Don’t Eat The Cheese: 2024 Fantasy Hockey Defensemen Busts

Don’t Eat The Cheese: 2024 Fantasy Hockey Defensemen Busts

The 2024 Fantasy Hockey content machine continues with the Don’t Eat The Cheese series. Remember, this list is all about crossing names off the list. This year we’re adding video explanations so you know exactly why I think the way I do. After hitting the goalies, it’s time to review the busts for defensemen.

You don’t have to listen to me but I’d recommend you do so. I’ve never lost in the four years I’ve done this and all I’ve done is beat the piss out of Sean Allen every single year…

*Link To ESPN’s 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Rankings/Projections:

Noah Dobson (New York Islanders) D4, 38th overall

Progression isn’t always linear and I think we’ve gone too far with this one. Not a shot Noah Dobson is the 4th best defenseman in the NHL. No way. A 70-point season a year ago sort of came out of nowhere. Not saying he can’t ever get back to the point but we’re talking about passing on established big names for a guy who has proved it one year.

There is also the Islanders factor that needs to be talked about. This team is boring and doesn’t score any goals. I wouldn’t pick any player on their team inside the top 50 for that reason alone. I think we jumped the gun here big time on Dobson and wouldn’t be surprised at all if he goes back down to around 50 points. If that happens, you reached in a terrible way.

Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils) D7, 53rd overall

I’d be nervous about this one. Hamilton basically missed all last season and Luke Hughes is starting to nip on his heels. Hughes is going to be the long term answer to run this powerplay. I like the outlook for the Devils this year but Hamilton’s impact remains to be seen. He’s crossed the 50-point total twice in his career.

Hamilton could very easily make this pick worth your while but it almost feels like you’re paying a premium to pick him at his ceiling. Injury concerns and Hughes lurking make me too nervous to buy at this price.

MacKenzie Weegar (Calgary Flames) D10, 59th overall

This ranking is a joke. Weegar had a career season last year at age 30 but it had everything to do with Calgary having no one else. The Flames are in total rebuild mode. Rasmus Andersson is probably the current leader to run the first unit powerplay. Weegar could be traded at any moment and if he is, it will be to a contender that wants him for his defense. This price for Weegar is Looney Tunes land. Much better real life player than real fantasy asset. Two years ago he had 31 points with Calgary. That could be a very real result for this year and if that happens, you made a huge mistake picking him this high.

Mike Matheson (Montreal Canadiens) D14, 69th overall

Same thing I just said about Weegar sort of applies to Mike Matheson, except Matheson isn’t even a good player. Career season at age 29 and a lot of it had to do with picking up PP points with Montreal. Something Kaiden Guhle or Lane Hutson could snipe from him at any moment. Unlike Weegar, Matheson doesn’t even have positive on-ice metrics.

His prior career high is 34 points. He’s only crossed 30 points one other time. This ranking is a joke. Don’t be a noob and pick a nobody this high.

Jacob Trouba (New York Rangers) D17, 81st overall

Your league rules may be a factor here but for normal leagues, Trouba should be avoided. He provides zero offense. It’s all blocked shots and K’Andre Miller is ascending in the pecking order. The Rangers tried to get rid of Trouba, by the way. He’s getting older and it looks like he’s starting to decline.

The guy had 22 points last year and sees virtually no powerplay time. What’s the upside here? You’re hoping and praying the block shot totals are there. Which, they probably will be. They just can’t be the entire make up of the diet if you’re picking him this high. This is way too high and will kill your season if the offense doesn’t improve, which there are no signs that is on the table.

Brandon Montour (Seattle Kraken) D18, 82nd overall

Why would Vince Dunn not be the number one guy in Seattle? Dunn has thrived with the Kraken and had 46 points in 59 games last year. The year before, Dunn had 64 points in 81 games. Why would Brandon Montour steal this job? Based on what?

This Kraken team doesn’t score enough to justify picking Montour this high. They don’t have Barkov and Tkachuk on this team. I’m not sure if you’re aware of that. Montour doesn’t just have to leapfrog Dunn (which I’m skeptical of) but he also has to produce offense on a team that doesn’t score. No thanks at this price.

Alex Pietrangelo (Vegas Golden Knights) D22, 100th overall

This is a tricky one to talk about. I love Alex Pietrangelo. He’s a Hall of Famer and won two cups. He deserves all of the respect. Except this is fantasy and I think the VGK blue line is ranked totally wrong. It should be Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, and then Pietrangelo in that order. Petro turns 35 this year and only had 33 points in 64 games last year. I don’t think the powerplay time will be there and you’re probably getting anywhere between 40-50 points. It’s not a bad price but not a ton of value either.

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