Along with the players between the pipes, assembling a roster of blue-line beasts to anchor a fantasy squad usually results in a team sitting at the top of the table come spring. Filling out lineups with even a couple of the names below likely means that team is built to win, which is why it's never too early to take a look at the players poised to take the league by storm from the backend and put together a Norris Trophy-caliber campaign. Much like our recent lists of Stanley Cup and Hart Trophy threats, our latest top-10 list shines a spotlight on the NHL's top rearguards broken down by their current Las Vegas odds to take home the Norris Trophy as the league's best blue-liner.

10. Josh Morrissey (+2000)

The haters will say Morrissey's relatively small sample size of only two seasons of putting up elite offensive numbers isn't enough to earn the 29-year-old veteran a spot on this list. However, he puts up solid peripheral statistics that make him not only fantasy relevant as one of the first-10 D-men off the board come draft time, but also a legitimate threat for this award. That's just how important he is to the Winnipeg Jets' success, without him holding down the fort in the Jets' end, starting netminder Connor Hellebuyck's numbers might be a whole lot worse.

9. Rasmus Dahlin (+2000)

After a completely beastmode season in 2022-23 that saw Dahlin breakout with 73 points, 92 penalty minutes, and 32 power-play points, it might have been a natural expectation for him to regress slightly. Sure, 59 points this past year is still technically a regression, but Dahlin was a victim of the entire Sabres team lacking in offensive punch and he still absolutely dominated when it comes to filling out the peripheral fantasy categories to the tune of 195 hits, 154 blocked shots, 235 shots on net (career high), and 66 penalty minutes. In our humble opinion, in terms of odds, Dahlin should be higher up this list but that's really an indication of how good the remaining names are below. With the Sabres likely to bounce-back in terms of offensive production and be an overall improved club with more experience under the belts of their young goaltending tandem in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi, don't be shocked if Dahlin returns to 70-plus points with relative ease.

8. Victor Hedman (+1500)

Speaking of bounce backs, none were much sweeter in terms of blue-liners than Hedman's 2023-24 performance, resurrecting his fantasy hockey value by putting up 13 goals and 63 assists only a year removed from registering only nine and 40, respectively. We can't really have a Norris Trophy conversation without mentioning Hedman's name, as the hulking Swede has finished in the top seven in Norris voting in eight of the last nine seasons. His time as an elite defensive option might be waning, but considering how good the Tampa Lightning likely still are next season, don't expect a drop off from Hedman just yet – even though his shot, block, and hit totals were down, he still brings 60-plus point value and decent categorical coverage.

7. Noah Dobson (+1500)

At the other end of the career spectrum we have a 24-year-old rising phenom in Dobson on Long Island. If he were playing in almost any other market with a team even slightly more offensively inclined, Dobson's numbers would likely be jumping off the page while propelling him into being a top-five fantasy option on the blue line. As it stands right now, his 70-point season just a year ago likely has him coming off the board as the sixth or seventh rearguard in fantasy hockey drafts, but leaving him around much after that would be a massive slip. Expect Norris-level things from the smooth-skating Dobson this year.

6. Miro Heiskanen (+1300)

A stellar postseason showing only a few months ago when he put up 16 points in 19 games for the Dallas Stars should cement Heiskanen as one of the best all-round D-men in the NHL today. Sure, his peripheral category coverage leaves a little to be desired in terms of fantasy output, but at only 25 years of age and with all of the tools to become a dominant force at both ends of the rink, Heiskanen heads into the upcoming draft season as one of the most attractive defensive pieces that any fantasy GM would be more than happy to have anchoring their blue-line brigade. Not to mention, the Stars will most definitely be one of the most complete teams in the league once again, likely knocking on the door for another deep run at Lord Stanley, so his all-around numbers and ability to put up points make him an even more tantalizing option.

5. Roman Josi (+1200)

Norris Trophy lists mean Roman Josi being the mix. The longtime captain of the Nashville Predators is an elite defenseman with a well-rounded game who's seemingly been racking up elite offensive numbers for the better part of two decades in the NHL. Josi’s offensive contributions, including his heavy shot and playmaking abilities, are complemented by his solid defensive play that lead him to also chip in with blocked shots, hits, and penalty minutes. Even at 34 years old Josi is still logging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per night, making him a top fantasy option.

4. Evan Bouchard (+950)

Not many defenseman are entering the upcoming fantasy draft season with as much fanfare or attention as Bouchard. From the booming Bouch bombs from the point, to his ability to throw his weight around and also block shots, to the chemistry he's clearly formed on the Edmonton Oilers' elite top power-play unit, there is so much to love about what Bouchard brings to the table. After a postseason that saw him set multiple NHL records while racking up an impressive 32 points in only 25 games, Bouchard's fantasy value has never been higher. Coming at fifth in Norris voting this season, Bouchard will assuredly have another big season and be in the mix for this award once again.

3. Quinn Hughes (+600)

The Vancouver Canucks' talisman is hands-down one of the most skilled puck-moving defensemen in the league with elite offensive tools and the ability to put up 90-point seasons with regularity. Hughes’ agility and vision allow him to generate offense from the blue line effectively while creating top-notch scoring chances for his Canucks' teammates. His knack for producing on the power play takes his fantasy value to the next level, but don't bank on Hughes for his peripheral contributions. Blocking shots and registering hits are just not a part of his game, which somewhat hurts his draft stock. However, that shouldn't deter fantasy GMs from making him one of the first-three rearguards off the board.

2. Adam Fox (+600)

Likely much lower on this list based on pure fantasy numbers, Fox is simply that important to the New York Rangers' overall success each night that he regularly finishes in the top-five in Norris voting each season – something that he's actually done in four consecutive seasons along with winning the award in 2021. We wouldn't place Fox in the same category as Hughes, Bouchard, or Makar, but he slides into the tier just below, making him still one of the best blue-line options in the NHL. Two-hundred and nineteen points over the past three regular seasons combined for the Rangers also doesn't hurt.

1. Cale Makar (+300)

The hands down slam dunk choice for top fantasy blue liner and Norris Trophy threat, Makar is simply a wizard out there flying from end-to-end with ease while creating elite scoring chances for both himself and his teammates. With only five full seasons of NHL service, Makar has already amassed a ridiculously impressive amount of accolades and hardware to the tune of four All-Star nods, a Calder Trophy, a Conn Smythe, a Stanley Cup, and of course, the 2021-22 Norris. Another 90-point season is very much within the realm of possibility and when you can skate and shoot the puck like Makar can, the sky is seriously the limit. If Makar isn't the first defenseman taken in upcoming fantasy hockey drafts, that is the biggest slip any GM could make. Don't be that person. If you have the sixth-to-tenth selection, Makar would make a perfect target on any squad.