Fantasy Corner: Defensemen 41-80

41. Drew Doughty, LAK (Age: 19)
’08-’09 Stats: 81 GP, 6 G, 21 A, 27 PTS, -17, 56 PIM
3-Year Average: 81 GP, 6 G, 21 A, 27 PTS, -17, 56 PIM*
Note: Doughty has major upside, as he is one of the best young defenders in the game. He has 45-50 point potential and should be the first Kings d-man taken in fantasy drafts.

42. Ryan Whitney, ANA (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 48 GP, 2 G, 21 A, 23 PTS, -14, 28 PIM
3-Year Average: 68 GP, 9 G, 31 A, 40 PTS, -2, 50 PIM
Note: Whitney failed to score a regular season goal after being traded to the Ducks at the trade deadline, but he did record 10 assists in 20 games played. He will be a mainstay on the Ducks’ first power play unit with Pronger out of the fold.

43. Francois Beauchemin, TOR (Age: 29)
’08-’09 Stats: 20 GP, 4 G, 1 A, 5 PTS, -3, 12 PIM
3-Year Average: 58 GP, 4 G, 14 A, 18 PTS, -2, 40 PIM
Note: Beauchemin should factor in on the power play in Toronto, something that didn’t happen in Anaheim with Pronger and Niedermayer ahead of him. He could be a fantasy steal and tally between 35 and 40 points.

44. Brent Burns, MIN (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 59 GP, 8 G, 19 A, 27 PTS, -7, 45 PIM
3-Year Average: 73 GP, 10 G, 22 A, 32 PTS, +7, 50 PIM
Note: Expect Burns to post similar numbers in ’09-’10 to the ones he put up in ’07-’08 (82 GP, 43 PTS).

45. Keith Ballard, FLA (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 6 G, 28 A, 34 PTS, +14, 72 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 6 G, 22 A, 28 PTS, +5, 72 PIM
Note: Ballad ranked 2nd on the Panthers in plus-minus and PIM last season. He will step in on the first power play unit with the departure of Bouwmeester.

46. Matt Niskanen, DAL (Age: 22)
’08-’09 Stats: 80 GP, 6 G, 29 A, 35 PTS, -11, 52 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 7 G, 24 A, 31 PTS, +6, 44 PIM**
Note: Niskanen is still very young and has good upside. Expect 35-40 points from him at most in ’09-’10, though.

47. Kyle Quincey, COL (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 72 GP, 4 G, 34 A, 38 PTS, -5, 63 PIM
3-Year Average: 72 GP, 4 G, 34 A, 38 PTS, -5, 63 PIM*
Note: Quincey was impressive in ’08-’09, his first full NHL season. He racked up 27 points on the man-advantage (2 G, 25 A), and figures to put more pucks in the net this season.

48. Victor Hedman, TBL (Age: 18)
’08-’09 Stats: N/A
3-Year Average: N/A
Note: The 2nd overall pick in this year’s draft should step in and contribute right away for the Lightning. Expect 30-35 points from him in ’09-’10.

49. Chris Campoli, OTT (Age: 25)
’08-’09 Stats: 76 GP, 11 G, 19 A, 30 PTS, -16, 55 PIM
3-Year Average: 58 GP, 5 G, 15 A, 20 PTS, -7, 31 PIM
Note: Campoli performed well with the Senators after being traded from the Islanders at the trade deadline (25 GP, 13 PTS). He should see more time on the power play this season.

50. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJS (Age: 22)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 6 G, 30 A, 36 PTS, +15, 42 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 4 G, 22 A, 26 PTS, +5, 28 PIM
Note: Vlasic had the best season of his young career in ’08-’09. He tallied 21 points on the power play (3 G, 18 A), and ranked 5th on the Sharks with a +15 rating.

51. James Wisniewski, ANA (Age: 25)
’08-’09 Stats: 48 GP, 3 G, 21 A, 24 PTS, +9, 30 PIM
3-Year Average: 55 GP, 4 G, 16 A, 20 PTS, +8, 57 PIM
Note: Wisniewski played well after being shipped to the Ducks at the trade deadline (17 GP, 11 PTS). Expect 30-35 points from him in ’09-‘10.

52. Fedor Tyutin, CBJ (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 9 G, 25 A, 34 PTS, +1, 81 PIM
3-Year Average: 77 GP, 5 G, 17 A, 2 PTS, -1, 56 PIM
Note: Tyutin put up the best numbers of his career in his first season as a Blue Jacket. He should top 30 points once again this year.

53. Joni Pitkanen, CAR (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 71 GP, 7 G, 26 A, 33 PTS, +11, 58 PIM
3-Year Average: 70 GP, 6 G, 28 A, 34 PTS, -6, 67 PIM
Note: Pitkanen emerged as one of Carolina’s more dependable down the stretch and in the playoffs last season. His ceiling isn’t much higher than 35-40 points, though.

54. Mattias Ohlund, TBL (Age: 33)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 6 G, 19 A, 25 PTS, +14, 105 PIM
3-Year Average: 71 GP, 9 G, 18 A, 27 PTS, +3, 88 PIM
Note: Ohlund broke the century mark in PIM for the first time in his career in ’08-’09. Look for him record 30-35 points in his first season with the Bolts.

55. Ron Hainsey, ATL (Age: 28)
’08-’09 Stats: 81 GP, 6 G, 33 A, 39 PTS, -16, 32 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 8 G, 27 A, 35 PTS, -14, 42 PIM
Note: Hainsey has been fairly consistent, recording at least 6 goals and 25 assists in each of the past three seasons.

56. Adrian Aucoin, PHX (Age: 36)
’08-‘09 Stats: 81 GP, 10 G, 24 A, 34 PTS, -8, 46 PIM
3-Year Average: 72 GP, 8 G, 20 A, 28 PTS, -6, 44] PIM
Note: Aucoin’ numbers should take a hit in ’09-'10, as he won’t have the same kind of talent to work with in the desert that he had in Calgary.

57. Roman Hamrlik, MTL (Age: 35)
’08-’09 Stats: 81 GP, 6 G, 27 A, 33 PTS, +4, 62 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 6 G, 26 A, 32 PTS, +11, 63 PIM
Note: Hamrlik recorded 30 points for the 10th time in his career in ’08-’09. He's on the downside of his career, and now has a lot of company on Montreal's blue line.

58. Paul Martin, NJD (Age: 28)
’08-’09 Stats: 73 GP, 5 G, 28 A, 33 PTS, +21, 36 PIM
3-Year Average: 76 GP, 4 G, 26 A, 30 PTS, +11, 25 PIM
Note: Martin is a safe fantasy choice, as he has recorded at least 32 points in 3 of the past 4 seasons. He has a +41 rating over the past two seasons, too.

59. Tobias Enstrom, ATL (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 5 G, 27 A, 32 PTS, +14, 52 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 5 G, 30 A, 35 PTS, +5, 48 PIM
Note: Enstrom led Atlanta with a +14 rating in ’08-’09. He really came on at the end of the season (22 GP, 20 PTS), but the Thrashers’ addition of Kubina could hinder his fantasy performance.

60. Kris Russell, CBJ (Age: 22)
’08-’09 Stats: 66 GP, 2 G, 19 A, 21 PTS, -10, 28 PIM
3-Year Average: 67 GP, 2 G, 14 A, 16 PTS, -11, 21 PIM**
Note: Russell could be in for a breakout year in ’09-’10. He should see more time on the power play and has 35-point potential.

61. Michal Rozsival, NYR (Age: 31)
’08-’09 Stats: 76 GP, 8 G, 22 A, 30 PTS, -7, 52 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 10 G, 26 A, 36 PTS, +1, 61 PIM
Note: Rozsival may be on the decline a bit, but he did record 30 points for the 4th straight season in ’08-’09.

62. Matt Hunwick, BOS (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 53 GP, 6 G, 21 A, 27 PTS, +15, 31 PIM
3-Year Average: 53 GP, 6 G, 21 A, 27 PTS, +15, 31 PIM*
Note: Hunwick impressed in his first season with the Bruins. He should top 30 points in his sophomore campaign, and could be a sleeper if he sees time on the power play.

63. Carlo Colaiacovo, STL (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 73 GP, 3 G, 27 A, 30 PTS, +0, 35 PIM
3-Year Average: 50 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 7 PTS, +0, 22 PIM
Note: Colaiacovo saw significant time on the man advantage for the first time in his career with the Blues in ’08-’09. He tallied 19 power play assists a year ago.

64. Alex Goligoski, PIT (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 45 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS, +5, 16 PIM
3-Year Average: 45 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS, +5, 16 PIM*
Note: Goligoski filled in well for the injured Sergei Gonchar in ’08-’09. With the departures of Scuderi and Gill, Goligoski will be a full time starter with 30-35 point potential.

65. Andrej Meszaros, TBL (Age: 23)
’08-’09 Stats: 52 GP, 2 G, 14 A, 16 PTS, -4, 36 PIM
3-Year Average: 72 GP, 6 G, 23 A, 29 PTS, -5, 63 PIM
Note: Meszaros should be featured on the power play more in his second season in Tampa Bay. Expect 30-35 points from him in ’09-’10.

66. Keith Yandle, PHX (Age: 23)
’08-’09 Stats: 69 GP, 4 G, 26 A, 30 PTS, -4, 37 PIM
3-Year Average: 56 GP, 5 G, 17 A, 22 PTS, -8, 26 PIM
Note: Yandle faded somewhat down the stretch in ’08-’09 (18 GP, 4 PTS). The ‘Yotes’ addition of Aucoin will mean less time on the power play for Yandle in ’09-’10 (13 PPP in ’08-’09).

67. Braydon Coburn, PHI (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 80 GP, 7 G, 21 A, 28 PTS, +7, 97 PIM
3-Year Average: 69 GP, 6 G, 19 A, 25 PTS, +8, 72 PIM
Note: Coburn’s PIM have increased by at least 20 in each of the past two seasons, a natural progression when you are groomed to play in Philly.

68. Johnny Oduya, NJD (Age: 28)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 22 A, 29 PTS, +21, 30 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 5 G, 17 A, 22 PTS, +14, 46 PIM
Note: Oduya carries a +48 rating over the past two seasons and has a good shot to top 30 points for the first time in his career.

69. Brent Seabrook, CHI (Age: 24)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 8 G, 18 A, 26 PTS, +23, 62 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 7 G, 20 A, 7 PTS, +10, 85 PIM
Note: You know what you’re getting with Seabrook. He has only missed one game over the past three seasons, which is rare for a defenseman, and is always around the 30-point mark.

70. Wade Redden, NYR (Age: 32)
’08-’09 Stats: 81 GP, 3 G, 23 A, 26 PTS, -5, 51 PIM
3-Year Average: 75 GP, 5 G, 28 A, 33 PTS, +2, 54 PIM
Note: Redden was a big disappointment in his first season in New York. He failed to record at least 34 points for the first time since ’98-’99.

71. Steve Montador, BUF (Age: 29)
’08-’09 Stats: 78 GP, 4 G, 17 A, 21 PTS, +17, 143 PIM
3-Year Average: 74 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 17 PTS, +6, 112 PIM
Note: Montador ranked 2nd amongst defensemen in ’08-’09 with 143 PIM.

72. Anton Babchuk, CAR (Age: 25)
’08-‘09 Stats: 72 GP, 16 G, 19 A, 35 PTS, +13, 16 PIM
3-Year Average: 41 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 16 PTS, +2, 17 PIM
Note: Babchuk really came on down the stretch for the ‘Canes (26 GP, 23 PTS) in ’08-’09, but he may not figure into their plans as much this season with the additions of Aaron Ward and Andrew Alberts. He could be a sleeper if someone gets hurt, though.

73. Craig Rivet, BUF (Age: 35)
’08-’09 Stats: 64 GP, 2 G, 22 A, 24 PTS, +4, 125 PIM
3-Year Average: 70 GP, 5 G, 23 A, 28 PTS, +3, 99 PIM
Note: Rivet racked up a career-high 125 PIM in ’08-’09, his first season with Buffalo.

74. Mike Commodore, CBJ (Age: 29)
’08-’09 Stats: 81 GP, 5 G, 19 A, 24 PTS, +11, 100 PIM
3-Year Average: 43 GP, 4 G, 11 A, 15 PTS, +7, 16 PIM
Note: Commodore has recorded at least 100 PIM in each season since the lockout. He was one of eight defensemen to record 20 points and 100 PIM in ’08-’09.

75. Trevor Daley, DAL (Age: 25)
’08-’09 Stats: 75 GP, 7 G, 18 A, 25 PTS, +2, 73 PIM
3-Year Average: 77 GP, 5 G, 15 A, 20 PTS, +1, 74 PIM
Note: Daley is a decent late round option in deeper leagues. He should record around 25 points and 75 PIM again in ’08-’09.

76. Sami Salo, VAN (Age: 35)
’08-’09 Stats: 60 GP, 5 G, 20 A, 25 PTS, +5, 26 PIM
3-Year Average: 63 GP, 9 G, 20 A, 29 PTS, +9, 30 PIM
Note: Salo has missed significant time due to injury in each of the past 4 seasons. He has 40 point potential if he stays healthy for a whole season, though.

77. Dan Hamhuis (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 82 GP, 3 G, 23 A, 26 PTS, -4, 67 PIM
3-Year Average: 81 GP, 4 G, 20 A, 24 PTS, +0, 66 PIM
Note: Hamhuis has little upside but is a safe pick in deeper leagues. He has only missed 5 games in his 5 year career and has recorded at least 57 PIM in each of those 5 seasons.

78. Brian Pothier, WSH (Age: 32)
’08-’09 Stats: 9 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PTS, +0, 4 PIM
3-Year Average: 40 GP, 3 G, 12 A, 15 PTS, -2, 23 PIM
Note: I would shy away from drafting Pothier, as he has only played in 48 games over the past two seasons. He could be a nice free agent pickup as the season goes along, though (if he stays healthy).

79. Matt Carle, PHI (Age: 25)
’08-’09 Stats: 76 GP, 5 G, 21 A, 26 PTS, +3, 22 PIM
3-Year Average: 72 GP, 6 G, 22 A, 28 PTS, +2, 26 PIM
Note: Carle isn’t a great fantasy option in Philadelphia. His ceiling isn’t much higher than 30 points and he doesn’t get many PIM or power play points.

80. Mark Giordano, CGY (Age: 26)
’08-’09 Stats: 58 GP, 2 G, 17 A, 19 PTS, +2, 59 PIM
3-Year Average: 53 GP, 5 G, 13 A, 18 PTS, +5, 48 PIM
Note: Giordano may be a nice sleeper pick, as he could have a breakout year in ’09-’10.

10 Young Defensemen to Keep An Eye On:
Alex Pietrangelo, STL (Age: 19)
Alexander Sulzer, NSH (Age: 25)
Brian Lee, OTT (Age: 22)
Chris Butler, BUF (Age: 22)
Cody Franson, NSH (Age: 22)
Luca Sbisa, ANA (Age: 19)
Jonathan Ericsson, DET (Age: 25)
Karl Alzner, WSH (Age: 21)
P.K. Subban, MTL (Age: 20)
Yannick Weber, MTL (Age: 21)