The 2023-24 NHL season is just about here, which means fantasy hockey managers are set to pick their teams. When it comes to defensemen, it is hard to find much better than Adam Fox (New York Rangers) and Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres). These two are huge stars of the game, but which one should you add to your hockey team? Let’s dive into this question now.
Fox vs. Dahlin In 2023 Fantasy Hockey
The Case for Fox
Fox is a huge reason for the Rangers’ overall success, and it is easy to understand why. He is their best defenseman, as he not only plays extremely reliably in his own zone but also chips in well offensively. The 25-year-old dominated yet again in 2022-23, as he had 12 goals, 72 points, and a plus-28 rating. This has become the norm for the New York native, as he also posted a 74-point campaign in 78 games in 2021-22.
Fox also notably won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman in 2020-21. That season was a superb one for him, as he had five goals and 47 points in 55 games. Needless to say, he has been one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL over the last few years. When noting that he is just entering his prime, this should carry over to 2023-24.
Thus, if you want to prioritize a defenseman with your first pick, Fox is somebody to look at. He is a consistent Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman and produces always near a point-per-game pace.
The Case for Dahlin
Sometimes, it can take a defenseman some time to develop into an NHL star. That is exactly what we saw from Dahlin last season, as he hit new career-highs in goals (15), assists (58), and points (73) in 78 games. It was a spectacular season for the 23-year-old. Besides his outstanding production, he also was excellent defensively and had a notable 105 hits.
After Dahlin’s wonderful 2022-23 season, it is fair to assume that he can improve even further. He is a former first-overall pick after all, and the Sabres are on the rise in general. Due to this, it would not be surprising at all if Dahlin hits the 80-point mark this season.
Dahlin is a clear must-have for your fantasy hockey roster. He is emerging into a legitimate superstar in front of our eyes, and he should take another major step forward this campaign, both offensively and defensively.
Either Defenseman Is Worth Taking
At the end of the day, choosing between Fox and Dahlin comes down to preference. If you want a defenseman who already has a Norris Trophy on their resume and is a consistent 70-point threat, snag Fox early in your fantasy hockey draft. However, if want to bet on Dahlin’s upside and believe he will take an even bigger step this season, he surely should be your pick.
In either scenario, you are getting one of the NHL’s best defensemen if you get either Dahlin or Fox on your team. It will be a ton of fun to see how they perform this season from here.
Looking for more great fantasy hockey analysis? Check out our 2023 Fantasy Hockey Draft Kit for team previews, rankings, and all the sleepers you can shake a stick at.