Who is the #1 D in WPG?

[burespaghetti]

At the beginning of the year I think the consensus would have been Pionk?

At this point and ROS, is it still Pionk? Or is it Schmidt now? Which of the 2 ends up being the top dog this year? Or could it be someone else?

[Belexus75]

to me for fantasy purpose its Pionk, however i fully believe Winnipeg thinks of Morrisey as their best D

[GTX]

Last year Pionk and Morrissey constantly swapped their PP1 and PP2 duties.
This year Schmidt came into the mix. It's frustrating for the fantasy owners (I have Pionk in 1 year league).
I think Pionk will win points and hits ROS.
But you would rather have clear stable PP1 quarterback like Letang, McAvoy, Hedman, Makar, Q.Hughes.

[Darkwing Puck]

But you would rather have clear stable PP1 quarterback like Letang, McAvoy, Hedman, Makar, Q.Hughes.

It's really going to depend on your league's settings. In a league that counts hits, Pionk is and will likely remain more valuable than Letang, Makar, or Hughes.

[Belexus75]

It's really going to depend on your league's settings. In a league that counts hits, Pionk is and will likely remain more valuable than Letang, Makar, or Hughes.

lol..no?

Latang is not bad himself in those cats and brings more offensively for most parts but its close i give you that

Hughes, if he picks up offensive game , i prefer elite offense from D as you can find hits elsewhere

Makar? see Hughes x 10

[Eli26]

Belexus is right, as an NHL blueliner, Josh Morrissey is our most complete defenseman, although Nate Schmidt is soon changing that narrative. Fantasy wise I would agree again it's Neal Pionk, but alas, Nate Schmidt by be changing that narrative as well. It seems as though Schmitty was the Matt Duchene of defensemen last year for Vancouver, having a career low season.... seems like both Duchene and Schmidt had outlier abysmal seasons.... Seems like they are playing some of their best hockey this Fall. We'll see if it lasts.

[SeaDawg]

Winnipeg has needed defense for a few years now. I've thought for a while that Gostisbehere would be a good fit there. He's showing this year that he can still be a quality player if given an opportunity. Philly really mishandled him.

[Eli26]

Winnipeg has needed defense for a few years now. I've thought for a while that Gostisbehere would be a good fit there. He's showing this year that he can still be a quality player if given an opportunity. Philly really mishandled him.

Phildelphia is looking like a mess.

[rangerdanger]

It's Pionk for fantasy hands down. Especially in banger leagues. Morrisey might be their top "defensive Dman". Shut down guy. But Pionk is clearly, IMO, their top all around Dman. And he's just in his prime, so I think he continues. Love him in banger leagues with points and hits and blocks.

I am sure Jets will address their D situation at some point and draft a few young guys. I really thought Heinola would be having a bigger impact at this point, but he's not even with the Jets yet which is surprising to me.

And while I like the Lucius pick, I think having drafted Perfetti and all ready having Sheif and PLD, they could have gone with a Dman like Lambos or Ceulemans there instead. But they didn't. So now I would fully expect them to load up on some D in future drafts.

All amounting to, I think, Pionk remaining their top all around Dman for at least some years to go. With Morrisey as their top shut down, defensive Dman.

With the slight dip in production, I am attempting to get Pionk in every Dynasty league I am in right now. I see it as a perfect buy sort of low opportunity. Especially in bangers. But so far, Pionk owners have been very reluctant to move him, which I understand as there is no way I would move him right now. And I just don't think Schmidt can surpass him long term.

[SeaDawg]

Phildelphia is looking like a mess.

yeap, and by no means am I saying that they'd be any better if Gostisbehere was still there. However, I strongly feel (and have felt this way forever) that Gostisbehere can thrive if put in the proper role. No offense meant to Pionk or Schmidt, but imo Gostisbehere would fit very nicely on the Jets and provide a dynamic option on the backend that they've lacked since Byfuglien.