Sport: NHL

Defensemen aren’t too easy to find this week, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t able to scrounge up the best available options to stream. These three d-men have stepped up over the past two weeks and should provide good value if you’re looking for defensive help.

More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | Goalie Streamers | Buy-Low, Sell-High | NHL Schedule Preview | Fantasy Hockey Cold List | Prospect Report | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 9
Nick Blankenburg, Nashville Predators

Nick Blankenburg has only played 15 games this season, but has four goals and 11 points. He has absolutely proven that he deserves not only to stay in the NHL, but keep his more important role on the team. The Nashville Predators aren’t technically out of it, but he is producing more than anyone thought he would.

Blankenburg has three goals and five points in his last four games, producing in each of the games and recording three of his points on the power play. He may be on the second unit, but that hasn’t stopped him or the unit. He is shooting, hitting, and blocking shots, proving solid all-around value. The Predators play the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes to close out the week.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs

Oliver Ekman-Larsson continues to consistently produce points throughout the season, with points in nine straight games and 12 of his past 13. Unfortunately, most of his points aren’t on the power play, which is worse for fantasy hockey, but impressive that he is able to put up points without a bigger opportunity.

On his nine-game points streak, Ekman-Larsson has three goals and 10 points, but he adds penalty minutes, shots, hits, and blocked shots. He and Morgan Rielly are playing a lot, considering the team’s defensive injuries. The Maple Leafs match up against the Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens to close out Week 9.

Dmitry Orlov, San Jose Sharks

Dmitry Orlov has proven himself to be the top defenseman on the San Jose Sharks, even if he doesn’t always get top power-play time. When John Klingberg was injured, Orlov feasted and was a great defenseman to have on your roster. Now, even without the regular time on the top unit, he plays the most and does the most overall on a team that can score.

Orlov has assists in back-to-back games and three in the past five. Two of those points have come on the power play, and like the other two discussed above, the veteran gets penalties, shoots, hits, and blocks shots consistently. The difference is, San Jose plays three more times this week against the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, and Hurricanes.

Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 9 Forward Streamers

If you need a defenseman, which is why you’re probably here, don’t hesitate to grab one as quickly as you can as the options are thin this week. And if Darren Raddysh returns, he should be your top choice to stream if he’s available.

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