While the stategy may not be shared among all fantasy hockey owners, I am of the firm belief that a strong defense core (fantasy-style) can be a key ingredient to winning championships.
Putting together a top-4 defense can be costly in terms of drafting dmen too early or sacrificing offense in order to focus on the back-end. This does not have to be the case, and stockpiling young defensemen early can pay huge dividends later on.
Many fantasy hockey owners neglect the position to an extent. Often we'll see a team with one or two great players, but after that the talent drops off.
In one keeper league I am in, my top-4 are Mike Green, Erik Johnson, Erik Karlsson, and Victor Hedman. In my opinion this is a group that can eventually average over 50-points per season and maybe push 60. All four have huge talent and are either producing now (Green) or very close (the rest).
This foursome took me over a year to put together. I drafted EJ and acquired the rest through trades. As insurance I have Kris Letang and Philip Larsen providing depth. The group is young, but this is a dynasty league and I can afford to wait.
If you are looking to overhaul your defense one good strategy might be to acquire a top-10 defenseman to build around and then begin to plug holes through shrewd drafting or waiver wire pickups. You will miss on some and hit on others, but a savvy GM will stay diligent to his plan even if it takes a few years.
With that, here are some young defensemen worth targeting in dynasty leagues - players you probably won't have to sacrifice the farm to acquire and might pan out long-term. The payoff on these players should be more than what you pay for them; a classic buy-low scenario.
Philip Larsen (DAL): Larsen is currently ranked #50 on our Top-65 Prospects list. He's a defenseman who is really flying under the radar right now but he has the potential to be a powerplay quarterback. He came to North America after his SEL season ended last year and had a cup of coffee with the Stars. Dallas has high hopes for Larsen and his future in the NHL may start as soon as 2010-11.
Jamie McBain (CAR): The ship on McBain may have sailed as he was called up to Carolina late last year and played like a seasoned vet. We had him listed as our 50th best prospect last year (he's 16th this year) so if you were paying attention you might already have him on your roster. Regardless, he's worth a gamble. McBain plays well at both ends which means there is a very good opportunity to develop into a #1 defenseman. If you can get him for a mid-level forward prospect or established depth player, I'd pull the trigger.
Kevin Shattenkirk (COL): The intrigue for Shattenkirk may fall partly in the fact that he will likely have an opportunity to play a major role for the young Avalanche in 2010-11. While not considered a pure offensive player, Shattenkirk is in a category much like McBain in the sense that he's a solid two-way defenseman who can also play the powerplay. His leadership skills are well documented and when you add it all up you can see why he's on this list.
Jonathan Blum (NAS): With the departure of Dan Hamhuis, there appears to be some holes to fill on the blueline in Nashville. Blum, who was just 155 lbs when he was drafted by the Preds in 2007, has bulked up to 194 lbs and appears poised to make the jump the the NHL. Blum is a natural offensive defenseman with smooth skating abilities and excels at rushing the puck up the ice. He had 41 points in 80 games in his rookie season in the AHL in 2009-10 and has the future of an NHL power-play quarterback.
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Ben - I would say that right now the biggest difference is opportunity. Niskanen has not developed offensively as the Stars had hoped and Stars management cited the reason they felt Vishnevskiy was expendable (they used him in the deal to acquire Kari Lehtonen) was because of the development of Larsen.
As we know, Vishnevskiy is now in Chicago. It's highly unlikely that either he or Niskanen are running a PP in the NHL anytime soon.
As we have seen many times in the NHL, opportunity is much of the battle. If Larsen gets the chance, and Stars management believes he will, he has the talent to be a PP quarterback which makes him a solid buy-low candidate and perhaps a golden one considering he is still somewhat unknown to many fantasy league owners.
Personally I look at the high praise given to Larsen from Stars management to consider him a solid investment, especially this summer when he can be had for so little.
Agreed on the opportunity Larsen will be given, but to continue playing devil's advocate, there hasn't been a single news release from development camps that hasn't been positive for their key prospects...
What it comes down to with this kid is that he does carry a lower buying pice for such a high-ceiling guy... In that you are right!!
good article, d-men usually don't get enough credit in fantasy hockey. when you look at the numbers, a 40 point d-man is worth a 75 point forward. Dynasty leagues are probably the most important for getting young d talent. Any other league try and get a top guy and build around him. Picking up 50 point forwards are a dime a dozen, but if you wait too long on D your stuck with 25 point rozivals, underachievers like redden, or should have beens like Mezeros.
Looking like Larson will get a chance as dallas still hasn't addressed their needs for a pp qb, right now it is Robidas, which is a role he is not suited for, although he did pretty good when you look at the numbers...Niskanen has got to do better or get shown the door.
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