Every Wednesday during the season, NHL.com fantasy hockey contributor Brian Metzer provides in-depth defenseman analysis. From updated weekly top 60 rankings to trending players and more, Metzer is your go-to guy for fantasy D-men advice all season long.
Fantasy leagues are not often won with the picks that you make in the first, second or even third rounds. More times than not, it's the players you draft in the late rounds or pick up on the waiver wire that carry you to a championship.
That's where you identify and take a chance on rookies, injury replacements and players primed for a breakout, players such as Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers and Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres.