Defensemen
Daniil Pylenkov
A physical defenseman who is solid on his end, a good puck mover, and has some offensive upside. He must move to North America from the KHL to get on the fantasy radar.
Hunter Brzustewicz
A mobile and intelligent defender who moves the puck efficiently. He excels at transitioning the puck and finding open teammates for long passes. However, consistency is a concern.
Jérémie Poirier
Skilled, puck moving defender who skates well with the puck. His hockey IQ makes him dangerous in the offensive zone and effective in the defensive zone. Poirier does an excellent job seeing the ice and being proactive in the play.
Topi Niemelä
Very reliable and smart two-way defenseman who will join the rush and get involved offensively. Reliable defensively already at young age which bodes well for his NHL future.
Maxim Štrbák
Simple, smooth-skating defensive defenseman with smart positioning and solid scanning habits. Will likely become a bottom-pair shutdown specialist, but could improve his way to a second-pair role.
Nikita Novikov
A steady, quiet two-way defender. Plays a cautious defensive game with few offensive assertions. Sometimes is slow to react to developing plays.
Luke Osburn
A fluid, composed, highly intelligent defenseman with a great aptitude for making things happen in motion.
Kirill Kirsanov
Cerebral defensive defenceman who is responsible in his own end and has a good stick. Can distribute the puck, indicating moderate offensive upside.
Tyler Kleven
A big, mobile blueliner who likes to throw the big hit. Needs to work on his puck skills but the size and skating package is intriguing.
Carson Lambos
A potential minute-eating two-way defender at the NHL level. An intriguing combination of speed, strength, and skill on the backend with top-pair upside.