Defensemen who will make a difference in fantasy hockey are never that easy to find on the waiver wire, so you have to try different options and most of the time go with the hot hand. That’s what we have here for you today, players who have been doing well lately and can boost you to a better week.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 9
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
Aaron Ekblad didn’t start the season out great offensively and his points were few and far between. That has completely turned around as he has points in six of his last eight games and is consistently playing over 25 minutes per night. In those last eight games before the matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he recorded one goal and seven points, two of which came on the power play.
The Panthers play two weaker opponents in the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks and should continue to score. With Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson having left in free agency, Ekblad has been inserted back into the role of number one defenseman in every regard and should be a player you have on your team, especially with the offense he is now chipping in on.
Alex Vlasic, Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have not been great offensively this season, but they have improved from last season. Recently there have been signs that the offense is going to pick up and Alex Vlasic is now the number one defensive option for getting points on the back end with Seth Jones out. Vlasic is a solid option this week and until Jones is back as he is logging a ton of minutes and on the top power-play unit in the meantime.
Vlasic is up to 10 points on the season and five of his last six points have come on the power play. He has consistently been getting at least a shot, block, and most of the time, hits each game, even if they aren’t high totals. It’s tough to come by defensemen who are playing on top power-play unit on the waiver wire, so Vlasic can be that option for you. The Blackhawks still play the Boston Bruins and Winnipeg Jets to close out Week 9.
Timothy Liljegren, San Jose Sharks
If you’re in a deep league or looking for a defenseman to stream that is even further off the regular options fantasy managers might go for, Timothy Liljegren has been playing much better with an opportunity in San Jose. He is skating on the second pair and on the second power-play unit while logging around 19/20 minutes per night.
Liljegren has three goals and five points in 16 games this season before playing the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, but what makes him a potential sneaky addition is his recent production. The Sharks can score, that much has been evident, so Liljegren is going to get in on the action. He has two goals and four points on a four-game point streak with one coming on the power play. He will take some penalties and do all of the other little things that help your fantasy team, but not a ton. The Sharks still play the Tampa Bay Lightning and Panthers to close out the week.
Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 9 Forward Streams
If Ekblad is available, he is the best option here, but the other two are better short-term streaming options for your fantasy hockey team this week. Be sure to check back next week for defensive streams for Week 10.