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. After this article we will close with goalies. In-between each ranking column is a fantasy article by Jason Chen focused on a different aspect than the positions. Unlike other lists that may focus on what the pivotman not only does on the ice, but between the dots and in his own zone, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective the balance of the season. 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. Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers:
Yes, I know it’s blasphemous not to have Cale Makar in this spot, but here me out. Bouchard really found his game heading into the Olympics break. Over the last 10 games, Bouchard posted four goals, 13 helpers and a plus-8 rating. That hot streak upped his season numbers to 63 points (22 on the power play), 161 shots on net, 78 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a plus-11 rating through 58 appearances this season. Bouchard, who is just 19 points shy of his career-high set two years ago, should benefit from the return of Paul Coffey behind the Edmonton bench.
2. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche:
Makar’s scoring pace has slowed from his hot start, which likely will prevent him from hitting the 90-point mark for the third season in a row. He is tied for fourth in scoring amongst blueliners with 15 goals and 42 assists along with 91 blocked shots in 55 contests. Makar has notched 19 of his points on the man advantage, giving him a chance to hit the 30-point mark in those situations for the fifth straight campaign. His overall game may even be more impressive than his fantasy one.
3. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets:
Choice your poison as to which defenseman should be third or fourth. Werenski gets the nod by a hair, as he is on pace to exceed the career-high 82 points he tallied last season. He headed into the Olympics riding a seven-game point streak in which he's racked up two goals and 10 points. The second tally was his 20th of the season, making him the first defenseman in history with 20 goals prior to an Olympic break. Add in 42 assists and 65 blocked shots and Werenski is having another banner season.
4. Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild:
The trade of Hughes to Minnesota has provided him and the team with a major boost. He entered the Olympics on a 10-game point streak, notching a pair of goals and 16 assists (seven on the power play). For the season, Hughes is up to 57 points (25 on the power play), 143 shots on net, 59 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 52 appearances between the Wild and the Canucks. He has notched three markers and 31 helpers in 26 contests in the House of Hockey.
5. Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens:
Hutson was brilliant as a rookie, posting six goals and 60 assists, 26 of the points coming on the power play, along with 123 blocked shots. He is showing that we hadn’t seen anything yet. Hutson is already up to 10 tallies, 48 helpers, a plus-22 rating and 90 blocked shots in 57 contests. He has notched 16 of those points on the man-advantage manning the Habs’ power play. Hutson’s play is a big reason why Montreal sits second in the Atlantic Division.
6. Darren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning:
Every time we expect the clock to strike 12, Raddysh takes his game to another level. Victor Hedman is expected back when play resumes, but he suffered a lower-body injury in warmups of the USA-Sweden quarterfinals matchup, putting his status up in the air. Raddysh closed the first half of the season on a six-game point streak (five goals, five assists), upping his season-marks to a surprising 17 goals, 35 assists, 20 power-play points, 129 shots and a plus-17 rating. He is benefitting from a 13.4 percent shooting percentage, but he should remain very productive on the Tampa blueline.
7. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres:
Dahlin has taken his game to the next level the past three seasons. He is having another fine campaign for the Sabres, notching 11 goals and 37 assists in 53 contests. Dahlin sits just two points shy of 50 for the fifth straight campaign despite dealing with a personal issue. He has already posted 17 points on the power play with his overall play helping sit in a Wild Card spot. Dahlin closed out the first half strong and should be extremely productive the remainder of the season.
8. Jakob Chychrun, Washington Capitals:
The trade from Ottawa to Washington was the best thing that could have happened to Chychrun’s career. His game has gone to the next level after trading one nation’s capital for another. Chychrun scored a career-high 20 goals -- the third-highest mark among NHL defensemen -- and matched a career high with 27 assists last season, his first as a Capital. He has already that goal total this season and sits just two assists shy of last year’s mark in 17 less games.
9. Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators:
Sanderson, selected fifth overall in 2020, took a step forward last season. After tallying 32 and 38 points his first two seasons, Sanderson notched a career-high 11 goals and 46 assists in 80 regular-season games last season with 30 of those points coming on the power play. Sanderson has already posted 11 tallies with 35 helpers in 57 contests, 17 of those points coming on the man-advantage. He’s dished out 109 hits; the fourth straight campaign he has topped the century mark in that category.
10. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators:
Several blueliners warrant consideration at this spot. John Carlson, Miro Heiskanen, Adam Fox, Josh Morrissey, Matthew Schaefer, John Carlson, Charlie McAvoy, etc., are certainly deserving. Josi gets the nod based on how he closed the pre-Olympics schedule in addition to how he played in Milan. He had seven multi-point efforts over his last 12 games, giving Josi 11 goals and 39 points in 44 outings this season, topping his totals from 53 games last year.
Honorable mention: John Carlson, Washington Capitals, Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars, Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins, Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets, John Carlson, Washington Capitals, Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders, Adam Fox, New York Rangers