Defensemen
Simon Nemec
Strong two-way defender who controls the ice in all three zones. Has the potential to grow into a top pairing defenseman at the NHL level.
Ville Heinola
An offense-minded defenseman with top-four upside who can run a powerplay unit. An excellent skater but needs to get stronger to improve in the defensive zone. Undersized, which limits his ability to play a physical game. Provides very little in the hits and blocks categories.
Roman Shokhrin
A hyper-aggressive shutdown defenseman who has flashes of offensive upside and puck-handling ability.
Daniil Karpovich
Bottom-four, two-way defenseman with size, mobility, and underrated offensive tools. Strong shot and flashes of a strong first pass. Will have most of his value in category leagues that value hits and PIM.
Topias Vilén
Sturdy defensive defenseman with issues on the passing side. Strong but under-utilized shot, great anticipation and stick-checking off the rush. Likely a bottom-pair or depth defenseman, but could add tools to his game in the next few years.
Anton Silayev
Silayev is a hulking but mobile defenseman who covers a ton of ice with powerful strides and a long reach; while his passing game is a strength, his composure under pressure needs work.
Seamus Casey
Extremely mobile two-way defender who excels as a distributor. Needs to add size and strength to his frame but has all the tools required to become a modern-day puck-moving defenseman at the NHL level.
Sean Behrens
A mobile defenseman with good skating skills and an adequate two-way game
Brent Johnson
Johnson may wind up being a more valuable player in real life than fantasy but should provide some points-only value as well, but it will take time
John Ludvig
Old-school defensive defenseman who can take care of his own zone. Upside for leagues that include shot blocked, hits and PIMs.