There is plenty of change on the horizon around the NHL this offseason with the NHL Draft, expansion draft and free agency set for the summer of 2017. Before we look to the future, now is the perfect time to reflect back on last season. We ranked the top players at each position based on the standard fantasy hockey league categories including goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty minutes, powerplay points, shorthanded points and shots on goal. Finding an elite fantasy hockey defensemen isn’t easy but if you owned one of the top options then you definitely had a significant advantage in your league. Here is a look at the top-five defensemen in fantasy hockey leagues from the 2016-17 season.
Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
At a position that is extremely thin at the top, Burns was an absolute beast in fantasy hockey leagues. The veteran defensemen scored 29 goals and recorded 47 assists while registering a plus-19 rating. His biggest edge was in the shots on goal department, as he finished with 320 when no other defensemen had more than 241. He was also a special teams demon with 25 powerplay points and one shorthanded point. Burns ranked fourth among all skaters in standard fantasy hockey leagues last season. No other defensemen ranked in the top-13 overall.
Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets
Byfuglien was another absolute monster on the blue line last season as he finished with 13 goals, 39 assists and 241 shots on goal. While his 14 powerplay points wasn’t anything special, his 117 penalty minutes was the most at his position for any defensemen that registered at least five points last season. Byfuglien’s value is highest in leagues that count penalty minutes. It won’t be a surprise if he produces better powerplay production in 2017-18.
The Jets again had a tumultuous season in 2016-17 but it didn’t seem to affect Byfuglien’s NHL fantasy value. The Jets finished with just 87 points last season, which was the sixth-fewest in the Western Conference. Things don’t look like they’ll change much in 2018.
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
Karlsson’s 71 points was a disappointment to many fantasy owners even though they were still the third-most among defensemen. Karlsson’s point total was down after he registered 82 points the previous season, but he still ranked third at his position in standard leagues with 17 goals, 54 assists and 27 powerplay points. Karlsson also contributed two shorthanded goals and 218 shots on goal. At 27-years-old, it will be very interesting to see if Karlsson improves on his point total from this past season in year two under head coach Guy Boucher.
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Hedman put together a career-year in 2016-17 when he recorded 72 points in 79 games for the Lightning. The 26-year-old registered 16 goals and 56 assists including 33 powerplay points, which led all defensemen. The return of Steven Stamkos could make the Tampa Bay powerplay that much more dangerous in 2017-18. Hedman has solidified his position as a top-five fantasy defensemen looking forward to next year.
The Lightning just missed out on the playoffs last year as they collected 94 points, which was one shy of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who secured the final playoff spot in the East. They’re still a very talented team, though, and if everyone stays healthy, one would expect them to be back in the postseason.
Dougie Hamilton, Calgary Flames
While Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber and Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano deserve honorable mention here, Hamilton earned the final spot on this NHL fantasy list with a career year in Calgary. Hamilton registered 13 goals, 37 assists and a plus-12 rating last season. His 64 penalty minutes marked the second-highest total of any player on this list and he also had 222 shots on goal.
Hamilton was integral in helping the Flames vault up the standings. After a tumultuous season in 2015-16, they managed to collect 94 points last year while securing a playoff berth. They weren’t able to do much in the playoffs, though, as they got swept in four straight games by the Anaheim Ducks.
After struggling to live up to his potential throughout his first few years in the NHL, Hamilton’s fantasy stock is definitely on the rise looking forward to next season.
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