Here are theScore's defensemen value rankings for Thursday, January 14:
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Josi (NAS) | at WPG | 9 |
| Brent Burns (SJ) | vs. EDM | 9 |
| Matt Niskanen (WAS) | vs. VAN | 8 |
| Kevin Shattenkirk (STL) | vs. CAR | 8 |
| Duncan Keith (CHI) | at MTL | 8 |
Josi continues to lead the Predators skaters in points (31) and has a favorable matchup in Winnipeg. Niskanen has stepped in for fellow D John Carlson and has tallied five assists over seven games during his absence.
Best of the Rest
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Keith Yandle (NYR) | at NYI | 7 |
| Dustin Byfuglien (WPG) | vs. NAS | 7 |
| Justin Faulk (CAR) | at STL | 7 |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI) | vs. DET | 7 |
| Tyson Barrie (COL) | vs. NJ | 7 |
| Brent Seabrook (CHI) | at MTL | 7 |
| Shea Weber (NAS) | at WPG | 7 |
Injuries to Avalanche defenders have catapulted Barrie into a high-value rank and rightfully so, he should receive a pile of ice time and return his inexpensive value with ease.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Colton Parayko (STL) | vs. CAR | 6 |
| Alex Pietrangelo (STL) | vs. CAR | 6 |
| P.K. Subban (MTL) | vs. CHI | 6 |
| Ryan McDonagh (NYR) | at NYI | 6 |
| Francois Beauchemin (COL) | vs. NJ | 5 |
| Karl Alzner (WAS) | vs. VAN | 5 |
| Andrei Markov (MTL) | at CHI | 5 |
Like Barrie, injuries have uplifted Parayko to a higher than usual rank, as teammates Jay Bouwmeester and Carl Gunnarsson are sidelined nursing upper body injuries.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Green (DET) | at ARI | 4 |
| Alexander Edler (VAN) | at WAS | 4 |
| Niklas Kronwall (DET) | at ARI | 4 |
| Nick Leddy (NYI) | vs. NYR | 3 |
Though Green and Leddy quarterback their respective power plays, they have limited upside with regular ice-time, thus resulting in a fade.
