2024-25 Fantasy Hockey: Top 10 Defensemen

This is the fourth in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column followed by right and left wingers. This article will be followed by goalies to close out the series.

Unlike other lists that may focus on what the winger not only does on the offensive side of the ice but in his own zone, which is certainly a major focus for blueliners, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective. Where germane, we most certainly will highlight the non-scoring aspects that the player brings to the table that tell the whole story, but that is a secondary aspect to where he sits on the list.

1. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

Makar is the clear No. 1 defenseman on this list. A Norris Trophy finalist each of the past four seasons, Makar last won the award in 2021-22. In 77 games last season, Makar finished second in points (90), 39 of which came on the man-advantage, goals (21) and assists (69) among defensemen and first in points per game (1.17). What helped set him apart last year was the 148 blocked shots, by far the most in his career, while also finishing ninth in the NHL averaging 24:46 of ice time per game. A 100-point season could be in the cards for Makar.

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2. Adam Fox, New York Rangers

The second spot is where the arguments start. Should it Quinn Hughes, Roman Josi, Evan Bouchard or someone else? I will let my hometown bias drive this pick slightly, though Fox certainly has an extremely strong case to be placed here. Fox finished sixth among defensemen with 73 points (17 goals, 56 assists) in 72 games last season and was tied for fourth with 33 power-play points while averaging 23:27 of ice time per game. A knee-to-knee hit by Sebastian Aho of the Hurricanes cost Fox, the 2020-21 Norris Trophy winner, 10 games and a new career high in points. On a team known for their power play, Fox is the trigger man for the attack.

3. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks

Hughes exploded out of the gate and never looked back. The numbers across the board set Hughes apart, carrying him to the Norris Trophy last season. (Notice a theme so far?) Hughes led all defensemen in points with 92 (17 goals, 75 assists), primary power-play assists with 17 and even-strength points (54). He finished second behind Makar in power-play points (38) and was fourth in plus/minus (plus-38) among defensemen. The Canucks captain has raised his point total each of the last three seasons and could also sniff triple digits in points this season.

4. Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers

If the ranking was for best overall defensemen, Bouchard would not be in this spot, but our focus here is fantasy blueliners. Bouchard built on his fine post-2023 trade deadline production to increase his output across the board. Bouchard set career highs in every offensive category including goals (18), assists (64), plus-minus (plus-34), power-play goals (8), power-play points (35), game-winning goals (7), shots on goal (220) and ice time per game (23:00). For good measure, Bouchard added 105 blocked shots and 71 hits, giving him value in leagues that play with those categories.

5. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

Josi is like fine wine; he gets better with age. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 23 goals and 85 points while also leading all blueliners with 268 shots across 82 regular-season outings. Josi logs over 24 minutes of ice time a game and blocked 151 shots last season, displaying his well-rounded game. The 34-year-old won the Norris Trophy in 2019-20 and should finish his career in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Team Preview: Nashville Predators

6. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Sticking with the veterans, our sixth-best fantasy defenseman is Hedman, who bounced back in 2023-24 with 13 goals and 76 points in 78 games, following a 49-point performance across 76 outings in the prior season. The talk heading into last season was that Hedman had been surpassed on the Lightning blue line by Mikhail Sergachev.

Not so fast, said the venerable Hedman, punctuating his campaign with 31 points on the man-advantage. He inked a four-year, $32-million contract extension with the Lightning during the offseason after the team traded Sergachev to Utah.

Related: Utah Hockey Club Set to Unleash Mikhail Sergachev's Full Potential

7. Noah Dobson, New York Islanders

Unless you are a die-hard fan, Dobson’s name might not resonate. That would be a major mistake. Dobson took a major step forward last year, posting 10 goals and 70 points, 24 of which came on the power-play, in 79 contests. Dobson benefitted from close to four more minutes of ice time nightly, almost three of which came on the man-advantage, and skating close to 25 minutes per contest. Add in 180 blocks and you most certainly have a complete blueliner.

Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Team Preview: New York Islanders

8. Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars

We all knew it was a question of when, not if, Heiskanen would take the next step in his game to become an elite blueliner. The then was in 2022-23, as Heiskanen had 11 goals and 62 assists in 79 games. He “regressed” offensively slightly last season, falling to nine goals and 45 assists in 71 contests. A major driver for that fall was his decline in PP points, from 34 to 21. Thomas Harley will usurp some man-advantage time from Heiskanen, whose overall game helps land him in this spot.

9. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins

McAvoy’s offensive production left a little bit to be desired last season, but I am expecting a bump in output this season. He potted a career-best 12 goals but fell to 35 assists last year, partially impacted by a five-helper decline on the power play. My prediction of a rise in scoring is due to the expectation that he will continue to see three-plus minutes on the man-advantage and aided by the presence of Elias Lindholm. McAvoy also set career highs in hits (159) and blocked shots (159), adding to his value.

10. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres

Dahlin took a significant step back last season after a career season in 2022-23. After tallying 15 goals with 58 assists the prior season, Dahlin’s offensive output mirrored that of the Sabres, falling off significantly as he dropped to 20 and 59, respectively.

What we discovered last season is that Owen Power is really not a significant offensive threat from the blue line, adding more to the burden for Dahlin. He should be better up to the task this year buffeted by improved performances around him. Add in 154 blocked shots and 195 hits, and you have a complete defenseman.

Honorable Mentions:

Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers
Mike Matheson, Montreal Canadiens
Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brandon Montour, Seattle Kraken
Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets

Related:

Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey: Top 10 Centers

Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey: Top 10 Left Wingers

Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey: Top 10 Right Wingers