Week 14: 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

Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie, CGY -- Giordano has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) and is plus-16 in his past 10 games. He's now tied for second at the position with 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists) in 45 games, and his plus-36 leads the NHL. Brodie, who plays with Giordano at even strength, ranks second with a plus-32 and has five points (one goal, four assists) in his past five games.
Jacob Trouba, WPG -- The Winnipeg Jets defenseman has seven points (one goal, six assists), three on the power play, in his past five games. He's been skating on the top power play with forwards Patrik Laine, Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Trouba leads the Jets in average ice time (25:25) over the five-game span and should remain valuable at least until defenseman Dustin Byfuglien returns from a lower-body injury.

TRENDING DOWN

Jake Gardiner, TOR -- The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has three assists and 11 shots on goal in his past 11 games. Without point production or category coverage, he has dropped outside the top 30. Fantasy owners should be patient with Gardiner, who plays at a pace of 0.52 points per game over the final three months of the season. It's worth noting forward William Nylander (one point in past 14 games) is also slumping, but the two skaters could experience a resurgence in the second half.

INJURY UPDATES

Thomas Chabot, OTT -- The Ottawa Senators defenseman is expected to return to the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. Despite missing time, Chabot is tied for sixth among defensmen with 38 points (10 goals, 28 assists) in 38 games. The Senators are also expected to get center Matt Duchene (personal) back in the lineup Wednesday and goalie Craig Anderson later in the week. With the 10th ranked offense in goals per game (3.11) and a healthy supporting cast, Chabot is among the 15 best defensemen for the rest of the season.
Mike Green, DET --The Detroit Red Wings defenseman has one assist and five SOG in two games since returning from injury. It's encouraging that Green led Red Wings defensemen with 22:09 per game over the span and skated on a power-play unit with forwards Anthony Mantha, Gustav Nyquist, Tyler Bertuzzi and Andreas Athanasiou. Green has rejoined the top 30 defensemen and would have an even higher ceiling if the Red Wings improve their power play (16.8 percent, T-24th).

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

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