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:

MIkael Backlund (C, Cgy) 35% owned. He continues to dominate and produce. Pick. Him. Up.

Bo Hovrat (C, Van) 12% owned. I'm generally not big on Vancouver players but he's on a 5 game point streak, is firing the puck accuratley from up close and is producing.

Adam Lowry (C,LW, Wpg) 6% owned.  Does your league emphasize Faceoffs won? Then he's your guy.

Jason Zucker (LW, RW, Min) 26% owned. He's riding the MInnesota hot streak and it's working out well for him.

Anders Nilson (G, Buff) 7% owned. Still not love for the Buffalo goalie who is already doing well and his team is primed to make a push over the next month.

5 Benders:

Anze Kopitar (C, La) 91% owned. Cut or trade him. He's had down years before, this is definitely one, he's not worth his ADP or normal stock level.

Sami Vatanan (D, Anh) 66% owned. Just know if you own him: there are better options out there much less owned in just about every category.

Dion Phaneuf (D, Ott) 73% owned. Production increased a bit lately but i'm still not sold, he looks vastly different.

Jaden Schwartz (LW, Stl) 70% owned. He's doing ok but there are likely better options if you search. Plus St. Louis is in for a very rough week.

Marc-Andre Fleury (G, PItt) 83%. Not a good week for Pittsburgh players, bench him.