It is slim pickings once again for defensemen to stream in fantasy hockey, but there are always some potentially sneaky adds that will boost you for the week. With three days of games to close out the week, the best outcome is to target players who at least play twice. So let’s dive into some streaming options.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 12
Connor Murphy, Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Murphy has been playing solid hockey this season for the Chicago Blackhawks and now the team is starting to win some more games and score more goals. This has benefited the veteran defenseman as he now has one goal and three points in the last five games. It isn’t anything special offensively, but combine that with what he does in his own end and he is a strong addition in a league where more than just points count towards your success.
Murphy has 21 hits in his last six games and 26 blocked shots in his last eight games. He has also been averaging around two shots per game recently. Even with Seth Jones back, Murphy’s ice time is still pretty high and he plays on the top penalty-killing unit. The Blackhawks battle the Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars to close out the week and avoid the back-to-back so there shouldn’t be much fatigue.
Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens
It’s hard to deny just how dynamic Lane Hutson has been offensively. Defensive issues aside since they don’t impact fantasy hockey too much, he is a good stream if you are in need of stats in certain areas. If points/assists are what you’re seeking, Hutson is an absolute must-add. It helps that the Montreal Canadiens are doing better and Patrik Laine is scoring on the power play so much so that Hutson can rack up those assists.
Hutson has 26 points in 34 games as a rookie defenseman and has recorded at least a point in 12 of his past 13 games for two goals and 15 points. Seven of those points have come on the power play. While he doesn’t hit very often and doesn’t shoot as much as he could or should, he is still good at blocking shots. The Canadiens face the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning to close out the fantasy week.
Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres
Owen Power is another young defenseman quietly doing well this season. He has five goals and 22 points in 35 games while three points have come in the past four games and seven in the past 10. The Buffalo Sabres have been struggling in a major way, but it hasn’t stopped the former first-overall pick from playing his game and helping the team each night.
Power is on the second pairing, second power-play unit, and second penalty-killing unit, so playing in all situations does benefit him overall. His shooting and blocking is serviceable and while he’s not an amazing streaming option, he is a solid one that should be able to help, especially considering the Sabres just broke their losing streak and will have some momentum coming out of the break. Buffalo plays the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, so these are two favourable matchups as well.
Related: Week 12 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Streams
These three defensemen are purely streaming options if you need a hole to fill coming out of the three day break. Unless it is a deep league or you are hurting for options on the back end these players are decent, but not good enough in fantasy hockey to warrant a full-time roster spot. If you are in need of more options next week to follow up one of these additions, make sure to come on back.