Fantasy Hockey Draft Rankings, Advice and Analysis

Fantasy top 60 'D': Sens' Wiercioch finds relevance

Wednesday, 03.25.2015 / 12:08 PM
Brian Metzer - NHL.com Correspondent

Every Wednesday during the season, NHL.com fantasy hockey correspondent Brian Metzer will provide you with in-depth defensemen analysis. From updated weekly top 60 rankings to trending players and more, Metzer will be your go-to guy for fantasy blue line advice all season long.

In the NHL, one month can make a big difference for a team or a player, and that has been the case for Ottawa Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch.

As recently as Feb. 25 his name was coming up in trade rumors and the 24-year-old had no idea if he'd be a member of the team that selected him in the second round (No. 42) of the 2008 NHL Draft or if he'd have to get acclimated to a new environment following the NHL Trade Deadline.

Wiercioch didn't want to be traded, but at the same time he wanted a chance to play. He spent 29 games in the press box as a healthy scratch last season and another 25 this season. That had him searching for an opportunity.

March 2 came and went and Wiercioch was still a member of the Senators. Just about the time that Andrew Hammond was taking advantage of his opportunity in goal, Wiercioch was given his own and he has capitalized and done his fair share to get the Senators back into contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

There aren't a ton of options on the waiver wire at this time of year that can make an impact on a fantasy lineup, but Wiercioch might be able to give the same boost to owners that he has given to the Senators.

For the season, he is averaging 17:37 of ice time, logging 2:09 of that with the extra man, but he has been a different player over the course of the 12 games since the trade deadline passed.

He has seen his minutes jump to 19:18 per game, with 2:45 coming on the power play. Those numbers have jumped to 19:41 and 3:29 respectively over the course of his past five games.

He has six points over those 12 games, five of which came in his past eight games. That boost in productivity has seen his season totals of six points in 35 games turn into 12 points through 47 games.

None of this should be that surprising considering Wiercioch has been productive at each level he's competed. He had 62 points (18 goals) in 75 games at the University of Denver over two seasons from 2008-2010.

He wasn't quite as productive in the American Hockey League, but still managed to average .36 points in 156 games with Binghamton.

Wiercioch is the type of player that grades out well when you study his analytics, but his actual play on the ice has left some wanting over the years, which is why he has been a frequent healthy scratch. That could be changing, as he has thrived with his newfound responsibility and been a big part of the success the Senators have been having over the past month.

Why not allow him to bolster your blue line and help you to the same kind of success in the fantasy realm? He is currently owned in two percent of Yahoo Fantasy Leagues.

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TRENDING UP

Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

Suter, like the Wild, is heading in the right direction at the best time of year, right before the playoffs. The Wild are 11-3-0 over their past 14 games and Suter has played 25 or more minutes in all but one of those games. He has gone over 28 minutes on eight occasions over that span, and after picking up four points over his past five games he has 36 points in 69 games this season. He is the type of defender that can help you in secondary categories, with 15 hits, 25 blocked shots and 27 shots on goal, and he has a plus-8 rating over the aforementioned 14-game span.

TRENDING DOWN

Dougie Hamilton, Boston Bruins

We just hyped up Hamilton last week and for good reason; he was one of the most productive defensemen in the League over the past month. Unfortunately he was knocked out of the Bruins lineup Saturday against the Florida Panthers and has been out since. It is a significant blow to not only the Bruins but also fantasy owners, who have reaped the benefits of his 10 goals and 32 points in 72 games. The injury is reportedly something involving his shoulder and it has him out indefinitely.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Yannick Weber, Vancouver Canucks

Weber has very quietly climbed out of fantasy obscurity over the past month. He has picked up seven points (four goals) over his past 13 games. Four of those points have come in his past three games, along with three points (one goal) on the power play and 10 hits. He is a streaky player who is heating up at the moment, and if you are looking for defensive depth he could be your man. He is owned in two percent of Yahoo leagues.

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TOP 60 FANTASY DEFENSEMEN

1. Erik Karlsson, OTT (+1)

2. Kris Letang, PIT (+1)

3. P.K. Subban, MTL (-2)

4. Brent Burns, SJS (SAME)

5. Roman Josi, NSH (SAME)

6. Victor Hedman, TBL (SAME)

7. Shea Weber, NSH (SAME)

8. Duncan Keith, CHI (+1)

9. Keith Yandle, NYR (+3)

10. John Carlson, WSH (-2)