Adam Fox

Were it not for a 100-point campaign out of Erik Karlsson, Fox might have earned his second Norris Trophy win in 2022-23. The Rangers' top defenseman logged 12 goals, 60 assists, 159 shots on goal, 125 blocked shots and a plus-28 rating in 82 games last season. He remains an elite scoring threat from the blue line while also quarterbacking a power play that has converted at a 23.5 percent rate over the last three years, good for sixth-best in the NHL. Fox is among the top blueliners both on the ice and in fantasy, so he's absolutely worth a top-25 pick in drafts this fall and will likely go earlier than that.

Other than all-world goaltender Igor Shesterkin, Fox is clearly the Rangers' most indispensable player. He followed up his 2020-21 Norris Trophy-winning campaign by setting new career-best marks in goals (11), assists (63), points (74), shots on goal (158), and power-play points (33) a season ago. Fox made $925K each of his first three years in the league. His salary will jump to $9.5 million each of the next seven seasons and somehow, he still figures to be underpaid. The elite overall production Fox brings to the table - particularly with the man advantage - is extremely difficult to find and it's important to remember he won't turn 25 until next February. Fox will be a No. 1 fantasy defender in any format this coming season.

The Rangers' first Norris Trophy winner since Hall of Famer Brian Leetch back in 1996-97, Fox is coming off a dominant season which no one could have possibly seen coming. Fox is fresh off a year in which he led all NHL rearguards in assists (42) and finished second in points (47) and power-play points (23). He was also a favorite of the analytic crowd, as virtually all the advanced numbers pointed to Fox as being the league's best defenseman. Fox isn't the biggest guy in the world, but his hockey sense in all three zones is elite. He seemingly never gets hit and constantly makes the correct decision with the puck. Fox is going to be one of the very best players in the NHL for a long time and should be drafted as such moving forward. Nothing we saw from him a year ago is a fluke.

Fox's 42 points in 70 games last season were pretty special. They put him third in rookie scoring from the blue line behind Calder nominee Quinn Hughes and winner Cale Makar. That's impressive company. The Harvard grad thinks the game in an elite way and the Rangers' supporting cast has gotten real good, real fast. Fox is a top-pairing defender with power-play skill who's surrounded by scoring talent. A sophomore slump is always possible, but this guy is as smart as a Fox. A 45-50 point season is possible,too, and he'll offer more stability than teammate Tony DeAngelo.

Fox refused to sign his entry-level contract with Carolina, prompting an offseason trade to New York, where the Harvard product should get a good opportunity to contribute right away. He was an offensive force from the blue line in his last collegiate season, producing 48 points in 33 games. The long-term outlook on Fox is intriguing, and he could be a useful fantasy contributor from the get-go if he's able to adjust to the NHL quickly and lock down a role on the power play.

Selected in the third round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Fox was part of a blockbuster trade between Calgary and Carolina this offseason. The blue-line point packer with a cannon for a shot will head to the Hurricanes organization but he'll almost assuredly return to Harvard for a third season. Fox recorded 12 goals and 68 points in the ECAC between 2016-18. His notable upside makes him an intriguing fantasy commodity in dynasty formats.