The best player available is Ottawa Senators star Erik Karlsson, who’s tallied 78 and 74 points in each of the last two non-lockout seasons, respectively.
Check out our fantasy hockey defensemen rankings below, and be sure to read our left wing, right wing, center and goaltender rankings, too.
Safest Pick: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
The Senators’ top D-man led all defensemen in scoring last season with 74 points, and also showed impressive durability by playing in all 82 games after missing most of the 2012-13 lockout-shortened campaign with a torn Achilles.
Karlsson’s 20 goals ranked second among D-men and his 54 assists ranked third. He also tied Phoenix Coyotes star Keith Yandle for the league lead in power-play points from the blue line with 31 (five goals, 26 assists).
There are several elite offensive defenseman who should be targeted by fantasy owners in the first few rounds of your league’s draft, but the only one worth spending a first-round pick to acquire is Karlsson. He’s a lock for 65-plus points and lots of power-play production.
Other safe picks: Shea Weber (Nashville), P.K. Subban (Montreal)
Riskiest Pick: Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
Burns played as a winger last season and spent a lot of time on the first line with elite plymaker Joe Thornton and perennial 30-goal scorer Patrick Marleau. As a result, Burns was given many scoring opportunities and racked up a career-high 22 goals and 48 points in 69 games.
The departure of Dan Boyle via free agency forced the Sharks to move Burns back to the blue line, and don’t be surprised if his offensive production decreases a bit as a result. Burns has the powerful shot and the puck-moving ability needed to score consistently from the blue line, but he won’t be joining the rush as often as he did with the Thornton/Marleau duo.
Burns should be drafted within the first six rounds of all fantasy leagues, but he’s not a top-tier player at the position.
Other risky picks: Kris Letang (Pittsburgh), Matt Niskanen (Washington)
Rookie to Watch: Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft is expected to make the Panthers roster and should provide much-needed scoring production to the team’s blue line as a top-four defenseman.
Ekblad skates really well, has a powerful shot from the point, makes quick and accurate passes from the blue line and is able to quarterback a power play. The 18-year-old was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman last season with a league-high 23 goals among blueliners and 53 points for the Barrie Colts.
The concussion he suffered during the offseason is a little bit of a concern, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue heading into Florida’s training camp later this month.
He’s a must-own in dynasty or keeper fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Defensemen Rankings
15) Torey Krug, Boston Bruins
14) Christian Ehrhoff, Pittsburgh Penguins
13) Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
12) Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phoenix Coyotes
11) Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
10) Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
9) Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets
8) Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
7) Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
6) Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues
5) Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes
4) Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
3) P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
2) Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
1) Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
Have a Bruins or NHL question for Nick Goss? Send it to him via Twitter at @NickGossNESN
