Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
This has been one of the most productive fantasy hockey seasons as far as defenders are concerned. There are countless blueliners producing on a daily basis for fantasy owners and it seems that every team has a couple defenders in double-digit points already. The market has been somewhat flooded with talent.
However, among all the breakout defenders this season, D Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators is still on top of the fantasy world. Karlsson is currently leading all defenders with 19 points (seven goals/13 assists) this season and is tied for 26th overall in points among all skaters. He has also added one power-play goal and six power-play helpers to his impressive midseason totals, which only adds to his incredible value.
Karlsson is truly having a bounce back fantasy performance after ripping the heart out of several fantasy owners in 2012. The defenseman missed 31 games last season due to a gruesome Achilles Tendon injury, in which the superstar tore 70% of his of his Achilles. The injury devastated the chances of many fantasy owners and had some owners passing on the defender on draft day. He returned from the lower leg injury pretty quick, though, and the veteran hasn’t missed a beat since coming back.
The 23-year-old is once again the number one fantasy defender and should be good for close to a point per game down the stretch.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
