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NHL DFS Defensemen Value Picks
In NHL DFS it is all about finding value either later in drafts or with players that cost less to put into your lineup. Finding value at defensemen in the NHL can be tricky but I am here with a list of 7 defensemen who you can put into your lineup that do not need to necessarily score to be worth what you paid for them to get them into your lineups.
These players get a bulk of their DFS points from hits, blocked shots, and shots on goal. Not to say these guys won’t record a point, but when they do, it is an added bonus and makes not paying up for a more expensive defenseman very worth it.
In Underdog fantasy Hockey the scoring is broken down like this:
- Goal= 6 points
- Assist= 4 points
- Powerplay Point= .5 points
- Shot on goal= 1 point
- Hit= .5 points
- Blocked Shot= 1 point
Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers is one of my favorite defensemen to put into my lineups. He ranks top 10 in the league for shots by defensemen, averaging 2.6 a game. He blocks 2.3 shots a game on average and lays 2.7 hits a game. Now just right there that’s about 6.2 points every game and that’s without notching a point on the scoresheet (even though he averages 2.7 hits a game, it is scored as .5 for each hit in Underdog fantasy scoring, making his hits per game average points 1.3). He even still manages .49 average points a game (PPG%). For the price you can get Trouba in your lineup he is well worth it.
Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers defenseman is a good value play in your lineups. For starters he is always on the ice, averaging over 26 minutes a game of ice time. In that time, he lets loose 3.2 shots a game on average. He also blocks 1.8 shots and has about 3 hits a game on average. His ice time mixed with his involvement in the game whether on the defensive end blocking shots or laying hits and his shots per game makes him a good upside play in your DFS lineups.
Noah Dobson, New York Islanders defenseman is a good all-around player. Dobson averages .6 PPG and he is on the first powerplay unit, giving him even more chances to get points. Blocks about 2 shots a game on average as well. Dobson is a very well-rounded player and gets a lot of ice time mixed with powerplay opportunities. These factors make him a good pick for your lineup.
MacKenzie Weegar is just an all-round great defenseman. He does everything the Panthers ask him to. He plays first-line minutes with Aaron Ekblad and Weegar is the more defensive-minded player of that pairing. He averages 2 blocked shots a game, and 2.3 hits a game. Not to mention he still gets his shots away averaging 2.4 a game. The Panthers are the best offensive team in the NHL and being able to get a player on the first defensive pairing who is very well rounded is well worth the value. He is averaging .6 points a game this season.
Blackhawks defenseman, Connor Murphy leads all players in blocked shots on the season, averaging 2.6 a game. He also averages 2.3 hits a game. Murphy is a safe floor guy for me to sneak into my lineups if I do not have a lot of salary left. Paying up for defensemen usually only works out if they record a point, but with Murphy, he will get you a few points with blocked shots and hits. Then on nights, he does record a point his value is tremendous.
Detroit Red Wings rookie Moritz Seider is a great play-making defenseman. Seider is on the ice all the time, averaging 23 minutes a game. He averages .69 points per game and he is a part of the first defensive pairing and the first powerplay unit. He blocks about 2 shots a game as well. With how electric the young defenseman is, combined with the amount of ice time he gets every game, he is a good option for your DFS lineups.
Buffalo Sabres blueliner, Rasmus Dahlin is having a respectable season. He is one of the better players on his team and the ice team reflects that, he is averaging well over 23 minutes a game on average. He averages 2.2 shots and 1.3 hits a game. He also averages .64 points a game. Dahlin has the upside of being on the ice for many of the Sabres offensive zone faceoffs. In addition, his playmaking ability makes him a good addition to your lineup. when looking for value.
Bonus DFS Tip
FantasyData’s Projections and NHL Optimizer has a few gems for Thursday’s slate of games. But one that stands out as a huge bargain is Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars. The Stars face off against the dreadful Montreal Canadians. Rumors are Jake Allen will be in net for the Habs, who has a GAA of 3.15. Allen is 5-16 in 24 games he’s started this season. While Seguin is on the second line and doesn’t see as much ice time as say, Hintz or Pavelski, he is on the top power-play line. He’s also a massive bargain at just $4,300 at DraftKings.
To see more of our NHL Value picks for DraftKings or Fanduel, Click Here
