MORE RANKINGS:
Top 250
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100 'F'
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25 'G'
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Keeper
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Cheat sheet
The top five defensemen in standard leagues should not surprise anyone. Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks), Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg Jets), P.K. Subban (Nashville Predators) and Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings) all have strong category production compared to the rest of the pack when healthy. Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators; ranked 150th in Yahoo) remains an intriguing first-round pick even though he fell shy of his preseason rank of 17. Karlsson ranks second in the League behind Burns in points by a defenseman since Jan. 1 with 37 points in 39 games.
These proven fantasy assets have a number of young players in their rearview mirror. Rookies Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Will Butcher (New Jersey Devils) and Mikhail Sergachev (Tampa Bay Lightning) made an immediate impact for fantasy owners. Each warrants mid-round pick consideration next year. Both Sergachev and Butcher well exceeded their preseason rankings.
Seth Jones (Columbus Blue Jackets), John Carlson (Washington Capitals), John Klingberg (Dallas Stars) and Shayne Gostisbehere (Philadelphia Flyers) were among defensemen that set career highs in points and are worth selecting in the top 50.
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). Prospects eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft (e.g. Rasmus Dahlin) have been excluded.
1. Victor Hedman, TBL
2. Brent Burns, SJS
3. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
4. P.K. Subban, NSH
5. Drew Doughty, LAK
6. Erik Karlsson, OTT
7. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI
8. John Carlson, WSH (UFA)
9. John Klingberg, DAL
10. Seth Jones, CBJ
11. Roman Josi, NSH
12. Torey Krug, BOS
13. Tyson Barrie, COL
14. Dougie Hamilton, CGY (INJ.)
15. Kris Letang, PIT
16. Alex Pietrangelo, STL
17. Shea Weber, MTL (INJ.)
18. Ryan Ellis, NSH
19. Matt Dumba, MIN (RFA)
20. Morgan Rielly, TOR
21. Ivan Provorov, PHI (INJ.)
22. Charlie McAvoy, BOS
23. Keith Yandle, FLA
24. Aaron Ekblad, FLA
25. Jake Gardiner, TOR
26. Mark Giordano, CGY
27. Ryan Suter, MIN (INJ.)
28. Jake Muzzin, LAK
29. Zach Werenski, CBJ
30. Will Butcher, NJD
31. Mattias Ekholm, NSH
32. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL
33. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI
34. Colton Parayko, STL
35. Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF
36. Tyler Myers, WPG
37. Jared Spurgeon, MIN
38. Colin Miller, VGK (RFA)
39. Brandon Montour, ANA (RFA)
40. Erik Johnson, COL (INJ.)
41. Ryan Pulock, NYI (RFA)
42. Shea Theodore, VGK (RFA)
43. Kevin Shattenkirk, NYR (INJ.)
44. Alexander Edler, VAN
45. Justin Faulk, CAR (INJ.)
46. Sami Vatanen, NJD (INJ.)
47. Josh Manson, ANA
48. Cam Fowler, ANA (INJ.)
49. Ryan McDonagh, TBL
50. Jacob Trouba, WPG (RFA)
Just missed: Darnell Nurse, EDM; Matt Niskanen, WSH; Mike Matheson, FLA; Thomas Chabot, OTT; Hampus Lindholm, ANA; Vince Dunn, STL
READ: Top 50 defenseman rankings for Week 25
