Fantasy Hockey Week 11 Primer And Pickups: Kadri Shines, Hutson Scores First NHL Goal

Week 11 of the 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey season offers plenty of action, featuring breakout performances and exciting schedule opportunities. Nazem Kadri of the Flames is on fire, and rookie defenseman Lane Hutson of the Canadiens finally scored his first NHL goal, which could be the first of many. Here’s everything you need to know to dominate your fantasy hockey matchups this week.

Week 11 Schedule Overview

The Week 11 schedule is balanced, offering managers ample opportunities to make key moves. While Monday is light with only three games, the rest of the week features at least five games each day, capped by six games on Sunday. This provides a chance to make a final push to secure victory.

Teams Playing Four Games: Eight teams have four games this week, making their players prime targets for pickups.
Teams Playing Two Games: Only the Vegas Golden Knights and New York Islanders have two games, so avoid relying heavily on their players. Stars like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone might still produce, but it’s a risk compared to players with three or four games.

Standout Performers

Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames

Kadri has been on a hot streak, displaying leadership and scoring prowess for the Flames. His recent surge in production makes him a must-start in all formats, especially with Calgary playing a full four-game schedule this week.

Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens

The highly-touted rookie defenseman scored his first NHL goal, a moment Canadiens fans had been waiting for. With his offensive instincts and ability to generate scoring chances, Hutson could become a valuable fantasy asset moving forward.

Goaltending Drama

Goalies remain a major storyline heading into Week 11.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired Mackenzie Blackwood, signalling a shakeup in their goaltending tandem after recently acquiring Scott Wedgewood.
Buffalo Sabres recalled Devon Levi, but their struggles continued, as they suffered their 10th consecutive loss.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are stretched thin, with Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby holding the fort after Anthony Stolarz was injured.
The Boston Bruins leaned heavily on Linus Ullmark, who played back-to-back games after Anton Forsberg was hurt during a pre-game skate.

With 14 straight days of games in Week 11, checking daily goalie matchups is critical to maximizing wins and saves.

Holiday Roster Freeze

The NHL’s holiday roster freeze will be in effect from December 20–27, limiting transactions during that time. Teams may try to finalize trades before the freeze, so stay alert for last-minute roster changes.

Fantasy Pickups

Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks (50% rostered)

The Canucks are reeling after a tough 5-1 loss, but Garland remains a steady option. Whether he lines up on L1 with JT Miller and Brock Boeser or drops to L3 with Dakota Joshua and Pius Suter, Garland continues to log significant ice time.

His scoring pace has dipped slightly, but he’s projected to finish with around 70 points. Garland is a worthy pickup in leagues with 12 or more teams, especially with Vancouver playing four games this week.

Maximizing Matchups

To get the most out of Week 11:

Prioritize players from teams playing four games to maximize production.
Avoid players from the Golden Knights and Islanders, unless they are top-tier stars.
Monitor goalie matchups daily to stay ahead of your opponents.

With this guide, you’ll be prepared to navigate Week 11 and make the critical moves needed to secure a fantasy victory. Good luck, and may your team skate to success!