Top Fantasy Defensemen: Your 2023 Rankings Guide

Hey guys, welcome back to our fantasy hockey hub! Today, we're diving into the world of blue-liners and ranking the best fantasy defensemen for the 2022-2023 season. Buckle up, because we've got a lot of ground to cover! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and fantasy defenseman rankings.

Why Defensemen Matter in Fantasy Hockey

Before we dive into the rankings, let's quickly chat about why defensemen are crucial in fantasy hockey. While forwards often get the glory, defensemen can provide a steady stream of points, hits, and blocks – all valuable stats in most fantasy leagues. Plus, a solid defensive corps can keep your team's goals against down, boosting your overall performance. So, don't sleep on the guys in the back!

2023 Fantasy Defenseman Rankings

Alright, let's get to the meat and potatoes. Here are our top 25 fantasy defensemen for the 2022-2023 season, divided into tiers to make your drafting process a breeze.

Tier 1: The Elite

These guys are the cream of the crop, the best of the best. If you can snag one of these fantasy defensemen in your draft, consider yourself lucky.

1. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators - The reigning Norris Trophy winner is coming off a career-high 96-point season. Expect more of the same from this offensive-minded blueliner.

2. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche - Makar is a once-in-a-generation talent, capable of putting up points at an elite level. He's a must-start in all leagues.

3. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning - Hedman is a consistent point-producer and a lock for 60+ points every season. He's also a beast on the power play.

Tier 2: The Next Tier

These defensemen are just a step below the elite tier but are still fantastic options in fantasy hockey.

4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs - Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. Matthews is listed as a defenseman due to his eligibility in many fantasy leagues. He's a top-tier fantasy asset, regardless of position.

5. Adam Fox, New York Rangers - Fox has been a revelation since joining the Rangers, posting back-to-back 40+ assist seasons. He's a point-per-game player and an excellent fantasy option.

6. John Carlson, Washington Capitals - Carlson is a consistent point-producer and one of the league's best power-play quarterbacks. He's a safe bet for 50+ points.

7. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils - Hamilton is coming off a career-high 42-point season and should thrive on a stacked Devils team. Keep an eye on him in your drafts.

Tier 3: The Middle Class

These defensemen might not be household names, but they can still contribute significantly to your fantasy team.

8. Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars - Heiskanen is a young, up-and-coming defenseman with top-tier upside. He's a must-own in dynasty leagues and a solid option in re-draft leagues.

9. Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights - Pietrangelo is a consistent point-producer and a lock for 40+ points. He's also a valuable source of hits and blocks.

10. Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks - When healthy, Karlsson is one of the league's most dynamic defensemen. He's a risk/reward play, but the potential reward is significant.

11. Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs - Rielly is a consistent point-producer and a valuable source of power-play points. He's a solid option in all leagues.

12. Jeffrey Skinner, Buffalo Sabres - Yes, you read that right. Skinner is listed as a defenseman due to his eligibility in some fantasy leagues. He's a point-per-game player and an excellent streaming option.

Tier 4: The Deep League Sleepers

These defensemen might not be household names, but they could provide significant value in deeper leagues.

13. Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers - Nurse is a physical presence who can also put up points. He's a valuable asset in hits leagues and a solid streaming option.

14. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks - Hughes is an offensive defenseman with top-tier upside. He's a must-own in dynasty leagues and a solid option in deeper re-draft leagues.

15. Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes - Slavin is a consistent point-producer and a valuable source of hits and blocks. He's a solid option in all leagues.

16. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets - Werenski is an up-and-coming defenseman with top-tier upside. He's a must-own in dynasty leagues and a solid option in deeper re-draft leagues.

17. Devon Toews, Montreal Canadiens - Toews is a consistent point-producer and a valuable source of hits and blocks. He's a solid option in all leagues.

18. Tyson Barrie, Edmonton Oilers - Barrie is an offensive defenseman who can put up points in a hurry. He's a valuable asset in deeper leagues.

Streaming Defensemen: A Strategy for Success

If you can't snag one of the top-tier fantasy defensemen in your draft, don't worry. Streaming defensemen can be a viable strategy for success. Here's how it works:

1. 1. Identify favorable matchups - Look for defensemen playing against weak offensive teams or teams that struggle on the power play.
2. 2. Monitor injuries - Keep an eye on injury reports and pounce on opportunities when top defensemen are out of the lineup.
3. 3. Scout the waiver wire - Regularly check your league's waiver wire for up-and-coming defensemen or veterans with favorable matchups.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, folks! Our comprehensive guide to fantasy defensemen for the 2022-2023 season. Remember, the key to fantasy hockey success is drafting well, making smart trades, and staying informed. So, keep your eyes on the prize, and good luck in your leagues!

Until next time, happy drafting!