Defensemen can be some of the most valuable players on a fantasy roster, but finding the right ones can be difficult. The elite offensive defensemen can provide a huge advantage, while the right mid-round pick can become one of the best values in your draft.
These are The Add List’s Top 100 NHL Fantasy Defensemen Rankings for 2026/27.
The rankings consider projected offensive production, role, opportunity, power-play usage and overall fantasy upside. The Projection Tier represents the projected point range for each defenseman.
Elite Fantasy Defensemen
1. Quinn Hughes — MIN | D | 90-99 PTS
Hughes remains one of the premier offensive defensemen in fantasy hockey. His ability to drive offense, contribute on the power play and pile up assists gives him an extremely high fantasy ceiling.
2. Cale Makar — COL | D | 90-99 PTS
Makar is one of the safest elite offensive defensemen to build around. His combination of scoring, power-play production and overall offensive involvement makes him a perennial fantasy difference-maker.
3. Evan Bouchard — EDM | D | 80-89 PTS
Bouchard’s offensive game and power-play role give him tremendous fantasy value. Playing alongside Edmonton’s elite forwards creates plenty of opportunities for points.
4. Zach Werenski — CLB | D | 80-89 PTS
Werenski has developed into a major offensive contributor from the blue line. His minutes, puck-moving ability and power-play usage keep him firmly in the upper tier.
5. Lane Hutson — MON | D | 80-89 PTS
Hutson brings tremendous offensive upside and the ability to generate points in multiple ways. His skill with the puck makes him one of the most intriguing fantasy defensemen in the league.
6. Rasmus Dahlin — BUF | D | 80-89 PTS
Dahlin continues to provide the combination of minutes, offense and all-around involvement fantasy managers want from a No. 1 defenseman.
7. Matthew Schaefer — NYI | D | 70-79 PTS
Schaefer brings significant offensive upside and has the skill set to make an immediate fantasy impact. His long-term ceiling is particularly intriguing.
8. Adam Fox — NYR | D | 70-79 PTS
Fox’s ability to quarterback the power play and consistently create offense keeps him among the more reliable fantasy defensemen.
9. Erik Karlsson — PIT | D | 60-69 PTS
Karlsson remains a high-upside offensive defenseman. His fantasy value is driven heavily by his ability to generate points from the back end.
10. Shayne Gostisbehere — CAR | D | 60-69 PTS
Gostisbehere has long been a productive offensive defenseman, particularly when given significant power-play opportunities.
11. Shea Theodore — LV | D | 60-69 PTS
Theodore provides a strong combination of offensive ability and opportunity. His puck-moving game gives him plenty of fantasy appeal.
12. Roman Josi — NSH | D | 60-69 PTS
Josi remains one of the most proven offensive defensemen in fantasy hockey. Even later in his career, his offensive role makes him a valuable target.
13. Jackson Lacombe — ANA | D | 60-69 PTS
Lacombe has the offensive tools to become an increasingly important fantasy contributor from the blue line.
14. Miro Heiskanen — DAL | D | 60-69 PTS
Heiskanen’s combination of heavy minutes and offensive ability gives him a strong fantasy floor with additional upside.
15. Jake Sanderson — OTT | D | 60-69 PTS
Sanderson continues to develop into a major all-around defenseman. His offensive game and opportunity make him an appealing fantasy option.
16. Mikhail Sergachev — UTA | D | 60-69 PTS
Sergachev brings experience, offensive ability and significant minutes. His role gives him the opportunity to remain a productive fantasy defenseman.
17. Josh Morrissey — WPG | D | 60-69 PTS
Morrissey’s offensive game has made him one of the more valuable fantasy defensemen in Winnipeg. His ability to contribute assists and power-play points remains important.
18. Cole Hutson — WAS | D | 60-69 PTS
Hutson offers considerable offensive upside and is an intriguing fantasy option because of his ability to generate offense from the back end.
19. Darren Raddysh — TOR | D | 60-69 PTS
Raddysh has shown an ability to contribute offensively when given the opportunity. His fantasy appeal comes from the potential for increased offensive responsibility.
20. John Carlson — TB | D | 50-59 PTS
Carlson’s experience and offensive game keep him relevant in fantasy formats. His ability to contribute from the blue line gives him value even as his career moves forward.
Strong Fantasy Defensemen
21. Charlie McAvoy — BOS | D | 50-59 PTS
22. Jakob Chychrun — WAS | D | 50-59 PTS
23. Brandt Clarke — LA | D | 50-59 PTS
24. Luke Hughes — NJ | D | 50-59 PTS
25. Moritz Seider — DET | D | 50-59 PTS
26. Victor Hedman — TB | D | 50-59 PTS
27. Seth Jones — FLA | D | 50-59 PTS
28. Noah Dobson — MON | D | 50-59 PTS
29. Vince Dunn — SEA | D | 40-49 PTS
30. Mackenzie Weegar — UTA | D | 40-49 PTS
31. Brock Faber — MIN | D | 40-49 PTS
32. Thomas Harley — DAL | D | 40-49 PTS
33. Thomas Chabot — OTT | D | 40-49 PTS
34. Filip Hronek — VAN | D | 40-49 PTS
35. Dougie Hamilton — NJ | D | 40-49 PTS
36. K’Andre Miller — CAR | D | 40-49 PTS
37. Devon Toews — COL | D | 40-49 PTS
38. Brandon Montour — SEA | D | 40-49 PTS
39. Mattias Ekholm — EDM | D | 40-49 PTS
Draftable Fantasy Defensemen
40. Travis Sanheim — PHI | D | <40 PTS
41. Sam Malinski — COL | D | <40 PTS
42. Rasmus Andersson — CGY | D | <40 PTS
43. Mike Matheson — MON | D | <40 PTS
44. Jake Walman — EDM | D | <40 PTS
45. Justin Faulk — DET | D | <40 PTS
46. Sean Walker — CAR | D | <40 PTS
47. Mattias Samuelsson — BUF | D | <40 PTS
48. Ryan Ufko — NSH | D | 50-59 PTS
49. Morgan Rielly — TOR | D | 40-49 PTS
50. Carter Yakemchuk — OTT | D | 40-49 PTS
51. Kris Letang — PIT | D | 40-49 PTS
52. Cam Fowler — STL | D | 40-49 PTS
53. Oliver Ekman-Larsson — TOR | D | 40-49 PTS
54. Tony DeAngelo — NYI | D | 40-49 PTS
55. Noah Hanifin — LV | D | 40-49 PTS
56. Brent Burns — COL | D | <40 PTS
57. Tristan Luneau — ANA | D | <40 PTS
58. Louis Crevier — BUF | D | <40 PTS
59. Aaron Ekblad — FLA | D | <40 PTS
60. Damon Severson — CLB | D | <40 PTS
61. Charle-Edward D’Astous — TB | D | <40 PTS
62. Jamie Drysdale — PHI | D | <40 PTS
63. Olen Zellweger — BUF | D | <40 PTS
64. Ivan Provorov — CLB | D | <40 PTS
65. Gustav Forsling — FLA | D | <40 PTS
66. Simon Edvinsson — DET | D | <40 PTS
67. John Marino — UTA | D | <40 PTS
68. Sean Durzi — NYR | D | <40 PTS
69. Nikita Zadorov — BOS | D | <40 PTS
70. Josh Manson — COL | D | <40 PTS
71. Denton Mateychuk — CLB | D | <40 PTS
72. Kaiden Guhle — MON | D | <40 PTS
73. Alexander Nikishin — CAR | D | <40 PTS
74. Brady Skjei — NSH | D | <40 PTS
75. Philip Broberg — STL | D | <40 PTS
76. Drew Doughty — LA | D | <40 PTS
77. Hampus Lindholm — BOS | D | <40 PTS
78. Owen Power — BUF | D | <40 PTS
79. Ryan McDonagh — TB | D | <40 PTS
80. Connor Murphy — EDM | D | <40 PTS
81. Vladislav Gavrikov — NYR | D | <40 PTS
82. Dmitry Orlov — SJ | D | <40 PTS
83. Mason Lohrei — BOS | D | <40 PTS
84. Cam York — PHI | D | <40 PTS
85. Artyom Levshunov — CHI | D | <40 PTS
86. Shakir Mukhamadullin — EDM | D | <40 PTS
87. Timothy Liljegren — WAS | D | <40 PTS
88. Pavel Mintyukov — ANA | D | <40 PTS
89. Zeev Buium — VAN | D | <40 PTS
90. Jonas Brodin — MIN | D | <40 PTS
91. Artem Zub — OTT | D | <40 PTS
92. Oliver Bonk — PHI | D | <40 PTS
93. Zayne Parekh — CGY | D | <40 PTS
94. Radim Mrtka — BUF | D | <40 PTS
95. Stian Solberg — ANA | D | <40 PTS
96. Ryan Shea — EDM | D | <40 PTS
97. Martin Fehervary — WAS | D | <40 PTS
98. Radko Gudas — FLA | D | <40 PTS
99. Janis Moser — TB | D | <40 PTS
100. Jordan Spence — OTT | D | <40 PTS
Final Thoughts
The blue line is becoming increasingly important in fantasy hockey, with more defensemen capable of producing significant offensive numbers. The elite tier can provide a major advantage, but there are also plenty of potential values throughout the middle and late rounds.
As always, rankings can change as training camps, line combinations, power-play roles and injuries provide more information heading into the 2026/27 season.