Kale Makar sits atop a sprawling, offense-heavy era for defensemen, with Quinn Hughes nudging him as the session’s closest challenger. Adam Fox anchors the Rangers’ puck-driving backbone, and Thomas Harley’s breakout season is a marquee storyline for Dallas. Charlie McAvoy, Evan Bouchard, and Zack Werenski form a formidable mid-range tier, while Gustav Forsling, Rasmus Dahlin, Jacob Slavin, and Erik Karlsson round out a defensive corps that now defines fantasy value as much by transition play as by shut-down ability.

The dialogue underscores that the Norris conversation is as much about skating, gap control, and power-play impact as raw points. Heiskanen and Karlsson surface in lighter spots, reminding us mobility and IQ still swing fantasy upside, even if pure totals don’t always shout. Oilers fans especially should note Bouchard’s ascent, a reminder that elite defensemen now pace the fantasy game from the back end.

In practice, owners should lean into players who eat minutes, run the top power play, and push transition plays. The top five or six names are likely to be the season-long anchors, with the rest offering robust complementary value depending on team context and minutes. This top-10 map signals a shift: offense now defines a defenseman’s fantasy ceiling as much as his defensive chops did a decade ago.

Igor Shesterkin anchors the NHL’s goalie elite, with Connor Hellebuyck and Sergei Bobrovsky close behind. Andrei Vasilevskiy sits in the next tier, then Juuse Saros, Illya Sorokin, and Jeremy Swayman. Frederik Andersen and Darcy Kuemper round out the top 10, offering durability and playoff pedigree.

Context matters as much as talent: regular-season metrics mingle with playoff performance and team support. Shesterkin remains the anchor; Kuemper and Andersen provide steady workloads and potential streaming wins when the schedule is dense.

Two fantasy hockey hosts zero in on possible regression candidates for draft season, highlighting six names with clear red-flag potential. Heiskanen carries a lower offensive ceiling than elite peers, especially if Dallas splits the power-play duties with Harley. Moritz Seider’s point output may not reach the outlier 73 seen once, and his floor sits around the 40–50 range depending on PP deployment. Swayman faces a leaky Boston defense and could lose value in a 50/50 split, while Pettersson’s production could dip from a career peak amid Vancouver’s surrounding turmoil. Seth Jarvis sits in a similar risk zone, with upside largely tied to team context and line mates.

Harley’s emergence shakes up Dallas’ top unit talk, presenting a classic dynasty vs. redraft moment: is Harley the new PP1 quarterback, or does Heiskanen still anchor power plays enough to keep him valuable in categories that reward shots and blocks? The conversation threads through targets and fades to guide savvy fantasy managers on where to push or pass in the early rounds.

Noah Dobson’s Montreal reset could lift him toward a 65–70 point pace, anchored by a refreshed top six and expanded power play.

Jeremy Swayman enters a season with less off-ice disruption and a steadier Bruins blue line, boosting his fantasy floor and win potential.

Austin Matthews should rebound behind Toronto’s strengthened supporting cast, with Carter Verhaeghe delivering sustained two‑way value in Florida. Andrei Svechnikov’s return to form in Carolina makes him a top‑tier two‑way asset, while Mitch Marner remains central to Toronto’s attack.

Late draft whispers around Mason Lohrei and Anton Wahlberg point to valuable depth in the blue lines and deeper leagues.