NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Defensemen, November 29: Matheson Quietly Producing on the Blueline for the Habs

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues and/or for daily fantasy games.

Luke Hughes, NJ vs. PHI (87% rostered) - FanDuel $xxHughes extended his point and assist streak to three games Wednesday. With that point and two shots blocked in the contest, Hughes raised his totals to 13 assists, 14 points, 48 shots on goal and 21 blocks through 23 games this season. Hughes notched 47 and 44 points, respectively, his first two full seasons in the league. Currently, he is manning the point on the second power play unit while seeing two extra minutes of ice time nightly. A 50-point season certainly looks reachable.

Mike Matheson, MTL @ COL (68% rostered) - FanDuel $xxMatheson has quietly racked up points this season, rebounding from a down 2024-25 campaign. After falling from 62 to 31 points last season, partially due to the addition of Lane Hutson, Matheson has found a way to be productive even with the acquisition of Noah Dobson on the blueline. He saw his three-game point streak stopped Wednesday but has posted four goals and 10 assists in 22 appearances. Matheson signed a five-year contract extension with a $6 mil AAV on Friday that will keep him in Montreal through 2030-31

Erik Karlsson, PIT vs. TOR (83% rostered) - FanDuel $xxKarlsson is no longer the player who scored 101 points in 2022-23 with San Jose. In fact, he might not be the one who posted 56 and 53 points, respectively, his first seasons in Pittsburgh. But he is the best blueline option for the Penguins, who currently sit in a playoff spot. If the bottom falls out and they drop from that spot, he is a candidate to be traded. Until then, look for EK65 to continue to play heavy minutes, including on the power play.

Brandt Clarke, LA vs. VAN (21% rostered) - FanDuel $xxDrew Doughty (lower body) is listed as a week-to-week, creating a hole on the LA blueline. Being counted on to fill that breach is Clarke, who seemed to take a step forward in 2024-25 but has struggled this season. Clarke's difficulties are a carryforward from his poor second half last season, where he posted just two goals and 11 assists in 37 appearances. He has three goals and seven assists in 23 contests but gets a boost in value with Doughty sidelined.

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