Week 13: Fantasy defenseman top 50 rankings for 2018-19

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

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TRENDING UP

Erik Karlsson, SJS: The San Jose Sharks defenseman has 22 points (one goal, 21 assists) in his past 13 games with at least one assist in each. If Karlsson's shooting percentage over the span (1.9) reverts closer to his NHL career average (6.5), his ceiling would be even higher. Karlsson has climbed to No. 2 in NHL.com's rankings behind teammate Brent Burns, who is also on pace for more than 70 points (Karlsson: 72; Burns: 88), potentially becoming the first defenseman duo to reach that mark since Brian Leetch (79 points) and Sergei Zubov (89 points) of the New York Rangers in 1993-94.
Jared Spurgeon, MIN: The Minnesota Wild defenseman has five points (three goals, two assists) and is plus-3 with six shots on goal in the past three games. With defenseman Matt Dumba (upper body) out, Spurgeon has seen his ice time rise to 26:09 per game over the span and is approaching Ryan Suter as the Wild's top fantasy option at the position. With an increased workload and exposure to fantasy-relevant forwards Mikael Granlund, Zach Parise, Charlie Coyle and Eric Staal, Spurgeon could be among the 30 best defensemen in the coming weeks.
Nashville Predators: Defenseman P.K. Subban has four points (two goals, two assists), is plus-3 and has eight SOG in the past three games. Defenseman Ryan Ellis has four points (one goal, three assists), is plus-5 and his nine SOG in the past five games. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is quietly approaching the top 20 rankings with eight points (two goals, six assists) and 16 SOG in the past six games.
Roman Josi, who leads the Predators with 25:21 per game, was the only Nashville player moved down in NHL.com's defenseman rankings but still remains its most valuable fantasy asset at the position. The return of elite left wing Filip Forsberg will likely provide an additional boost to Nashville's offense and power play (15.1 percent; 26th in NHL).
Carolina Hurricanes: Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has four points (three goals, one assist) and eight SOG in the past three games. Justin Faulk has three points (one goal, two assists), a plus-1 and 10 SOG in the past three games. Each is an intriguing buy-low trade target for the second half of the season.

TOP 50 DEFENSEMAN RANKINGS

Standard Yahoo categories include goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and now 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: \\). DTD indicates players with day-to-day injury concerns.
1. Brent Burns, SJS (SAME)
2. Erik Karlsson, SJS\ (+5)
3. John Carlson, WSH (-1)
4. Morgan Rielly, TOR (-1)
5. Victor Hedman, TBL (-1)
6. Mark Giordano, CGY (-1)
7. Seth Jones, CBJ (-1)
8. Kris Letang, PIT (SAME)
9. Torey Krug, BOS (SAME)
10. John Klingberg, DAL (SAME)
11. Tyson Barrie, COL (+1)
12. Roman Josi, NSH (-1)
13. P.K. Subban, NSH (+2)
14. Shea Weber, MTL (-1)
15. Keith Yandle, FLA (-1)
16. Zach Werenski, CBJ\\ (SAME)
17. Drew Doughty, LAK (+2)
18. Ryan Ellis, NSH (SAME)
19. Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF (-2)
20. Mattias Ekholm, NSH (+5)
21. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI (-1)
22. Charlie McAvoy, BOS\\ (DTD)
23. Alex Pietrangelo, STL (+3)
24. Alexander Edler, VAN* (SAME)
25. Jake Gardiner, TOR* (-4)
26. Ryan Suter, MIN (-3)
27. Miro Heiskanen, DAL (+1)
28. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (-1)
29. Jeff Petry, MTL (SAME)
30. Aaron Ekblad, FLA (+2)
31. Josh Morrissey, WPG (+2)
32. Jared Spurgeon, MIN (+4)
33. Ryan Pulock, NYI (+2)
34. Nate Schmidt, VGK* (SAME)
35. Darnell Nurse, EDM (-5)
36. Brandon Montour, ANA (-5)
37. Colin Miller, VGK (DTD)
38. Ryan McDonagh, TBL (+1)
39. Shea Theodore, VGK (+1)
40. Jake Muzzin, LAK (+2)
41. Noah Hanifin, CGY (+2)
42. Erik Gustafsson, CHI (+3)
43. Dougie Hamilton, CAR (+4)
44. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL (SAME)
45. Nick Leddy, NYI (+3)
46. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI (-5)
47. Cam Fowler, ANA (NEW - INJ.)
48. Jacob Trouba, WPG\\ (NEW)
49. Michal Kempny, WSH (NEW)
50. Justin Faulk, CAR (NEW)
Dropped out:Neal Pionk, NYR\\; Josh Manson, ANA; Esa Lindell, DAL\\; Ivan Provorov, PHI\\
Key injuries: Dustin Byfuglien, WPG; Thomas Chabot, OTT; Matt Dumba, MIN; Oscar Klefbom, EDM; Mike Green, DET; Justin Schultz, PIT
Just missed: Dylan DeMelo, OTT; Vince Dunn, STL; Colton Parayko, STL; Tyler Myers, WPG\; Filip Hronek, DET

READ: Last week's Top 50 defenseman rankings

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