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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:
Brady Skjei (D, NYR) 24% owned. The whole Rangers squad is playing amazing right now. Brady has 6 points in his last 8 games.
Brandon Dubinsky (C, Cls) 29% owned. It's very streaky with him so get on and then get out as soon as it looks like he's going cold.
Tanner Pearson (LW, LA) 27% owned. 14 points in 14 games (including 7 goals) - finally someone not named Jeff Carter is producing for the Kings.
Travis Zajac (C, NJ) 15% owned. First line center with lots of faceoffs won who has 7 points in his last 6 games for just 15% owned.
Martin Hanzal (C, Min) 14% owned. He's always been big and physical but the change in venue has boosted his points - ride this through year end!
5 Benders:
Corey Perry (RW, Anh) 97% owned. I finally dropped him, I can't take this lack of production anymore, I'll let someone else take that gamble going into the playoffs.
Oliver Ekman-Larson (D, Ari) 96% owned. Same here, the team is in full on free fall mode and are ready for next year.
Daniel Sedin (LW, Van) 72% owned. He's been dropped in a bunch of leagues I'm in and I can't justify picking him up.
Justin Faulk (D, Car) 77% owned. I've written about him before, this is not his season to shine, pick him up in 2017-2018 and hope he rebounds then.
Jaden Schwartz (C/LW, Stl) 53% owned. He can join the club of Blues who were all-stars one year and then we see about half of that production the next year (as the next star comes up)