Defensemen
Logan Hensler
Mobile rush defender with the ability (though not always the inclination) to move the puck with his feet
Case McCarthy
McCarthy plays defense pretty well and shows little offensive upside. Do not expect much going forward.
Victor Johansson
January 2025 - Johansson has taken on 20 lbs since being drafted by the Leafs in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. Don't let that growth fool you, Johansson is still somewhat undersized at 165lbs, although it's a positive step forward. He's shown improvements at both sides of the ice, now more engaged overall. [...]
Artyom Barabosha
Big-bodied, physical right-handed defenseman with bottom-pair, penalty-killing upside.
Emil Pieniniemi
January 2025 - The Penguins 2023 third round selection – 91st overall at the time of his draft was widely viewed as a big, mobile defensive defenseman. After his draft he played the bulk of his D+1 season in the Liiga playing big minutes with Karpat but only produced six points in 38 games. [...]
Zach Schulz
A shut-down defenseman who thrives through his positional play and managing his gaps on the rush. Skates very well and makes the smart, easy plays first. His play does not excite the casual viewer but impacts games in ways that do not shine as brightly on the score sheet. He will not score 50 points in a season, but he is a tight-checking player who can offer minimal value in deeper category leagues, including hits and/or blocks.
Aleksi Malinen
Mobile skater who can accelerate quickly in any direction, and has some playmaking potential. However, a lack of production in Finland so far tilts a projection toward a bottom-pairing blueliner with sneaky upside. A long-term project.
Robin Salo
Good two-way defenseman with offensive upside.
Radim Mrtka
Two-way defenceman with strong skating for his size
Jackson Smith
Slippery, smooth skating, and creative defenceman