{"id":33103,"date":"2025-09-10T05:25:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/sin-categoria\/fantasy-hockey-defense-tier-guide-strategy-and-key-players\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T05:25:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:25:41","slug":"fantasy-hockey-defense-tier-guide-strategy-and-key-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/nhl\/fantasy-hockey-defense-tier-guide-strategy-and-key-players\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Hockey: Defense Tier Guide, Strategy, and Key Players"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Strategies for Your Fantasy Hockey Draft<\/h2>\nLet&#8217;s delve into the details of how to create your own tier list for your fantasy hockey draft. The key is to customize it according to your preferences and comfort level. The main goal is for you to feel confident and in control as the pressure of the draft increases.\nIf you don&#8217;t have time to analyze projections or debate over each player, don&#8217;t worry. You can delve into the process, calculating drops, percentages, or decay rates of the projections, which can be fun if you like. The good news is that even with minimal effort, you can transform a basic ranking list into flexible tiers that adapt as the draft progresses.\nEven dedicating five minutes to drawing dividing lines on a cheat sheet can turn a simple list into a powerful tool that keeps you ahead of your competition.\nThe easiest way to see how easy this can be is to analyze a physical list:\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start by reading the names from the top.<\/li>\n\n<li>Imagine yourself selecting each player and evaluating your comfort level.<\/li>\n\n<li>When you feel doubts about the next selection, draw a line over their name. That is a level.<\/li>\n\n<li>Use the positions in the squad as a guide (line No. 1, defense No. 2, etc.).<\/li>\n\n<li>If a particular player makes you uncomfortable, simply cross them out completely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nTo find out how to let your tier list guide your strategy on draft day, check out the forward tiers.\nA quick reminder before we dive in: these are not the rankings or projections you&#8217;ll see in your draft room. As with the forwards, these are my own numbers based on a combination of custom projections, not the game&#8217;s default list.\nNote: Points based on the standard scoring system of Alofoke Deportes.\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defense Levels: Analysis and Strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>Level 1: A Featured Player<\/strong><\/p>\n\nCale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche: (projected: 222.6, last season: 235.2)\nNotes: Makar excels in fantasy production from the blue line. Since 2009-10, he has three of the top 11 results in total fantasy points by a defenseman, and four of the top 16 results in fantasy points per game.\n\n<p><strong>Level 2: Candidates to challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n\nMacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames: (projected: 211.0, last season: 203.0)\nZach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets: (projected: 207.5, last season: 216.2)\nRasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres: (projected: 203.7, last season: 174.8)\nNotes: These three are the best candidates to challenge Makar in fantasy production from the blue line. Weegar has been consistently elite in Calgary, Werenski showed his potential last season, and Dahlin has yet to reach his peak.\n\n<p><strong>Level 3: Defense with potential<\/strong><\/p>\n\nThomas Harley, D, Dallas Stars: (projected: 196.2, last season: 148.9)\nMoritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings: (projected: 191.9, last season: 193.7)\nJake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators: (projected: 186.9, last season: 190.9)\nNotes: Harley stands out, statistics back up his projection. After Miro Heiskanen&#8217;s injury, Harley was sixth among defensemen in fantasy points per game for the rest of the season. His performance with a healthy Heiskanen is key.\n<strong>Level 4: Solid defense in fantasy<\/strong>\nRoman Josi, D, Nashville Predators: (projected: 185.7, last season: 122.2)\nQuinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks: (projected: 181.7, last season: 160.5)\nEvan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers: (projected: 180.0, last season: 174.6)\nMikhail Sergachev, D, Utah Mammoth: (projected: 178.1, last season: 169.3)\nVictor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning: (projected: 176.3, last season: 182.5)\nNotes: Josi is a top player, but health is key to his performance. Hughes has offensive potential, but his lack of hits and blocked shots could affect him.\n\n<p><strong>Level 5: Great potential<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2024%2F0530%2Fr1339521_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adam Fox<\/a><\/p>\n\nJosh Morrissey, D, Winnipeg Jets: (projected: 173.7, last season: 165.8)\nAdam Fox, D, New York Rangers: (projected: 172.5, last season: 153.0)\nColton Parayko, D, St. Louis Blues: (projected: 170.4, last season: 149.8)\nNoah Dobson, D, Montreal Canadiens: (projected: 165.2, last season: 143.7)\nNotes: This level offers security, but three of these four players could generate elite fantasy statistics. Dobson is one of the few players for whom information was manually inserted into the projection process. The Habs&#8217; defense is complicated this season, as Dobson, Mike Matheson, and Lane Hutson could combine to play on the power play.\n\n<p><strong>Level 6: Physical game on display<\/strong><\/p>\n\nKaiden Guhle, D, Montreal Canadiens: (projected: 161.0, last season: 104.0)\nJackson LaCombe, D, Anaheim Ducks: (projected: 160.6, last season: 146.8)\nJakob Chychrun, D, Washington Capitals: (projected: 160.2, last season: 141.8)\nSeth Jones, D, Florida Panthers: (projected: 159.9, last season: 131.4)\nDarnell Nurse, D, Edmonton Oilers: (projected: 159.3, last season: 142.3)\nMiro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars: (projected: 159.1, last season: 88.5)\nRasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames: (projected: 158.2, last season: 164.4)\nJacob Trouba, D, Anaheim Ducks: (projected: 156.7, last season: 146.3)\nDougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils: (projected: 155.6, last season: 124.8)\nBrandon Montour, D, Seattle Kraken: (projected: 155.0, last season: 145.9)\nJohn Carlson, D, Washington Capitals: (projected: 153.5, last season: 150.2)\nLane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens: (projected: 153.2, last season: 158.5)\nShea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights: (projected: 152.2, last season: 127.9)\nJake Walman, D, Edmonton Oilers: (projected: 151.5, last season: 146.0)\nCharlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins: (projected: 151.1, last season: 91.7)\nNotes: Players with fewer points but with more physical stats (hits and blocked shots) are starting to stand out. Guhle, LaCombe, Nurse, and Trouba are earning fantasy points for their play without the puck.\nThe uncertainty with Dobson, Hutson, and Matheson puts Guhle ahead of Hutson in the rankings. Theodore&#8217;s injury history could affect him, but he could have a big year if he stays healthy and Marner improves the Knights&#8217; power play. Jones could have an improved performance.\n\n<p><strong>Level 7: Choose Your Poison<\/strong><\/p>\n\nTravis Sanheim, D, Philadelphia Flyers: (projected: 148.5, last season: 147.3)\nVince Dunn, D, Seattle Kraken: (projected: 148.0, last season: 112.1)\nJake Middleton, D, Minnesota Wild: (projected: 146.6, last season: 127.0)\nBrandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings: (projected: 145.2, last season: 118.3)\nThomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators: (projected: 145.2, last season: 154.1)\nAlexander Romanov, D, New York Islanders: (projected: 144.6, last season: 131.6)\nMorgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs: (projected: 144.4, last season: 135.8)\nNeal Pionk, D, Winnipeg Jets: (projected: 142.9, last season: 129.6)\nPhilip Broberg, D, St. Louis Blues: (projected: 142.6, last season: 103.5)\nAlexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes: (projected: 142.5, last season: N\/A)\nAlex Vlasic, D, Chicago Blackhawks: (projected: 142.5, last season: 135.2)\nMatt Roy, D, Washington Capitals: (projected: 140.0, last season: 103.3)\nErik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins: (projected: 138.6, last season: 140.5)\nNotes: What do you prefer? A reliable player to accumulate fantasy points, a consistent defenseman who won&#8217;t reach the elite threshold, or a defenseman under 21 with great potential? This level has it all; even the Norris Trophy winner isn&#8217;t mentioned among them. Nikishin has the talent to change the game in fantasy, but the projection is conservative. Clarke is another young player with a wide range of possible outcomes.\n\n<p><strong>Level 8: Completing the template<\/strong><\/p>\n\nNoah Hanifin, D, Vegas Golden Knights: (projected: 138.3, last season: 125.7)\nAdam Larsson, D, Seattle Kraken: (projected: 137.8, last season: 130.5)\nBrayden McNabb, D, Vegas Golden Knights: (projected: 136.6, last season: 132.2)\nDevon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche: (projected: 136.1, last season: 124.8)\nSimon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings: (projected: 135.9, last season: 127.7)\nMike Matheson, D, Montreal Canadiens: (projected: 135.5, last season: 147.3)\nJustin Faulk, D, St. Louis Blues: (projected: 134.0, last season: 116.2)\nAndrew Peeke, D, Boston Bruins: (projected: 133.5, last season: 100.5)\nCam York, D, Philadelphia Flyers: (projected: 132.9, last season: 96.5)\nDante Fabbro, D, Columbus Blue Jackets: (projected: 131.4, last season: 122.1)\nSean Durzi, D, Utah Mammoth: (projected: 130.6, last season: 47.4)\nIvan Provorov, D, Columbus Blue Jackets: (projected: 129.9, last season: 119.3)\nK&#8217;Andre Miller, D, Carolina Hurricanes: (projected: 129.7, last season: 111.6)\nRadko Gudas, D, Anaheim Ducks: (projected: 128.7, last season: 140.6)\nRyan Pulock, D, New York Islanders: (projected: 128.4, last season: 127.2)\nNotes: At this stage, you are ideally adding one or two defensemen to your bench. These players get their magic from their partner. The Islanders are more complicated. Someone will emerge, but the smart play is to wait and see.\nThe purpose of the levels is to give structure and space to your instincts. Use this as a guide, draw your own lines and you&#8217;ll be ready for whatever the draft holds.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Strategies for Your Fantasy Hockey Draft Let&#8217;s delve into the details of how to create your own tier list for your fantasy hockey draft. The key is to customize it according to your preferences and comfort level. The main goal is for you to feel confident and in control as the pressure of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33104,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[392,5650,604,8486],"class_list":{"0":"post-33103","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl","8":"tag-draft","9":"tag-fantasy-hockey","10":"tag-players","11":"tag-tiers"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33103\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}