Saturday's Defensemen Value Rankings
Here are theScore's defensemen value rankings for Saturday's 12-game slate.
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Dustin Byfuglien (WPG) | at COL | 9 |
| Andrej Sekera (EDM) | at MTL | 8 |
| Dougie Hamilton (CGY) | at VAN | 8 |
| Kris Letang (PIT) | at FLA | 7 |
| Erik Karlsson (OTT) | vs. TOR | 7 |
Showing his best form ahead of the trade deadline, Byfuglien has scored in five straight games, with six goals, three assists and 16 shots in that span.
Count Sekera among the many Oilers to benefit from Connor McDavid's return - the Slovak defenseman has a goal, two assists and six shots in the last two games.
In Calgary's first game without the suspended Dennis Wideman, Hamilton played 21:50 and registered a goal and an assist. He should take advantage of the increased power play role handed to him.
Letang's on nearly a point-per-game pace despite frequent injuries, while Karlsson may well live up to his premium price tag against the Leafs - he's managed three assists, four blocks and seven shots in the two games following the All-Star break.
Best of the Rest
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI) | vs. NYR | 7 |
| John Klingberg (DAL) | vs. CHI | 7 |
| Derrick Pouliot (PIT) | at FLA | 7 |
| Torey Krug (BOS) | vs. BUF | 7 |
| P.K. Subban (MTL) | vs. EDM | 7 |
| Shea Weber (NAS) | vs. SJ | 7 |
| Mark Giordano (CGY) | at VAN | 7 |
| Roman Josi (NAS) | vs. SJ | 7 |
| Cody Ceci (OTT) | vs. TOR | 7 |
| Erik Johnson (COL) | vs. WPG | 7 |
| Tyson Barrie (COL) | vs. WPG | 7 |
| Mike Green (DET) | vs. NYI | 7 |
| Nathan Beaulieu (MTL) | vs. EDM | 7 |
Gostisbehere has a six-game point streak (one goal, seven assists), though he's not at the bargain price he once was.
After a dry spell for most of January, Klingberg has two goals, two assists and 11 shots in his last three games.
The offensive-minded Pouliot has points in two of four games since a late-January call up, but won't see much power play time with Letang healthy.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Ekblad (FLA) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Zdeno Chara (BOS) | vs. BUF | 6 |
| Brent Burns (SJ) | at NAS | 6 |
| Ryan McDonagh (NYR) | at PHI | 6 |
| Dion Phaneuf (TOR) | at OTT | 6 |
| Ryan Suter (MIN) | at STL | 6 |
| Nick Leddy (NYI) | at DET | 6 |
| Marc-Edouard Vlasic (SJ) | at NAS | 6 |
| T.J. Brodie (CGY) | at VAN | 6 |
Burns has the highest-upside of any defensemen besides Karlsson, but his price makes it tough to return value without a multi-point night and a handful of shots and blocks. Teammate Vlasic, however, has an assist in three straight games, though isn't known for his offense.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan Keith (CHI) | at DAL | 5 |
| Kevin Shattenkirk (STL) | vs. MIN | 5 |
| John Carlson (WAS) | at NJ | 4 |
The Blues have scored five goals in their last five games, making all of their offensive assets - including Shattenkirk - stayaways.
In three games back since a lengthy injury layoff, Carlson has no points, five blocks and six shots, hardly justifying his high price. Wait until he returns to form.