2010 Super Fantasy Rankings: Top 10 Fantasy Defensemen

Ever wonder which fantasy rankings you should go by?  

We have complied a list using 15 different fantasy rankings to create a super-ranking.  Last week, we looked at goalies, and this week defensemen.  

Most NHL teams have at least two quality fantasy defensemen, but most pools require you to draft at least four defensemen, so do your research.  When you start drafting defensemen in the deeper rounds of your draft, be sure you are getting a player who at the very least is on the second power-play unit and is a top 3-4 defenseman.

Here are the top 10 defensemen:

1. Mike Green (Washington)—Green was ranked as the No. 1 defenseman on ALL 15 lists. 

Two straight seasons with over 70 points.  Green should be drafted in the top 10 of any fantasy draft.

2. Drew Doughty (Los Angeles)—Doughty was ranked as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 4.

Over half of Doughty’s points last year came on the power play (31 power-play points).  Doughty is in a contract year and is only 20, so his best years are still ahead of him.

3. Duncan Keith (Chicago)—Keith was ranked as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 8.

Keith moved into elite status last season, so don’t expect another big jump in stats, but he should be a consistent 60-65 point player.  Despite the huge turnover in Chicago, the offensive players are still there, so there won’t be a huge drop in points.

4. Dan Boyle (San Jose)—Boyle was ranked as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 6.

Boyle is an offensive defenseman on a strong team, but at the age of 34, he may only have a few more strong years left in him. Something to keep in mind with young studs like Doughty, Keith, and Green out there. Boyle has increased his goal-scoring and point-scoring rates over the last two seasons. 

5. Chris Pronger (Philadelphia)—Pronger was ranked as high as No. 4 and as low as No. 26.

Pronger scored his most points in three seasons last year, and scored 50+ points for the third time since the lockout.  Pronger plays on the power play, gets points, and takes penalties. Everything you want from a fantasy defenseman.

6. Mark Streit (New York)—Streit was ranked as high as No. 6 and as low as No. 17.

Streit is a power-play specialist, and has a ton of offensive skill. However, he doesn’t have enough talent around him to match the numbers he put up in Montreal. Streit’s production has dropped in each of the last two seasons, but with the young guns another year older, watch for Streit’s numbers to start going up.  Streit has since injured his shoulder and will be out five-six months.

7. Zdeno Chara (Boston)—Chara was ranked as high as No. 3 and as low as No. 38. 

Chara is in a contract year, so expect him to put up big numbers.  Chara is great in multi-stat pools as he can score 15+ goals, 50 points, rack up power-play points, and is a lock for 80-100 PIMs a season.

8. Sergei Gonchar (Ottawa)—Gonchar was ranked as high as No. 4 and as low as No. 24. 

Gonchar is no longer passing to Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby, but with players Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza on the Senators, don’t count on a big drop in production.  Gonchar will still get his 50+ points and 30+ power-play points as long as he can stay healthy.

9. Shea Weber (Nashville)—Weber was ranked as high as No. 3 and as low as No. 21. 

Weber gets a ton of ice time and has a booming shot.  Weber’s production dropped last season, but should return to the 20+ goal and 50+ point marks this season. Weber is in a contract year, so look for him to score a bunch of goals as he goes for a bigger contract.

10. Dion Phaneuf (Toronto)—Phaneuf was ranked as high as No. 5 and as low as No. 24. 

Phaneuf struggled last season, which explains the huge difference in his rankings.  Phaneuf has a ton of offensive skill and is very gritty, but has been inconsistent as of late. The new Leaf captain will bounce back this season and return to his old goal-scoring, big-hitter form.

If you want to see the whole list go to www.fantasyhockeycoach.com.