Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Week 14. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Buy low on Jamie Benn
Team: Stars
Position: C/LW
Ownership: 90%
I wasn't so confident in a Benn turnaround earlier in the season, but I'm now more inclined to think a strong second half is on the horizon.
Since Dec. 1, Benn ranks fifth in the NHL with 1.36 expected goals per 60 minutes among players with 200 minutes played. Prior to that date, he ranked 47th with 1.02 expected goals per 60 minutes. He's scored only four goals in 15 games since the beginning of December, but it's clear he's starting to get more chances.
Benn has also been hampered by a career-low 8.3 shooting percentage this season after entering the campaign with a career mark of 13.5%. Now that he's shooting more and getting more quality chances, it's possible the former Art Ross winner has a 15-goal second half in him.
Don't sell the farm for Benn in a trade, but scoop him up if he can be had for a low cost.
Hang onto Brendan Gallagher
Team: Canadiens
Position: RW
Ownership: 86%
Gallagher is sidelined indefinitely with a concussion, but even if you're out of IR spots, he needs to be stashed in fantasy.
The pesky winger leads the entire NHL in 1.52 expected goals per 60 minutes. He already has an impressive 15 goals, but following his recovery, he could fill the net even more if he can get a bit of puck luck. More playing time wouldn't hurt either, considering he was averaging less than 17 minutes per night before he went down.
If you're in a comfortable playoff spot and Gallagher's owner is dealing with a lot of injuries, you may be able to trade for the two-time 30-goal scorer well below market value. This is risky since his return date is up in the air, but it could pay dividends by the time fantasy playoffs roll around.
Add Tanner Pearson
Team: Canucks
Position: LW
Ownership: 29%
Pearson is finally getting rewarded for his high-volume shooting. The Canucks winger surprisingly ranks 17th in the NHL in shots per 60 minutes at five-on-five. However, his season thus far has been a tale of two halves:
| Stat | First 21 GP | Last 21 GP |
|---|---|---|
| G | 4 | 8 |
| A | 7 | 11 |
| P | 11 | 19 |
| S | 62 | 42 |
Pearson's shot rates have cooled off, but he's still tallied three goals and five assists in his last five games. With a spot seemingly secured on Bo Horvat's line, Pearson is worth owning.
Add Chris Driedger
Team: Panthers
Position: G
Ownership: 8%
I recommended adding Driedger after he recorded a shutout in his first NHL start back in November. His value didn't quite skyrocket right away, but he's now in serious contention of earning more playing time.
After stopping 31 of 32 shots against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, Driedger now has a .944 save percentage and 1.81 goals-against average in six games this season. It's a small sample size, but considering the $70-million man Sergei Bobrovsky has an .856 save percentage in his last six contests and has overall been abysmal this year, a timeshare is a real possibility.
The Panthers are a really good team, so in the off chance Driedger can grab the starting gig and run with it, he has league-winning upside.
Start your rebuild in keeper leagues
If you're outside of the playoff picture in your keeper league, it's time to start trading players who can help you beyond this season. If you wait any longer, contending owners will make their moves without you, and you may miss out on their best future assets. Start working the phones.
(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick)
Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.
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