NHL Thursday: Defensive DraftStreet Picks

by landsharkhockey Last Updated 2012-02-16 16:49:56

If you’ve been playing fantasy hockey on Draftstreet for very long, you’re likely aware that it’s a common strategy to underspend on defense in order to save cap space for the more lucrative positions. On average, a defenseman will give you half the value of a forward, so it only makes sense to budget accordingly. The problem is that you still have to fill those spots, and you don’t want to completely write off the position. This week, I’ll highlight some of best bargains on defense that will barely register in terms of cap hits. I’ll also highlight a few exceptional defensemen that are worth taking a chance and spending a little more on when setting your lineup.

BARGAIN OPTIONS

Let’s start with the bottom of the barrel. If you’re of the mindset of just barely getting by on defense, here are some of the best options to fill up those two final spots without denting your cap:

Niklas Hjalmarsson (CHI) – $3.7k
Hjalmarsson has been on my bargain radar all season long. He’s one of the few known players on the bottom of the list that provides 1.5+ FPPG. Most of that is due to blocked shots, as he’s one of the best in business at playing pseudo-goalie. He’s on the shelf right now with an upper body injury, so you’ll have to look elsewhere tonight.

Roman Josi (NAS) – $2.9k
Seems like all the Predators do is draft offensively gifted defensemen. Weber, Suter, Klein, Ellis, Blum… and now rookie Josi is showing signs of forming into that mold. He’s put up some nice numbers for a rookie and has seen his playing time climb significantly as the season has progressed.

Zybnek Michalek (PIT) – $3.2k
He obviously doesn’t possess the scoring touch that brother Milan has, but he contributes in enough categories to earn you 1.5 FPPG at a negligible price. He hasn’t scored a goal since October, but if you recall last season, he had a similar story line heading into the spring, before putting up 3 goals in 4 games last March. If he can rekindle that magic, he’ll be the steal of the day.

Tomas Kaberle (MON) – $3.9k
Draftstreet pays little attention to a player’s career when setting the cap prices. What matters is what they’ve done lately. And lately, Kaberle has been a shadow of his former self. But that old Kaberle is still in there somewhere and may re-emerge for a few games at a time. Remember, he did piece together a 6-game point streak in early December after joining the Habs. That potential, paired with a price under 4k, makes him an attractive option, particularly on nights where Montreal faces a weak defensive opponent.

Paul Martin (PIT) – $4.2k
Martin may well be run out of Pittsburgh by the fans due to his defensive game falling apart this year, but he’s manage to keep fantasy bargain seekers happy with his 1.7 FPPG and low pricetag. He’s capable of more.

CONSIDER THE ELITE

On the other extreme from your bargain options sit a handful of elite defensemen who come close to performing at the same level as many top-notch forwards. But should you consider committing a huge sum of cap hit to anyone at this position? In some cases, the answer is a strong maybe. Consider the elite options, which are limited to about five or six players: Letang, Weber, Karlsson, Chara, and perhaps Boyle. These players average between 3.25 and 3.87 FPPG and range in salary from $9.8k to $13.3k. This is a lot of cap to spend on a defenseman, but is it worth it? Let’s start at the top with Letang:

Kris Letang (PIT) is currently priced at $13.3k and averages 3.87 FPPG. Compare that production with forwards providing the same points per game. First off, there aren’t many. Hartnell, Gaborik, and Lupul all fall in that territory, and the cheapest of these is Lupul at $14.6k. So in terms of dollar to point ratio, you can actually do better on average with Letang than with a comparable forward.

You’ll get a similar storyline with Shea Weber (NAS) and Erik Karlsson (OTT). Their comparables on offense in terms of production (Eberle, Backes, Callahan, Parise) will cost you about 1k more in cap hit. Dan Boyle (SJ) is particularly tempting. At a cap of “just” $9.8k, he averages 3.25 FPPG. To find similar production on offense, you’ll spend as much as $15k for a guy like Lucic.

So at least in terms of the absolute elite on defense, perhaps it can pay to invest on defense.

VALUE IN THE MIDDLE

So you’ve looked at the bargain options and they all turn your stomach. You can’t afford an elite option, or there just aren’t any in action this day to consider. So, you’re left scrolling in the middle of the pack. What are your best plays in this region? Here are a few names right now worth considering in the $5k to $8k cap territory.

Ryan Ellis (NAS) – $5k
Ellis borders on bargain territory at just 5k. He’s another one of those young offensive powers on the Nashville blue line. He’s started to get more playing time lately and has average 1.78 FPPG for the Preds. He’s coming off a 2 point night against the Hawks on Valentine’s Day.

Marc-Andre Bergeron (TB) – $5.4k
Bergeron stands out in this price range with an average FPPG of 2.36. The reason is his health. He’s in and out of the lineup constantly, and currently he’s back on the shelf. He carries bonus potential when healthy, as the Bolts sometimes utilize him as a forward, but you can draft him as a defenseman.

John-Michael Liles (TOR) – $6k
Liles has dried up a bit lately, which explains his relatively low salary for a guy averaging 2.4 FPPG on the season. Most defensemen in that range will run you $8k to $9k. He’ll rebound and you should capitalize while he’s cheap.

Nicklas Lidstrom (DET) – $7.5k
Reigning Norris Trophy winner. No need to explain much here. He’s still a monster and averages 2.65. Just look at the names around him in his price range and he jumps off the page.

MY DRAFTSTREET NHL ROSTER FOR TONIGHT

In terms of goalie selection, a handful of options stand out as likely winners:

1. Lundqvist (NYR) vs Chicago — Top team in the East versus a Hawks team that hasn’t won in about a month. Problem is Lundqvist’s cap hit is ridiculous.

2. Halak (STL) vs NY Islanders — The Blues are beasts on defense. The Isles are unpredictable in terms of scoring.

3. Smith (PHO) vs LA – The Kings just don’t score goals and the Coyotes are surging with Smith in net.

Of the 3, only Halak is reasonable in terms of price at $20.4k, so I’ll start there. Note: if you want to roll the dice with Crawford, he’s almost free at $9.8k tonight. Big chance, but tempting price.

One matchup to consider stacking tonight is San Jose vs Tampa Bay. Both teams have been scoring lately and neither has done a particularly good job of stopping the puck in recent games. Signs point to a high-scoring affair.
I’m also favoring a couple of low-priced Sabres against a struggling Flyers defense tonight.

Here’s how my first draft shapes up:

Good luck tonight!