia Flyers**: Projected: 151.8, last season: 152.0
33. **Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames**: Projected: 151.5, last season: 165.6
34. **Brandon Montour, D, Seattle Kraken**: Projected: 148.7, last season: 110.2
35. **Vince Dunn, D, Seattle Kraken**: Projected: 148.1, last season: 113.4
36. **Brayden McNabb, D, Vegas Golden Knights**: Projected: 146.4, last season: 158.0
37. **Seth Jones, D, Chicago Blackhawks**: Projected: 146.1, last season: 133.9
Tier 6 features defensemen who excel in physical play, contributing valuable fantasy points through hits and blocked shots. Players like Darnell Nurse, Colton Parayko, and Jacob Trouba are known for their physicality and provide a solid foundation for fantasy teams. Cam York and Rasmus Andersson offer potential for growth, while Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn are players to watch for increased value as they compete for a role on the Seattle Kraken.
Tier 7: Wide range of outcomes
38. **Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes**: Projected: 139.9, last season: 134.8
39. **Thomas Harley, D, Dallas Stars**: Projected: 138.9, last season: 155.6
40. **Alex Vlasic, D, Chicago Blackhawks**: Projected: 137.8, last season: 105.7
41. **Travis Sanheim, D, Philadelphia Flyers**: Projected: 137.7, last season: 157.0
42. **Justin Faulk, D, St. Louis Blues**: Projected: 135.4, last season: 109.5
43. **Owen Power, D, Buffalo Sabres**: Projected: 135.3, last season: 115.3
44. **Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators**: Projected: 134.5, last season: 102.7
45. **Neal Pionk, D, Winnipeg Jets**: Projected: 134.5, last season: 137.7
46. **Matt Roy, D, Washington Capitals**: Projected: 132.6, last season: 158.7
47. **Adam Larsson, D, Seattle Kraken**: Projected: 132.5, last season: 127.2
48. **Ivan Provorov, D, Columbus Blue Jackets**: Projected: 132.4, last season: 135.3
49. **Ben Chiarot, D, Detroit Red Wings**: Projected: 131.8, last season: 135.5
Tier 7 presents a wide range of outcomes for fantasy owners, with players like Owen Power, Thomas Chabot, and Neal Pionk offering both risk and reward. Veterans like Shayne Gostisbehere and Justin Faulk provide stability, while young prospects like Thomas Harley and Alex Vlasic offer potential for breakout performances. Keep an eye on these players as they navigate the ups and downs of the fantasy hockey season.
Tier 8: Filling out the roster
50. **Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins**: Projected: 129.5, last season: 162.1
51. **Jake McCabe, D, Toronto Maple Leafs**: Projected: 129.0, last season: 131.2
52. **Alex Pietrangelo, D, Vegas Golden Knights**: Projected: 128.9, last season: 140.7
53. **Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings**: Projected: 128.4, last season: 23.7
54. **Alexander Romanov, D, New York Islanders**: Projected: 128.3, last season: 141.9
55. **Esa Lindell, D, Dallas Stars**: Projected: 128.2, last season: 131.3
56. **Gustav Forsling, D, Florida Panthers**: Projected: 128.1, last season: 128.1
57. **Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings**: Projected: 127.7, last season: 19.4
58. **Jared Spurgeon, D, Minnesota Wild**: Projected: 127.5, last season: 24.5
59. **Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose Sharks**: Projected: 127.2, last season: 146.3
60. **Bowen Byram, D, Buffalo Sabres**: Projected: 126.4, last season: 110.3
Tier 8 rounds out the top 60 defensemen for fantasy hockey, offering depth and value for fantasy owners looking to bolster their roster. Veterans like Kris Letang and Alex Pietrangelo provide experience and leadership, while young players like Brandt Clarke and Simon Edvinsson offer potential for growth and fantasy value. Keep an eye on these players as the season progresses, as they could provide valuable contributions to your fantasy team.
In conclusion, tiering your defensemen rankings can be a valuable tool in navigating the fantasy hockey draft and building a competitive team. By organizing players into tiers based on their projected performance and value, you can make informed decisions under pressure and target players who align with your draft strategy. Whether you’re looking for top-tier talent or potential breakout candidates, tiering your rankings can help you build a strong and balanced defense corps for the upcoming fantasy hockey season.