Here are theScore's defenseman value rankings for Thursday, January 7's seven-game slate:
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Giordano (CGY) | vs. ARI | |
| Erik Karlsson (OTT) | vs. FLA | 9 |
| John Klingberg (DAL) | vs. WPG | 9 |
| Ryan Suter (MIN) | vs. PHI | 8 |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI) | at CGY | 8 |
| Dustin Byfuglien (WPG) | at DAL | 8 |
Giordano is on scoring tear as of late, tallying four points (1G, 3A) over his last three games. The Flames' captain is a must-play in all formats.
Best of the Rest
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan Keith (CHI) | at PIT | 7 |
| Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI) | at MIN | 7 |
| Drew Doughty (LA) | vs. TOR | 7 |
| Brent Burns (SJ) | vs. DET | 7 |
| Niklas Kronwall (DET) | at SJ | 6 |
| Jake Muzzin (LA) | vs. TOR | 6 |
| Matt Niskanen (WAS) | at NYI | 6 |
| Alex Goligoski (DAL) | vs. WPG | 5 |
| Jared Spurgeon (MIN) | vs. PHI | 5 |
| Dion Phaneuf (TOR) | at LA | 5 |
Keith should supply DFSers a viable return in the Blackhawks' potent offense. While Burns is the most expensive D on the majority of DFS sites and isn't a lock to return value against the Red Wings' stingy defense.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Rielly (TOR) | at LA | 4 |
| Aaron Ekblad (FLA) | at OTT | 4 |
| Michael Del Zotto (PHI) | at MIN | 3 |
| T.J. Brodie (CGY) | vs. ARI | 3 |
| Jacob Trouba (WPG) | at DAL | 2 |
| Nick Leddy (NYI) | vs. Was | 2 |
Rielly and Ekblad are the lifeline of their teams' defenses, though aren't given the same leash as other offensive defenseman, resulting in their lower potential.
