Ranking the Top 20 Defenseman for Fantasy Hockey in 2011-2012
1. Shea Weber D Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are my pick to win the Presidents Trophy. I believe Weber will have a huge year this year.
I like Nashville because they were a top 8 penalty killing team, they have a top 5 defender in Shea Weber who one could argue is the top defender in the league, Weber is younger than Chara, Weber got more points than Chara last season, Weber is also a two way defender like Chara, Weber is a team captain like Chara, and because Pekka Renne is an underrated goalie.
2. Zdeno Chara D Boston Bruins Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins is the captain for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. I think the Bruins will carry their momentum over to the regular season, but I do not see them winning the Eastern Conference again.
3. Niklas Lidstrom D Detroit Red Wings Lidstrom is one of the best defenseman in the league despite the fact that he is starting to age.
4. Drew Doughty D Los Angeles Kings Doughty is one of the best defenders in the NHL and he is due for a big year.
5. Victor Hedman D Tampa Bay Lightning A lot of people thought Victor Hedman was not ready to be a #1 defender for the Lightning last year. Hedman helped the Lightning orchestrate a deadly penalty killing unit while being an effective two way defender who excels more as an offensive defender.
Tampa Bay Lightning tweeted that Victor Hedman, Brett Connolly, and Vladislav Namestnkov all made significant progress with the Lightning during offseason mini camps.
Hedman showed signs of promise last year during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and he will be even better this year.
6. Dan Boyle D San Jose Sharks Dan Boyle is an offensive defender who will be a quarterback on the power play enabling your team to generate points.
7. Mike Green D Washington Capitals Mike Green is an offensive defender who excels at penalty killing. Green enters a contract year so he is due for a huge year. Washington retains his rights, but teams will make offers if Washington does not retain him.
8. Kris Letang D Pittsburgh Penguins Letang is a defensive defender who excels at penalty killing. Letang posts good numbers for an offensive defender when Sidney Crosby is on the ice. I’d rank Letang 8th because you know what your getting with him as a defenseman. Letang had 27 points in 2009-2010. Letang nearly doubled his points total recording 50 points in 2010-2011.
9. Duncan Keith D Chicago Blackhawks Duncan Keith is an awesome two way defender, but he focused more on the offensive aspect of his game rather than the defensive aspect. That’s why Chicago fell from 8th to 25th in penalty killing. That, and some inconsistent goaltending. Duncan Keith has to make sure this defense focuses on fundamental penalty killing or avoiding penalties all together.
10. Dustin Byfuglien D Winnipeg Jets Byfuglien was an outstanding defensive defender and penalty killer in Chicago, but he stunk as a penalty killer in Atlanta last year despite having a career year in points eclipsing the 50 point mark for a defenseman. Was Byfuglien really a product of Joel Quinville’s penalty killing scheme? If that’s the case why did Chicago drop from 8th to 25th in penalty killing this season? Byfuglien recorded 16 points and 11 goals when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010 so maybe Byfuglien has matured into the mold of an offensive defender with the ability of a two way defender.
Now Byfuglien is getting a fresh start in Winnipeg due to Atlanta relocating. Byfuglien needs to make the most of this and return to being the dominant penalty killer he was in Chicago while posting points now and then like he did this year.
11. Luobmir Visnovsky D Anaheim Ducks Visnovsky is an offensive defender and he is the #1 defender on the Ducks roster.
12. Keith Yandle D Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix uses their defenders to boost the offense rather than the defense. That may explain why they ranked 26th out of 30 teams in penalty killing. Keith Yandle is a top 5 offensive defender, but a bottom 5 defensive defender. Yandle is the Coyotes best defender so he should get drafted by this point.
13. Christian Ehrhoff D Vancouver Canucks Ehrhoff is an offensive defender who is best used as an offensive defender. Ehrhoff did an awesome job penalty killing for the Canucks last year. If Ehrhoff continues to do excel in the PK game he is worth taking a flyer on at some point.
14. Erik Johnson D Colorado Avalanche Erik Johnson was the #1 overall pick in 2006. He cannot stay healthy, but when he does stay healthy he has top 15 talent and top 10 potential in terms of an NHL defender.
15. Matt Komisarek D Toronto Maple Leafs Komisarek is the #1 defender on the Maple Leafs. Komisarek is an underrated defender.
16. Dion Phaneuf D Toronto Maple Leafs Phaneuf is one of the top two way defenders who excels as an offensive defender.
17. Luke Schenn D Toronto Maple Leafs Luke Schenn is due for a huge season as a #2 defender on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.
18. Trevor Daley D Dallas Stars Daley is the #1 defender on the Dallas Stars roster. He’s due to create some scoring chances with offensive defender Alex Goligoski playing next to him on line 1.
19. Alex Goligoski D Dallas Stars Goligoski is one of the most underrated offensive defenders in the league.
20. Adam Larsson D New Jersey Devils I usually do not recommend drafting rookies, but Adam Larsson has a chance to give the Devils a deadly line 1 defensive unit with Adam Larsson and Anton Volchnkov anchoring the first line. This kind of defense would help an aging goalie in Martin Brodeur tremendously.
I really could see Larsson coming into Devils training camp, earning a roster spot, and playing on the first line as the #2 defender next to Volchenkov until he develops into the teams #1 defender.
I’ll probably move Larsson up or down based on what happens in Devils training camp, but he appears really promising for New Jersey.
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