Fantasy Hockey: Breakaways and Benders

In this weekly piece I will provide 5 players below 50% owned who should be looked into owning (Breakaways) and 5 players above 50% owned who are struggling (Benders). This doesn't mean you should drop the Benders but maybe they can ride the pine for a week to get their head back in the game. Generally, I am very skittish about dropping anyone above 90% owned unless they have shown 2+ months of really bad play. My rationale for the selections includes some looking through the box scores but a majority of it is with the eye test, watching the games.

5 Breakaways:

JT Miller  (C, NYR) 49% owned. Just under the 50% cusp, he's playing very well - firing shots, getting hits and blocking shots. He has 2 goals and 4 assists over the last 3 games. They have a favorable schedule this week as well.

Brandon Manning (D, Phi) 33% owned. I don't think it's sustainable but ride this while it's hot, he has 2 goals and 5 assists this season. With that said, he's playing third line minutes and is on neither of PP units. He will provide you with hits though.

Jimmy Vesey (LW, NYR) 48% owned. The Rangers have a favorable schedule and I will reiterate, I think he's going to be in the Calder running at the end of this year. 6 goals and 3 assists this season.

Nathan Beaulieu (D, Mon) 9% owned. If you are in a league with emphasis on plus/minus. Nathan has a +10 over the season to go with his 1 goal and 3 assists. Montreal players in the near future should continue to see beneficial plus minus situations.

Matthew Tkachuk (LW, Cgy) 8% owned. He started cold but now he's heating up. 2 goals and 2 assists in the last 7 days, +5, 6 hits and he's looking more comfortable on the ice.

5 Benders:

Andrew Ladd (LW, NYI) 70% owned. He's gone cold. The Islanders as a whole are struggling and I would drop him.   He has one assist this season

Henrik Sedin (C, Van) 60% owned. Vancouver had a fortunate start but I think the rest of the year is going to be a steady progression down. I would (and did) drop Sedin. I think he'll still produce but there are candidates in low ownership percentages with higher ceilings for potential production.

TJ Brodie (D, Cgy) 51% owned. So far this year he has 2 assists a -9 and he's playing big time minutes. Droppable.

Leon Draisatl (C,RW, Edm) 59% owned. After that electric start he's gone 9 games without a point, very droppable.

Ryan Miller (G, Van) 60% owned. He is on the cusp of being very disposable. I'd bench for a week or two to see how this plays out.