Fantasy top 50 defenseman rankings for August 2018

NHL.com updates the top 50 fantasy defenseman landscape based on past production and expectations for next season in standard Yahoo leagues. Fantasy owners should use these updated rankings as a basis for team evaluation, keeper decisions and offseason draft research. These rankings will be updated throughout the offseason after other signings, trades, injury and prospect news, training camp, NHL Preseason games, fantasy mock drafts and any other developments. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

As the 2018-19 season approaches, here are some notable No. 2 fantasy defensemen poised to take the next step. Each is the second ranked fantasy defenseman on his respective team according to NHL.com, but could end up being most valuable with increased usage.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS (NHL.com rank: 21) -- The Boston Bruins defenseman had an impressive rookie season with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists), a plus-20 rating and seven power-play points in 63 games. McAvoy missed time with a knee injury and a heart condition, but would have been on pace for over 40 points in a full season. McAvoy played considerably less on the power play (1:59) than Boston's No. 1 ranked fantasy defenseman Torey Krug (3:26). It's unlikely that Krug will lose his spot on Boston's top power play, but McAvoy will continue to carve out an even bigger role at even-strength on the top pair with Zdeno Chara and could have a breakout season.
Ivan Provorov, PHI (22) --The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman finished tied for first in goals among NHL defensemen with Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dougie Hamilton of the Calgary Flames (17). Provorov led all Flyers defensemen with 36 even-strength points, a total that could be even higher next season after the offseason signing of left wing James van Riemsdyk. Provorov played less on the power play (1:46) than Philadelphia's No. 1 ranked fantasy defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (3:36) but led all Flyers with 24:08. The 21-year-old could finish with 50 points if he gets increased power play usage.
Zach Werenski, CBJ (23; INJ.) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman had a career-high 16 goals but finished with 10 fewer points than his rookie season total (47). He formed chemistry on the top pairing with the Blue Jackets No. 1 ranked fantasy defenseman, Seth Jones, who broke out with 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 78 games. If Werenski can hit 30-plus assists again (36 in 2016-17), he's another candidate to be a 50 point defenseman. It's worth noting that Werenski is hoping to be ready for their season opener after having offseason
shoulder surgery
.

TOP 50 DEFENSEMAN RANKINGS

Standard Yahoo categories include goals, assists, plus/minus, PIMs, PPP and SOG for skaters. ... Value has been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past production, defense pairs, power-play usage, injury history, age, sleeper, bounce-back or breakout potential, anticipated regression and contract status (pending unrestricted or restricted free agent). Any potential 2019 UFAs (\) and RFAs (\\) are also noted below. ... INJ. indicates players with injury concerns. ... Rob Reese's defenseman rankings may differ from Pete Jensen's order at the position in NHL.com's top 250 overall.
1. Victor Hedman, TBL
2. Brent Burns, SJS
3. Erik Karlsson, OTT\
4. P.K. Subban, NSH
5. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
6. Seth Jones, CBJ
7. Drew Doughty, LAK
8. John Klingberg, DAL
9. John Carlson, WSH
10. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI
11. Roman Josi, NSH
12. Dougie Hamilton, CAR
13. Torey Krug, BOS
14. Tyson Barrie, COL
15. Kris Letang, PIT
16. Alex Pietrangelo, STL
17. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF
18. Ryan Ellis, NSH
19. Keith Yandle, FLA
20. Mark Giordano, CGY
21. Charlie McAvoy, BOS\\
22. Ivan Provorov, PHI (
INJ
.)\\
23. Zach Werenski, CBJ (
INJ.
)\\
24. Matt Dumba, MIN
25. Aaron Ekblad, FLA
26. Morgan Rielly, TOR
27. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI
28. Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF
29. Ryan Suter, MIN (
INJ
.)
30. Jake Muzzin, LAK
31. Jake Gardiner, TOR\
32. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL
33. Brandon Montour, ANA (RFA)
34. Ryan Pulock, NYI
35. Colin Miller, VGK
36. Josh Manson, ANA
37. Erik Johnson, COL (
INJ
.)
38. Shea Theodore, VGK (RFA)
39. Colton Parayko, STL
40. Mike Matheson, FLA
41. Will Butcher, NJD\\
42. Jared Spurgeon, MIN
43. Duncan Keith, CHI
44. Cam Fowler, ANA (
INJ
.)
45. Justin Faulk, CAR (
INJ
.)
46. Tyler Myers, WPG\
47. Kevin Shattenkirk, NYR (
INJ
.)
48. Justin Schultz, PIT
49. Noah Hanifin, CGY
50. Darnell Nurse, EDM (RFA)
Dropped out: Ryan McDonagh, TBL; Sami Vatanen, NJD
Just missed: Miro Heiskanen, DAL; Thomas Chabot, OTT; Nick Leddy, NYI; Jeff Petry, MTL
Key injury: Shea Weber, MTL
Read: Fantasy defenseman rankings for July 2018