Player Rankings: Tier 3 D-men

With the Mathieu Schneider thing not looking like it will clear up anytime soon (rumors of several trades are in the air) I decided that I couldn't wait any longer to post the rest of the d-men rankings. Burke came out and admitted that he is trying to get Teemu signed so I guess go ahead and move him up in your right wing rankings (though I still like him where he is) and that he had rejected several offers for Schneider before putting him on waivers. It will be interesting to see how this plays out from both a fantasy hockey perspective and a real world one. OK...

Tier 3:

10. Bryan McCabe, Fla
Projected Stats: 12 G, 36 A, +3, 124 PIM, 28 PP, 175 SOG

McCabe's breakout didn't really happen until he came to Toronto. Now there are two theories on this. The popular theory is what I like to call the "Duh... Mats Sundin" theory. I think it pretty much explains itself. The other theory, my theory, is that in 01-02 when McCabe really broke out he was 25... which is prime time for a d-man. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it takes defensemen a while to develop in this league. Anyway depending on which theory you subscribe to, McCabe's move to South Florida is either a good one or a bad one for his fantasy value. I think he and Bouwmeester will be a deadly combination on the point this year. Also they can pair McCabe with any number of responsible defensemen at even strength. He's a steal if he falls much below this.

11. Sheldon Souray, Edm
Projected Stats: 15 G, 30 A, -8, 128 PIM, 32 PP, 214 SOG

Hey remember how awesome Souray was that one year when he was playing on the point with Markov in Montreal and how he like scored a billion goals and all of them were on the powerplay and other then his big fat minus he was a really solid fantasy d-man. Who do you think is better? Markov or Visnovsky? Just saying.

12. Shea Weber, Nash
Projected Stats: 15 G, 35 A, +8, 62 PIM, 31 PP, 222 SOG

I'm ranking Weber fairly ambitiously here. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Weber put up similar numbers two seasons ago (scoring more goals but getting fewer assists) without powerplay time. With Zidlicky and Timonen departing since then the way seems to be clear for Weber to own the point. He and the other talented Nashville d-men (Suter, Koistitsyn, and Hamhuis to just name the ones that will make this list) will compete for it all season. Ultimately I think it will be Koistitsyn's and Weber's to lose. Shots seem high to you? Weber was averaging three shots a game last season. That's what that looks like when you project it out over 82 games.

13. Andrei Markov, Mon
Projected Stats: 13 G, 41 A, +1, 54 PIM, 28 PP, 142 SOG

Even with the "Montreal Discount" I've been applying liberally this offseason, because of my assumption that the powerplay can't possibly be as good as last season, Markov is a solid number 2 d-man. The goals are a relatively new addition for Markov but the assists have been there for a season or 2 now. If anything is going down it will be his tally's, both even strength and on the powerplay. His helpers should stay pretty constant though.

14. Sergei Zubov, Dal
Projected Stats: 9 G, 46 A, +12, 31 PIM, 31 PP, 162 SOG

Zubov, at 38, was on pace for his best season ever last year before going down to injury. He is still the best option on the point for Dallas, and he's still very very good. He's been a very healthy player throughout his career and should rebound nicely this season. He's only this low because of his lack of PIM.

15. Wade Redden, NYR
Projected Stats: 11 G, 40 A, +13, 66 PIM, 33 PP, 168 SOG

I think that's Redden's floor this year. You'll probably be able to get him lower then this since the entire hockey world except for the Rangers seemed to think that Brian Campbell was better then him this offseason. Expect a great year for this former second overall pick. He's out of the soap opera of Ottawa and under the spotlight of New York. I think he'll fit in just fine.

16. Ed Jovanovski, Pho
Projected Stats: 12 G, 37 A, +2, 76 PIM, 29 PP, 210 SOG

Jovo-cop had the kind of season that everyone has always believed him capable. With Jokinen in Phoenix things are looking up for the talented two way defender... but can he stay healthy two season in a row?

17. Brian Campbell, Chi
Projected Stats: 9 G, 49 A, +8, 22 PIM, 34 PP, 154 SOG

Campbell will eventually have a lot of competition for powerplay time on this young but talented team. It won't be coming this season though. Campbell's principle value lies in assists and powerplay points. He is underwhelming in every other category but is a solid choice as a second defenseman if you take care of PIM elsewhere.

18. Joe Corvo, Car
Projected Stats: 13 G, 36 A, +9, 38 PIM, 30 PP, 183 SOG

Really? Joe Corvo? Yes. Really. Pitkanen's arrival in Carolina casts a little doubt on Corvo's role but these stats don't: 21 points in 23 games in Carolina last season. Yea, he was that good a fit on this team. Take him here anticipating the stats above but hope for more.

19. Philippe Boucher, Dal
Projected Stats: 12 G, 30 A, +5, 96 PIM, 22 PP, 189 SOG

Boucher had been excellent since the lockout... before he missed half of last season to injury. If healthy he gets you a little bit of everything. He might go higher then this but he also could fly under the radar due to his low totals last season. One major concern. Even though he only played 38 games he still had a painfully low 3 points on the man advantage. Just... be aware.

20. Kimmo Timonen, Phi
Projected Stats: 10 G, 36 A, +2, 58 PIM, 31 PP, 144 SOG

Time for a couple of upside picks. Timonen had a "good" year but one that's not quite up to his usual standards. He will share the point with Coburn this year (who could have a GREAT year) but he is still a solid number 2 d-man. Philly is the team that made the Eastern Conference finals last year and not the one that struggled to make the playoffs.

21. Lubomir Visnovsky, Edm
Projected Stats: 12 G, 38 A, -8, 26 PIM, 31 PP, 145 SOG

The Breaking the Trap bounceback candidate of the year. Visnovsky had a bad year in LA. So did everyone else. Edmonton is a team poised for awesome-itude (TM BtT enterprises 2008) and the teaming of Souray and Visnovsky on the point is a big part of that. Again, the above is what I believe to Visnovsky's absolute floor. He's kind of useless outside of the offensive categories and I tend to like to get either shots or PIM out of my D-men but his potential for close to hit the high 50's or low 60's in points more than makes up for it.