Fantasy defenseman top 50 rankings for 2019-20 on June 24

NHL.com's fantasy hockey defenseman top 50 rankings are based on past production and expectations for next season in standard Yahoo leagues. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

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TRENDING UP
P.K. Subban, NJD -- The defenseman rejoined the top 10 after being acquired by the New Jersey Devils on June 22. Subban is an injury bounce-back candidate after scoring 31 points (nine goals, 22 assists) in 63 games this season and three points (one goal, two assists) in six Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Nashville Predators. It's worth noting Nashville had the worst power play in the NHL last season (12.9 percent), and Subban was playing in a logjam behind valuable defensemen Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm.
Subban will be the clear-cut No. 1 defenseman for the Devils, ahead of Damon Severson, Will Butcher and Sami Vatanen, and could flourish on a power play which features center Jack Hughes (No. 1 pick in 2019 NHL Draft), elite left wing Taylor Hall, valuable right wing Kyle Palmieri and center Nico Hischier. Subban has surpassed his former teammate, Roman Josi, in the rankings for next season based on upside.
READ:
Subban trade fantasy spin
Jacob Trouba, NYR -- The defenseman gained fantasy value after being acquired by the New York Rangers on June 17. Trouba, who can become a restricted free agent July 1, finished 13th among NHL defensemen in scoring (50 points) this season and could have a higher ceiling if he captures a full-time first power-play role next season. The Rangers gained more team fantasy appeal after selecting right wing Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and could make additional moves this offseason. With exposure to valuable center Mika Zibanejad, left wing Chris Kreider (potential 2020 unrestricted free agent) and Kakko, Trouba is projected to score 48 points (10 goals, 38 assists) next season.
READ:
Trouba trade fantasy spin
Erik Karlsson, SJS -- The San Jose Sharks defenseman has overtaken veteran Brent Burns for the top spot at the position after being re-signed to an eight-year contract. Karlsson played through a groin injury in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and still gained value with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 19 postseason games. Burns may be a safer fantasy option, but Karlsson leads defensemen in points-per-game (0.90) and power-play points (184) since 2011-12 and has a higher ceiling if healthy for a full regular season.

TOP 50 DEFENSEMAN RANKINGS

Standard Yahoo categories include goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and hits for skaters. ... Value has been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past production, defense pairs, power-play usage, injury history, sleeper, bounce-back or breakout potential, anticipated regression, age and contract status (potential 2019 UFA: \; RFA: \\). INJ. indicates player with injury concern.
1. Erik Karlsson, SJS (+5; INJ.)
2. Brent Burns, SJS (-1)
3. Victor Hedman, TBL (-1; INJ.)
4. Morgan Rielly, TOR (-1)
5. John Carlson, WSH (-1)
6. P.K. Subban, NJD (+10)
7. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG (-2)
8. Kris Letang, PIT (-1)
9. Seth Jones, CBJ (-1)
10. Mark Giordano, CGY (-1)
11. Roman Josi, NSH (SAME)
12. John Klingberg, DAL (-2)
13. Tyson Barrie, COL (-1)
14. Torey Krug, BOS (-1)
15. Keith Yandle, FLA (-1)
16. Erik Gustafsson, CHI (-1)
17. Shea Weber, MTL (SAME)
18. Alex Pietrangelo, STL (SAME)
19. Thomas Chabot, OTT (SAME)
20. Matt Dumba, MIN (+1; INJ.)
21. Drew Doughty, LAK (-1)
22. Dougie Hamilton, CAR (SAME)
23. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (SAME)
24. Miro Heiskanen, DAL (SAME)
25. Quinn Hughes, VAN (+1)
26. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI (-1)
27. Charlie McAvoy, BOS\* (SAME)
28. Aaron Ekblad, FLA (SAME)
29. Ryan Suter, MIN (SAME)
30. Shea Theodore, VGK (SAME)
31. Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF (SAME)
32. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI (SAME)
33. Jacob Trouba, NYR\\ (+5)
34. Zach Werenski, CBJ\\ (-1)
35. Ryan Ellis, NSH (SAME)
36. Cale Makar, COL (+3)
37. Ivan Provorov, PHI\\ (-1)
38. Mattias Ekholm, NSH (+5)
39. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL (-2)
40. Alexander Edler, VAN (-6)
41. Oscar Klefbom, EDM (-1)
42. Jake Muzzin, TOR (+2)
43. Colton Parayko, STL (-1)
44. Josh Morrissey, WPG (+1)
45. Ryan Pulock, NYI (-4)
46. Vince Dunn, STL (+1)
47. Filip Hronek, DET (+2)
48. Justin Faulk, CAR (SAME)
49. Mike Green, DET (-3; INJ.)
50. Ryan McDonagh, TBL (SAME)
Just missed: Jake Gardiner, TOR\; Esa Lindell, DAL; Samuel Girard, COL; Cam Fowler, ANA; Travis Sanheim, PHI; Jeff Petry, MTL; Devon Toews, NYI; Erik Brannstrom, OTT; Jared Spurgeon, MIN; Justin Schultz, PIT; Darnell Nurse, EDM; Brandon Montour, BUF; Bowen Byram, COL
Read:
Fantasy defenseman rankings for 2019-20 from May 21
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