2022 Fantasy Hockey Defensemen Sleepers
Happy NHL opening day! The last fantasy post before the games start today. If you haven’t checked out my sleeper post for the goalies and forwards, check those out. However, this post may be the most important. If you do not have the top end forwards, you cannot win fantasy hockey. Completing your team is all about finding those defensemen late in drafts to carry you to the promise land.
Without further ado, here are my top 2022 fantasy hockey defensemen sleepers you should be targeting in your drafts.
Thomas Chabot (Ottawa Senators) D25, Overall 101
I love Thomas Chabot this year. He’s an iron man and the ice time will always be there. He’s been over 26 minutes three years in a row. This time, the Senators are actually good. Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux are great new additions. It’s also a young core with Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle, and Brady Tkachuk are all improving. There is no second defenseman on this team to take over the top end power play either. Give me all the Chabot stock. It’s not an egregious ranking but I’d be much higher.
Shea Theodore (Golden Knights) D30, Overall 115
The Golden Knights will be better this year and this ranking for Theodore is way too low. He’s the top puck moving defenseman on a team that will be much better this year under Bruce Cassidy. Career high 52 points last year and still very much in the prime of his career. This is a no brainer pick deep in drafts.
Tony DeAngelo (Philadelphia Flyers) D32, Overall 125
This is a stinky one but trust me. The upside here is just too good to pass. I want no Flyers stock but c’mon. I’m going to get powerplay points here. DeAngelo was damn good in Carolina from a fantasy perspective. The biggest concern here is just the fact that Philadelphia is just so terrible. However, DeAngelo is coming off a really nice year in Carolina and the Flyers paid him for a reason. They don’t trust Provorov to get the job done offensively. At 125? Why not?
John Klingberg (Anaheim Ducks) D33, Overall 129
I get that Klingberg looks like a skeleton and is maybe overrated in real life but I love this spot for him. One year prove it deal with the Ducks. They’re young but slowly getting better. Klingberg is going to get all those high level spots before Jamie Drysdale takes over a year from now. When you’re getting to this spot in the draft, this is just the type of dart throws you want to take.
Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche) D34, Overall 131
I know +/- may not matter but in fantasy? Toews was a +52 last year. This Avalanche team is damn good and the points are going to be there. The same applies later in drafts for Bowen Byram. Even if Toews wasn’t a good player, you want him this late. Pick guys on good teams. Well, Colorado is going to score a lot of goes and Toews will be the beneficiary a lot of time.
Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) D35, Overall 138
Career high 68 points last year and I’m just telling you, don’t totally sleep on the Canucks. They very well could be a playoff team and if not will compete for a spot in the dance. We’re forgetting this guy is still just 23 later this month. The breakout is on the way.
Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars) D39, Overall 152
Miro Heiskanen is a damn good hockey player. The point total may not be there but just watch the games. Skates the hell out of the puck. The eyeball test favors Heiskanen. He’s not Makar but has that alien ability in him. I think this is the year. Also heading into age 23 season. John Klingberg is also gone and now this is HIS show. 152 overall is sinfully terrible. I’m much higher. In fact, I have Heiskanen in the running to win the Norris. A top 3 finish is coming.
Erik Karlsson (San Jose Sharks) D42, Overall 156
I love the bounceback season for Karlsson. I’m not sure how many of these we’re getting but this dude still has stupid talent. Furthermore, Brent Burns is gone. This man is going to eat on the powerplay. He’s going to handle a huge offensive workload without Burns in the lineup.
Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes) D52, Overall 199
We’re still talking about a top 10 defensemen in the sport. I know the Burns addition takes some shine off here but I would argue it shouldn’t. The blocks will be there. The ice time will be there. Plus, this is a team that won the Metro last year comfortably. They’re going to be high in the Metro again and Slavin is their anchor in the back. 199 is crazy value.
Tyson Barrie (Edmonton Oilers) D65, Overall 231
I’m more nervous about this one. There is a chance the value could tank quickly. Evan Bouchard is going to overtake him at some point. It’s a matter of when. Still, this is Tyson Barrie we’re talking about. If he’s not working your power play, then why is he on your team?
I get a puck moving defensemen who gets to dish it to McDavid and Draisaitl? Gavin picked Barrie in the top 20 last year for a reason. Now you can have him at 231? C’mon. Maybe he tanks this year but man, how do you not take this shot?
Sean Durzi (Los Angeles Kings) D72, Overall 247
Still some work to be done. Remember, this is fantasy. We want offense. My eyes tell my Durzi rocked on the power play last year and was a huge reason why the Drew Doughty loss didn’t feel like such a killer. Durzi did his job and did it well.
I’m sorry but if you’re the Kings, I want Durzi out there with the studs. Let Doughty lift the second unit. They won’t do it but the point is still taken. Young player, getting better, and can move the puck. Take the shot.
Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) D81, Overall 286
We know the deal here. Going to be out a while. That’s okay! At this value? This is like stealing late in the draft. McAvoy is a STAR and getting his contributions in December will be vital for any fantasy team.
