This article is part of our Blue Line Buzz series.
It's rare for one player to be the tiebreaker between two contending teams, though Carey Price is making a good run to be that guy this year. Because fantasy stats are cumulative, having a strong supporting cast can minimize the damage done by a star player on an off-night. Most often, the most overlooked supporting cast is on defense. Because only a handful of defensemen can score as much as forwards, the vast majority of them fall into a pretty big and homogenous group, mostly encompassing second-pairing defensemen who score 30-40 points a year.
But if you play in a league that counts peripherals like blocked shots, hits or shots on goal, categories average defensemen are more likely to contribute toward, the bigger the advantage there is to be held in having a strong defense. In certain leagues, they're overlooked and undervalued.
It's difficult to predict when a defenseman will score. Everyone knew Keith Yandle would start piling up the assists on Broadway soon, but exactly when that was going to happen was a tough guess. Entering his 10th game as
Honorable mentions: Damon Severson, NJ; Justin Schultz, Edm; Jacob Trouba, Wpg; Cam Fowler, Ana; David Savard, CBJ; Trevor Daley*, Dal
Around the League
Only two amateur defensemen signed NHL contracts this week, with the Jets agreeing to terms with 2013 fourth-round pick Jan Kostalek and the Flames landing highly coveted NCAA prospect Kenney Morrison.
Kostalek, a native of the Czech Republic, has spent the past three years with the QMJHL's Rimouski Oceanic, completing his overage season with 43 points in 57 games. In the high-scoring "Q," Kostalek's numbers aren't eye-catching, but he's a right-hand shot who can skate, so there's room for him in the pros. The Jets seem to be making a habit of acquiring right-hand shots, which isn't a bad idea since right-handed defensemen come at a premium, and those who can't make the Jets will become trade bait.
Morrison is also a right-hand shot, and like the typical Brian Burke find, plays a physical style and possesses a vaunted slap shot. He finishes his three-year career at Western Michigan with 16 goals and 151 penalty minutes in 115 games. Neither player is expected to step in right away with both teams still fighting for playoff spots, but Morrison in particular could make his NHL debut as soon as next year.
It's rare for one player to be the tiebreaker between two contending teams, though Carey Price is making a good run to be that guy this year. Because fantasy stats are cumulative, having a strong supporting cast can minimize the damage done by a star player on an off-night. Most often, the most overlooked supporting cast is on defense. Because only a handful of defensemen can score as much as forwards, the vast majority of them fall into a pretty big and homogenous group, mostly encompassing second-pairing defensemen who score 30-40 points a year.
But if you play in a league that counts peripherals like blocked shots, hits or shots on goal, categories average defensemen are more likely to contribute toward, the bigger the advantage there is to be held in having a strong defense. In certain leagues, they're overlooked and undervalued.
It's difficult to predict when a defenseman will score. Everyone knew Keith Yandle would start piling up the assists on Broadway soon, but exactly when that was going to happen was a tough guess. Entering his 10th game as a Ranger on Sunday afternoon, Yandle had failed to score an assist, his longest drought of the season and surpassing a six-game stretch as a Coyote he struggled through just prior to the trade. And then, in a 7-2 drubbing of the Ducks, Yandle exploded with three assists.
Therefore, what is most desirable from a defenseman down the stretch is amount of games played rather than quality of opponents (unlike forwards). The more games a defenseman plays, the more chances he has of collecting stats.
Below is a cheat sheet for the top 50 defensemen going into the stretch drive. Players are weighted by their offensive production so far this season, their production in the past week, the strength of their team and their opponents and number of games played.
* = injured
| Name, Team | Games Remaining, Key Opponents | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Kris Letang, Pit | 10; 2xPhi, Car, Ari, Ott, NYI, Buf | Easy schedule the rest of the way except for OTT's Hammond. NYI-PIT games always high-scoring. Five points in past six. |
| Erik Karlsson, Ott | 11; 2xTor, 2xNYR, Det, TB, Wsh, Pit | Other than two vs. Leafs, pretty brutal schedule, but PPG player past two months. |
| Shea Weber, Nsh | 9; 2xDal, Mtl, TB, Wsh, Van, Min | Few games remaining, but he's an elite player. Two games vs. DAL should be a boon on offense. |
| Keith Yandle, NYR | 11; 2xNJ, 2xOtt, 2x Wsh, LA, Bos, Min | Rangers keep limiting his minutes and two games each vs. OTT and WSH is tough, but after three assists vs. ANA still remains elite. Still rotating on PP with McDonagh, Boyle. |
| Alex Pietrangelo, StL | 9; 2xChi, Pit, CBJ, Cgy, Dal, Wpg, Min | Nine points in 11 games in March, including five in past five and a three-game points streak. Indefatigable defenseman is very elite, a must-play in all formats even with tough competition. |
| Victor Hedman, TB | 9; 2xFla, Nsh, Det, Tor, Mtl, Ott, NJ, Bos | An elite defenseman with four points in past three, as well as 15 in past 22. |
| Marke Zidlicky, Det | 11; 2x Car, Ari, TB, NYI, Ott, Bos, Wsh, Mtl | Eight points in 10 games, which makes him the most valuable Red Wing to own right now. No signs of slowing down for specialist. |
| Roman Josi, Nsh | 9; 2xDal, Mtl, TB, Wsh, Van, Min | A big breakout year and four points in past four as Weber's partner. |
| Drew Doughty, LA | 11; 2xEdm, NYR, NYI, Min, Chi, Van, Cgy, SJ | Other than two vs. EDM, LA faces a tough schedule but he steps when needed; three assists in four games. Not exactly a scorer, either. |
| P.K. Subban, Mtl | 9; 2xFla, Nsh, TB, Wsh, Det, Tor | Just four points in past 11 after a hot February with tough stretch ahead. |
| Niklas Kronwall, Det | 11; 2x Car, Ari, TB, NYI, Ott, Bos, Wsh, Mtl | Juicy matchups ahead with CAR and ARI, but otherwise a tough finish to the season. Just three points in March but is heating up with three points in past seven. |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Ari | 9; 2xSJ, 2xBuf, Det, Pit, Cgy, Ana, Van | He doesn't get much help but has three goals in past three with two games each vs. BUF and SJ. Could end on a strong note. |
| Anton Stralman, TB | 9; 2xFla, Nsh, Det, Tor, Mtl, Ott, NJ, Bos | Really underrated Corsi darling has goals in two straight for a good offensive club and at least six points in past three months. Probably available on the wire when he shouldn't. |
| Brent Burns, SJ | 10; 2xAri, Ott, Det, Pit, Dal, Edm, LA | Don't get sucked in by ARI or EDM, SJ isn't that good and late-season east coast swing is tiring. |
| Alexander Edler, Van | 10; 2xWpg, Col, Dal, StL, Nsh, Chi, LA, Ari, Edm | Six points in 20 games over previous two months but four points in past four games. Scores in bunches but will get lots of TOI down the stretch. Top PP option. |
| Tyler Myers, Wpg* | 10; 2xVan, Edm, Mtl, Chi, NYR, Min, StL, Cgy | No return date set after leaving Saturday's game, but 10 points in 15 games with Jets and looking like a No. 1 again. |
| Duncan Keith, Chi | 11; 2xStL, Car, CBJ, Wpg, LA, Buf, Min, Col | Consistent, but point totals have been disappointing this season and plays STL twice, though games vs. BUF and COL are good plays. |
| Dustin Byfuglien, Wpg* | 10; 2xVan, Edm, Mtl, Chi, NYR, Min, StL, Cgy | Expected back next week, but look at those opponents… tough, tough, tough. |
| Justin Faulk, Car | 11; 2xDet, 2xPhi, Chi, Pit, Bos, Wsh, Buf | Not an easy schedule, but he's the Canes' best with 25+ TOI, but just one goal in past five. |
| Dougie Hamilton, Bos* | 9; 2xFla, NYR, Car, Det, Tor, Wsh, TB | Left Saturday's game with undisclosed injury. Trotman called up. Good upside, but may miss a few games. |
| Kevin Shattenkirk, StL* | 9; 2xChi, Pit, CBJ, Cgy, Dal, Wpg, Min | Inching closer to return, but no date set. Some tough opponents ahead and will be slow to start, which doesn't make him a strong play for final two weeks. |
| Ryan McDonagh, NYR | 11; 2xNJ, 2xOtt, 2x Wsh, LA, Bos, Min | Eight points in December, three in January, seven in February, two in March and one assist in past seven. Yandle is the better option. |
| Alex Goligoski, Dal | 10; 2xCgy, 2x Nsh, Buf, Edm, Van, StL, SJ, Ana | Seven points in 10 games in March means he's heating up. He's taken the reins back from J. Klingberg and might be the better play. |
| Dennis Wideman, Cgy | 10; 2xDal, Min, Nsh, StL, Edm, Ari, LA, Wpg | Sneaky good pickup with lots of TOI and five points in past six. Schedule has DAL, EDM and ARI, so expect goals. |
| John Klingberg, Dal | 10; 2xCgy, 2x Nsh, Buf, Edm, Van, StL, SJ, Ana | Tough schedule ahead and cooled off since January, but a very intriguing play with his talent. Started March with four assists in four games. |
| Tyson Barrie, Col | 11; 2xEdm, Cgy, Van, Buf, SJ, Ana, LA, Nsh, Chi | Avs won six of past eight, but Barrie has only six shots in past seven. Scores in bunches, 17 points in past 19. Strong play for this week vs. BUF and EDM, not so much next week vs. ANA, LA, NSH, CHI. |
| Sami Vatanen, Ana | 8; Bos, NYI, Edm, Col, Dal, Ari | Two points in two games since return, continuing where he left off. Other than BOS and NYI, shouldn't have trouble scoring. |
| Ryan Suter, Min | 10; Tor, NYI, LA, NYR, Det, Chi, Nsh, StL | The remaining opponents are mostly division rivals and Suter doesn't score a lot, but he does get his fair share when the Wild win. He's got 10 points in his past 24 games. |
| Hampus Lindholm, Ana | 8; Bos, NYI, Edm, Col, Dal, Ari | Three points in past four but TOI dipping below 20 minutes. Good upside but few games remaining. |
| Torey Krug, Bos | 9; 2xTB, 2xFla, NYR, Car, Det, Tor, Wsh | Bruins are fading fast. Though Krug gets the TOI, he has just three points in March, second straight month of decline. May be tiring down the stretch. |
| Mark Streit, Phi | 8; 2xPit, 2xCar, Chi, Pit, NYI, Ott | Should be a great play against CAR, but so-so against everyone else. Hot in early March but fizzled lately. |
| John Carlson, Wsh | 9; 2xNYR, NJ, Nsh, Car, Mtl, Ott, Det, Bos | Just four points in March, but 17 shots in past five games with big minutes means good peripherals. Tough schedule, though. |
| Brayden McNabb, LA | 11; 2xEdm, NYR, NYI, Min, Chi, Van, Cgy, SJ | Big shooter is overlooked, but produces more than Sekera and has 10 points in past 20 games. Ice time now at 18 minutes, but needs to shoot more. |
| Zdeno Chara, Bos | 9; 2xTB, 2xFla, NYR, Car, Det, Tor, Wsh | Three goals this month but minus-5 rating as team struggles. Some tough games ahead for declining big man. |
| Mike Green, Wsh | 9; 2xNYR, NJ, Nsh, Car, Mtl, Ott, Det, Bos | Just three points in past 13 with a tough schedule coming up with NYR, NSH, MTL and OTT. In fact, his ice time has dipped in March, so play Carlson instead. |
| Jake Muzzin, LA | 11; 2xDal, Mtl, TB, Wsh, Van, Min | Funny enough, similar production to D. Keith with five points in past eight, but tough opponents ahead, including stingy MTL and MIN. |
| Adam Larsson, NJ | 10; 2xNYR, LA, Wsh, Car, Ana, CBJ, Mtl, TB, Fla | 17 points in 33 games since January, two assists in past five and averaging nearly 10 minutes more than October. Finally living up to the billing. |
| Nick Leddy, NYI | 9; 2xCBJ, Min, LA, Ana, Det, Buf, Phi, Pit | Most efficient in March with three points in five games, but just returned from injury and some tough opponents ahead. |
| Ryan Ellis, Nsh | 9; 2xDal, Mtl, TB, Wsh, Van, Min | Six games since last goal but five points in March with increasing TOI. Would be third-best option after Weber, Josi. |
| Andrei Markov, Mtl | 9; 2xFla, Nsh, TB, Wsh, Det, Tor | No shots in three of past five games, but two assists in two other games with five SOG. Feast or famine, and just three points in March. |
| Jack Johnson, CBJ | 10; 2x NYI, Ana, Chi, StL, Pit, NYR, Tor, Buf | A strong play for the final three games, but three points in past five is a good sign for the mercurial and inconsistent defender. A sneaky good play outside the plus-minus column. |
| Kris Russell, Cgy | 10; 2x Dal, Col, Edm, Min, Nsh, StL, Ari, LA, Wpg | A peripheral monster as the league's best shot blocker. Eight points in four games in early March, but don't expect that again. |
| Travis Hamonic, NYI | 9; 2xCBJ, Min, LA, Ana, Det, Buf, Phi, Pit | 12 points in 15 games in February was an anomaly – had 12 points in previous three months. Like Boychuk, a better player for peripherals. |
| Johnny Boychuk, NYI | 9; 2xCBJ, Min, LA, Ana, Det, Buf, Phi, Pit | Zero points in past seven and seven points in past 24 games, but not considered a scorer anyway. Lots of shots and hits, though. |
| Brent Seabrook, Chi | 11; 2xStL, Car, CBJ, Wpg, LA, Buf, Min, Col | Dependable defender scores in bunches when he gets the bounces. One goal and just 10 points in past 34 games and pointless in five of past six games. There's better value elsewhere. |
| Michael Del Zotto, Phi | 8; 2xPit, 2xCar, Chi, Pit, NYI, Ott | Resurgence has stalled with one point in five games in March, but still sees heavy minutes. Eight points in 10 games prior to three-game skid. |
| Dion Phaneuf, Tor | 9; 2xOtt, Min, TB, Buf, Bos, Mtl | Just one goal in past three months, looking like the bad press is getting to him and the Leafs. Faces Price, Rask, Bishop, Dubynk and Hammond twice. Unlikely to finish strong, but decent peripherals. |
| James Wisniewski, Ana | 8; Bos, NYI, Edm, Col, Dal, Ari | A turnover machine but good upside, he has 16 points in past 31 games. A regular on the PP, he has some value but only eight games remaining, though EDM, DAL and ARI should provide some stats. |
| Aaron Ekblad, Fla | 10; 2xTB, 2xBos, 2xMtl, Tor, Car, NJ | As great as his season has been, he faces Tuukka Rask and Carey Price twice each. Pass. |
| Zach Bogosian, Buf* | 10; 2xAri, Dal, Col, Tor, Chi, NYI, Car, CBJ, Pit | No return date set, but easy schedule combined with strong play (four points in 12 games) makes him an intriguing option. Lots of hits, blocked shots. |
