Week 3: 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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Injury updates

Seth Jones, CBJ -- The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman made his season debut against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday after missing the first seven games with a lower-body injury. Jones played a game-high 27:24 and had four shots on goal. He rejoined the top 10 based on performance last season and preseason rank, and should have a net-positive impact on Columbus' fantasy-relevant players.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS -- The Boston Bruins defenseman was sent home Oct. 20 during their Western Canadian road trip with an undisclosed injury. McAvoy is day to day, but fantasy owners may want to stream defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (1 percent owned in Yahoo), who is skating on the top power-play unit with elite forwards Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. It's worth noting Torey Krug (ankle) was on the ice Thursday and could make his season debut soon.

Trending up

Brent Burns, SJS -- The San Jose Sharks defenseman moved up to No. 1 in this week's rankings with six points (two goals, four assists), including four on the power play, over the past three games. Burns is playing fewer power-play minutes per game (3:59) than defenseman Erik Karlsson (4:18) but has better production and an even rating over the past five games, where Karlsson is minus-5.
Jeff Petry, MTL -- The Montreal Canadiens defenseman has three power-play points (one goal, two assists) in the past three games. Petry is tied for the most multi-point games among defenseman (three) with Burns and Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With how well forwards like Tomas Tatar, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi and Brendan Gallagher have started the season, Petry is entering must-own territory, at least until Shea Weber returns from injury.

Trending down

Alex Pietrangelo, STL -- The St. Louis Blues defenseman has one assist and is minus-6 in eight games. Pietrangelo's spot on the top power play is now occupied by defenseman Vince Dunn, who has two power-play goals in the past three games. Fantasy owners of Pietrangelo should consider handcuffing Dunn (6 percent owned) for insurance.
Mikhail Sergachev, TBL-- The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman had 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists) in 79 games during his rookie season but is off to a slower start with three assists in eight games. The good news for Sergachev owners is that his average ice time has increased over the past four games (compared to first four games) and he brings exposure to forwards Yanni Gourde and Tyler Johnson on the second power play, signs he could regain his scoring touch.

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 (+1)
2. Erik Karlsson, SJS\ (-1)
3. John Klingberg, DAL (SAME)
4. John Carlson, WSH (+1)
5. Kris Letang, PIT (+1)
6. Morgan Rielly, TOR (+1)
7. Victor Hedman, TBL (-3)
8. Seth Jones, CBJ (NEW - INJ.)
9. P.K. Subban, NSH (-1)
10. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG (SAME)
11. Roman Josi, NSH (SAME)
12. Drew Doughty, LAK (-3)
13. Dougie Hamilton, CAR (-1)
14. Matt Dumba, MIN (+6)
15. Tyson Barrie, COL (+1)
16. Zach Werenski, CBJ\\ (-1)
17. Mark Giordano, CGY (SAME)
18. Keith Yandle, FLA (+3)
19. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI (-6)
20. Ryan Ellis, NSH (+4)
21. Thomas Chabot, OTT (+4)
22. Jake Gardiner, TOR* (SAME)
23. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI (+7)
24. Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF (-6)
25. Ivan Provorov, PHI\\ (-2)
26. Ryan Suter, MIN (SAME)
27. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (-8)
28. Erik Johnson, COL (+5)
29. Jeff Petry, MTL (+11)
30. Justin Faulk, CAR (+6)
31. Aaron Ekblad, FLA (SAME)
32. Duncan Keith, CHI (-4)
33. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL (-6)
34. Josh Manson, ANA (SAME)
35. Alex Pietrangelo, STL (-6)
36. Will Butcher, NJD\\ (-1)
37. Mattias Ekholm, NSH (+8)
38. Josh Morrissey, WPG (NEW)
39. Vince Dunn, STL (NEW)
40. Henri Jokiharju, CHI (+1)
41. Neal Pionk, NYR\\ (NEW)
42. Jake Muzzin, LAK (-11)
43. Cam Fowler, ANA (-1)
44. Matt Grzelcyk, BOS (NEW)
45. Colton Parayko, STL (-6)
46. Brandon Montour, ANA (+2)
47. Max Lajoie, OTT (+2)
48. Jacob Trouba, WPG\\ (NEW)
49. Alexander Edler, VAN* (DTD)
50. Brent Seabrook, CHI (NEW)
Dropped out: Charlie McAvoy, BOS\* (dropped out); Sami Vatanen, NJD; Samuel Girard, COL; Darnell Nurse, EDM; Hampus Lindholm, ANA; Miro Heiskanen, DAL; Ryan Pulock, NYI
Just missed: Mike Green, DET; Shea Theodore, VGK; Jared Spurgeon, MIN; Matt Niskanen, WSH; Oscar Klefbom, EDM
Key injuries: Torey Krug, BOS; Shea Weber, MTL; Justin Schultz, PIT
READ: Last week's Top 50 defenseman rankings
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