Week 2: 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

Justin Faulk, CAR -- The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman was in danger of losing his first power-play spot when Dougie Hamilton was acquired from the Calgary Flames on June 23. But Faulk leads Hurricanes defensemen in power-play time per game (3:48) and has four assists, one on the power play, in seven games. Hamilton has three assists and 29 shots on goal through the first seven games and remains a top 15 option at the position in NHL.com's rankings.
Thomas Chabot, OTT -- The Ottawa Senators defenseman ranks third at the position with eight points (two goals, six assists) in six games. After the departure of Erik Karlsson (traded to San Jose Sharks on Sept. 13), the Senators defense looked like it would be negatively impacted in fantasy. But, with two defensemen among the top 100 overall in Yahoo (Chabot, Maxime Lajoie), Ottawa has been an early-season surprise
Jake Gardiner, TOR -- The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has three assists in the past two games but is getting overshadowed by Morgan Rielly, the top ranked skater in Yahoo entering Thursday. Gardiner provides exposure to the highest scoring offense in the NHL (33 goals in first seven games) and is an attractive trade target in season-long formats.

Trending down

Ryan Pulock, NYI -- The New York Islanders defenseman was a potential breakout candidate coming into the season but has one assist and is minus-2 through five games. Entering Thursday, the Islanders are tied for the third fewest goals in the NHL (12 in five games), giving fantasy owners a cause for concern.
Brandon Montour, ANA -- He finished second among Anaheim Ducks defensemen in points (32) behind Josh Manson last season, but has one goal through his first seven games. Instead, defenseman Hampus Lindholm is playing at a point-per-game pace and leading the Ducks with 24:17 per game. If Lindholm is available, fantasy owners should consider making the switch but also keep in mind it remains a crowded situation in Anaheim with four relevant defensemen (Manson, Lindholm, Cam Fowler, Montour).
Ivan Provorov, PHI -- There is a growing concern among fantasy owners with the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman, who does not have a point and is minus-5 through six games. Despite leading the Flyers in ice time per game (25:06), Provorov only has five shots on goal through the first two weeks of the season. It's too early to drop Provorov, but fantasy owners may want to stash him on the bench with the Flyers allowing the second most goals per game (4.17).

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. Erik Karlsson, SJS\
2. Brent Burns, SJS
3. John Klingberg, DAL
4. Victor Hedman, TBL
5. John Carlson, WSH
6. Kris Letang, PIT
7. Morgan Rielly, TOR
8. P.K. Subban, NSH
9. Drew Doughty, LAK
10. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
11. Roman Josi, NSH
12. Dougie Hamilton, CAR
13. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI
14. Charlie McAvoy, BOS\\
15. Zach Werenski, CBJ\\
16. Tyson Barrie, COL
17. Mark Giordano, CGY
18. Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF
19. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF
20. Matt Dumba, MIN
21. Keith Yandle, FLA
22. Jake Gardiner, TOR\
23. Ivan Provorov, PHI\\
24. Ryan Ellis, NSH
25. Thomas Chabot, OTT
26. Ryan Suter, MIN
27. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL
28. Duncan Keith, CHI
29. Alex Pietrangelo, STL
30. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI
31. Aaron Ekblad, FLA
32. Jake Muzzin, LAK
33. Erik Johnson, COL
34. Josh Manson, ANA
35. Will Butcher, NJD\\
36. Justin Faulk, CAR
37. Ryan Pulock, NYI
38. Miro Heiskanen, DAL
39. Colton Parayko, STL
40. Jeff Petry, MTL
41. Henri Jokiharju, CHI
42. Sami Vatanen, NJD (NEW)
43. Hampus Lindholm, ANA (NEW)
44. Cam Fowler, ANA
45. Mattias Ekholm, NSH
46. Samuel Girard, COL
47. Alexander Edler, VAN\
48. Brandon Montour, ANA
49. Maxime Lajoie, OTT (NEW)
50. Darnell Nurse, EDM\\ (NEW)
Dropped out: Shea Theodore, VGK; Oscar Klefbom, EDM; Dennis Cholowski, DET
Just missed: Vince Dunn, STL; Jacob Trouba, WPG; Dylan DeMelo, OTT; Ron Hainsey, TOR; Josh Morrissey, WPG
Key injuries: Seth Jones, CBJ; Torey Krug, BOS; Justin Schultz, PIT (dropped out) Shea Weber, MTL; Mike Green, DET
READ: Last week's Top 50 defenseman rankings
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