Fantasy defensemen are worth more than ever under the new default scoring system in ESPN.com's freshly revamped game. Offering ample reward for blocked shots, for example, means defensemen who contribute beyond scoring hold a more prominent seat at the fantasy table. Perhaps for the first time, a top-notch group of well-rounded blueliners - providing goals, assists, power-play points, shots on goal, blocked shots, and hits - could mean the difference between ultimate fantasy victory and falling a bit short. Now to only determine who makes up that exclusive company.
Strategy
Compared to past years, D-men rank higher within our Top 300 altogether. Again, that shift can be attributed to ESPN's improved default scoring system. A blueliner who shoots in bunches, produces on the power play, and habitually blocks shots ranks near the absolute best at other positions. While only four players positioned in the Top-50 overall in 2019-20, that number has grown to 11, followed by the usual healthy collection of mid-tier performers and then some key dark horse candidates with significant upside. While it always depends on who's available, my preferred strategy is to secure a Top-10 defender early, fill in later rounds with high-ceiling candidates, then pad my roster with wild cards as the draft wanes to a close. Just remember, if using ESPN's standard scoring system, defenders carry more fantasy weight than before.
Top-tier defensemen I like
Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks (No. 19 overall, No. 2 defenseman)
Proving no one is immune to falling flat for a season, one of the league's best stumbled through a not-so-great campaign in 2019-20. While many NHL defenseman would feel well satisfied with contributing 45 points in 70 games, that sum falls appreciably short of what Burns is accustomed. Off the competitive ice since March and antsy to get back at it, the former forward is expected to rebound with aplomb. From 2014-15 until 2018-19, Burns collected a league-leading 101 goals and 260 assists on 1,550 shots in 410 games. Without missing a single contest. A player doesn't hit those numbers by accident. He won't hurt you in the blocked-shots department either. The gold fantasy standard on the blue line, Burns is the only defenseman I'd eagerly draft early in the second round. Coming off his own struggles in 2019-20, teammate Erik Karlsson doesn't hold the same appeal.
Ryan Pulock, New York Islanders (No. 44 overall, No. 10 defenseman)
Here's an excellent example of a defenseman who boasts significantly greater fantasy value in today's ESPN standard game. Pulock finished ninth in the league in blocked shots in 2019-20 with 139 (5.47 blocked-shots-per-60minutes). He also led the Islanders with 35 points on 163 shots in 68 games, while splitting valuable power-play time with Devon Toews - now a member of the Colorado Avalanche. That spot on the New York's top power play - alongside Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee and Co. - is now conceivably his and his alone. Putting up career numbers this past season, Pulock appears on the cusp of breaking out as a prolific producer in this, his fourth full NHL campaign. Having lost both Toews and Johnny Boychuk, the Isles need all that and more from the 26-year-old, who will feel additionally inspired by having recently signed only a two-year deal.
See also: Roman Josi, Nashville Predators (No. 23 overall, No. 3 defenseman)
Mid-tier defensemen to target
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins (No. 106 overall, No. 31 defenseman)
All eyes in Boston are on McAvoy now that former Bruins defender Torey Krug has bolted for St. Louis. (At the time of writing Zdeno Chara remains an unsigned free agent.) As such, the Bruins need more production from the 23-year-old - management has said as much aloud - which means more shots and more scoring. Especially with the extra skater. Some have Matt Grzelcyk anchoring Boston's No. 1 power play, but I'm not convinced that's how it shakes out once this compact season gets underway. And unlike Grzelcyk, McAvoy led the B's blue line in blocked shots (131) and hits (again, 131) in 2019-20. He has the potential to dominate as an all-around fantasy asset this winter/spring.
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 130 overall, No. 40 defenseman)
He's healthy, rested, and no longer has Tyson Barrie breathing down his neck as a replacement option on the Maple Leafs' top power play. Rielly earned 20 goals and 52 assists on 223 shots the season preceding his injury-riddled 2019-20 campaign. Imagine having your No. 3 fantasy defenseman even near those figures. Hardly out of the question. Pairing with ex-Flame T.J. Brodie as a steady presence at even-strength is another positive.
See also: Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers (No. 62, No. 16 defenseman), Thomas Chabot, Ottawa Senators (No. 74 overall, No. 20 defenseman), Neil Pionk, Winnipeg Jets (No. 80, No. 22 defenseman), Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks (No. 86, No. 24 defenseman), Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild, (No. 95, No. 27 defenseman)
Key sleepers
Tyson Barrie, Edmonton Oilers (No. 152, No. 46 defenseman)
It just didn't work out in Toronto, plain and simple. Cue the fresh start in Edmonton and setting of stage for a return to the impressive numbers Barrie enjoyed for years in Colorado. Featuring superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton's power play sat top of the league in 2019-20, rocking a 29.5% success rate. Before his move from Denver to Toronto, Barrie racked up a remarkable number of points with the man-advantage, to the tune of 102 through five seasons (only Nathan MacKinnon scored more). Watch the natural offensive-defenseman get back to special teams' business as No. 1 power-play anchor - all the more necessary with Oscar Klefbom out long term - among the best around in McDavid and Draisaitl. I suspect Barrie is going to make his fantasy managers incredibly happy this compact 56-game campaign.
John Klingberg, Dallas Stars (No. 186, No. 55 defenseman)
It's as if we all fell in love with Miro Heiskanen in his head-turning Sophomore season and forgot about the guy who's earned 291 points in 425 career games with the Stars, including 111 power-play points. That works out to an average of 0.68 points per game, since day one. And Klingberg is anticipated to take his spot on the Stars' No. 1 power play, as usual. While he doesn't blow other categories away, the 28-year-old is worth investment for his scoring numbers alone.
See also: Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild (No. 175 overall, No. 52 defenseman)
Late-round pick to consider
Kevin Shattenkirk, Anaheim Ducks (No. 223 overall, No. 67 defenseman)
It's been an interesting couple of years for the 31-year-old veteran. After a disastrous second season in New York - highlighted by a 1.4 shooting percentage and subsequent contract buyout - Shattenkirk re-established himself as a valuable blue-line commodity as member of Tampa's Stanley Cup-winning troupe. Quite a turnaround. Now, out from under Victor Hedman's shadow, the freshly confident offensive defenseman is taking his talents to a team in desperate need of scoring and an improved power play. I'm not necessarily suggesting that Shattenkirk for certain takes over for Cam Fowler on the Ducks' top unit, only that it isn't completely out of the question. He doesn't shoot frequently enough, or block a ton of shots, but the well-travelled blueliner puts up points. For that, Shattenkirk is worth a flier in the later rounds of conventional fantasy drafts.
P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils (No. 269 overall, No. 75 defenseman)
While there's no question 2019-20 was an utter disaster for the former Norris Trophy winner, it's difficult to believe that a bounce-back season isn't in order. After nine good-to-great seasons in the NHL, how does one fall that far, that fast? It can't all be blamed on competing with the Devils, others have managed to make it work, relatively speaking. Subban has had near 10 months to think about it, train, and remedy the issue. His more impressive scoring days may be over, but the 31-year-old will undoubtedly better last year's rate of 0.26 points per game. Don't rule out his reclaiming a spot on the Devils No. 1 power play either. As a late-round fantasy selection, Subban is worth the what-have-you-got-to-lose gamble.
See also: Justin Schultz, Washington Capitals (No. 258 overall, No. 73 defenseman)
Avoid in drafts at current value
Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens (No. 52 overall, No. 12 defenseman)
Taking nothing away from Petry as a better-than-solid fantasy asset, he doesn't rank Top-12 in my view. Never mind the rest of the league, the Montreal blueliner trailed his own teammate Shea Weber in goals, shots, and blocked shots, despite Weber participating in six fewer games in 2019-20. Petry's minor edge in power-play points (a difference of four) doesn't sufficiently account for the discrepancy in ranking between the two Canadiens defenseman - it just doesn't add up. Even incorporating Petry's impressive hits total from last season (177 in 71 games), there are several other fantasy D-men I'm drafting before Petry, including Montreal's aforementioned captain.