Solid Defensemen in Keeper Leagues for the 2009-2010 Season

With the fantasy hockey season winding down, managers in keeper leagues need to start considering players to bring over to the 2009-2010 season. This is the second segment in a multi-part series exploring keeper options at defense for keeper leagues.

Photo by: Reto

Mark Streit | New York Islanders
Although Streit was a bit of a late bloomer, he is certainly proving his worth as an offensive defenseman. Streit made waves with the Canadiens 2 years ago and again last year with New York. He lead all Islanders in scoring last season but should see some offensive help with John Tavares now in town. The Islanders certainly have some growing to do, but with Streit locked in for the next several seasons, he’ll have a chance to help the younger team around him. Hey, if he can put up 56 points with little support around him, imagine what he can do with Tavares on the PP this season, and other prospects making their way up the ranks over the next 3 years.

Shea Weber | Nashville Predators
Weber finally lived up to the hype that surrounded him since he joined the league in 2005-2006. He is a stud fantasy defender that could work his way up to the upper echelon of defenders in a few years. He can put up some serious points as well as some serious penalty minutes to boot. Before we move him up, we would like to see one, maybe two more seasons of similar production, but rest assure, barring any injuries, he certainly has the talent that will allow him to succeed. He’ll be sharing the point with Ryan Suter once again; certainly good news as the two could turn into quite the offensive tandem from the point in the next couple of years.

Tomas Kaberle | Toronto Maple Leafs
While it may say Toronto, with all the rumors swirling around him, there is a good chance that Kaberle will be elsewhere next season. Nonetheless, he is still a solid option for keeper leagues will certainly be a top candidate to run the power play next season for the lucky suitor. Imagine if he was reunited with his old point partner Bryan McCabe. Fantasy managers would salivate at the opportunity to own that tandem.

Sergei Gonchar | Pittsburgh Penguins
After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Sergei Gonchar looks to get things back on track in 2009-2010. He is one of the top offensive defenseman in the league and will once again step in and quarterback the Pens power play, which was operating at a cool 20.6% percent last season (good for 7th in the National Hockey League). Next season will be Gonchar’s last under his current contract, and if he chooses to continue on in the NHL, he needs to prove that he’s durable enough to stick around for the next several seasons. We know the offense is there; he just always seems to get nicked up at least once a season, so it’s worth throwing some caution to the wind. Just keep in mind that if you plan on keeping Gonchar long term, that on top of getting a Cup last season, he is due for a contract, and with the influx of players heading overseas in recent years, it may not be a terrible idea to grab a backup plan at some point in the draft this upcoming season. We’re certainly not saying that it’s imminent; we’re just suggesting that you make the smart play and grab another defender that could serve as a keeper for the next several seasons if things don’t work out with Gonchar as you had hoped.

Photo by: Brooke Novak

Jay Bouwmeester | Calgary Flames
This could be a real opportunity for J-Bo to take that next step up in the NHL. He’ll be sharing the point with another offensive minded defenseman in Dion Phaneuf and that added offensive presence could really boost his numbers this season. If everything pans out, the Flames could have an awfully potent power play this upcoming season and expect Bouwmeester to be a big part of it.

Niklas Kronwall | Detroit Red Wings
What’s not to like about Kronwall? He’s young, offensive minded, and has a real opportunity to be a top two defender in Detroit once Lidstrom decides to hang ‘em up. His role in the offense will only increase as we move forward, so managers should consider Kronwall a nice long term option. Perhaps Kronwall owners use him as a 2nd defensive keeper until he breaks into a top pairing consistently. Either way, he’s a good option on an offensively talented team.

Brian Campbell/Duncan Keith | Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago is becoming an extremely saturated market when it comes to fantasy players. While the first two lines of forwards should make any fantasy manager squeal, the depth at defense should not go overlooked. Campbell, Keith, Seabrook and Barker can all be offensive threats, but based on the roles they played in the offense last season, consider Campbell and Keith the solid keeper options. Both players have an offensive upside to them, and with Chicago’s power play being the best in the league last season, it certainly adds incentive to consider either of these players long term.

Kevin Bieksa | Vancouver Canucks
Bieksa should be a staple on the Canuck power play this upcoming season. He is a young defender with a huge offensive upside who is a bit of a bruiser to boot; just what a fantasy manager is looking for in a long term keeper option at defense. The makeup of the Canucks has not changed significantly in the off-season (so far), so the players should pick up right where they left off from last season. For those managers looking for a nice defensive tandem in the upcoming fantasy season, consider going after Alexander Edler in the draft. He’s still growing, but certainly has some offensive upside himself and could work with Bieksa on the point during the power play.

Saucerpass is currently running a keeper league series uncovering different levels of players at all 5 positions. We have already looked at goaltenders and left wingers, and will continue to breakdown every position until we’ve covered most options for next season:

Keeper Defenders for 2009-2010

Top Tier Defenders

Keeper Centers for 2009-2010

Top Tier Centers
Solid Centers
Servicable Centers
Questionable Centers

Keeper Left Wingers for 2009-2010

Top Tier Left Wingers
Solid Left Wingers
Serviceable Left Wingers (Part 1)
Serviceable Left Wingers (Part 2)
Questionable Left Wingers (Part 1)
Questionable Left Wingers (Part 2)

Keeper Goaltenders for 2009-2010

Top Tier Goaltenders
Solid Goaltenders
Servicable Goaltenders
Questionable Goaltenders (Part 1)
Questionable Goaltenders (Part 2)