Who to start · 2025-26
Anthony Cirelli vs Brandon Hagel
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brandon Hagel projects to 2.15 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67.
Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Hagel had 74 in 71 games.
This week Cirelli has 1 game left; Hagel has 1 left. We project Hagel for 2.2 ESPN points to Cirelli's 1.5.
Brandon Hagel has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Cirelli's biggest edges: Goals above expected +3.0, Faceoffs won 518, Luck Meter +50.
Hagel's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 2.07, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.36, Top skating speed 23.2.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Anthony Cirelli
1.67
fantasy points per game
Brandon Hagel
2.15
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brandon Hagel has the edge.
| Points per game from | Cirelli | Hagel |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.61 | 0.95 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.38 | 0.50 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.07 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.18 | 0.30 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.06 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.37 | 0.25 |
Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.
Head-to-head: Cirelli vs Hagel
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2020-21 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Cirelli 3G 2A, 15 SOG · Hagel 1G 2A, 10 SOG
Cirelli blocked 10 of Hagel's shots; Hagel blocked 1 of Cirelli's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
712:10 at 5-on-5 over 70 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 909–605
- 60.0%
- Expected goals
- 44.9–28.4
- 61.2%
- Goals
- 49–19
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cirelli | Hagel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-06 | TBL 6–3 CHI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2021-04-27 | TBL 7–4 CHI | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2021-03-20 | TBL 4–1 CHI | 1G 0A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-03-18 | TBL 4–2 CHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2021-03-07 | TBL 6–3 CHI | 0G 1A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2021-03-05 | TBL 3–4 CHI | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2021-03-04 | TBL 3–2 CHI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.
Anthony Cirelli
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.5 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Brandon Hagel
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYR
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Anthony Cirelli or Brandon Hagel in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brandon Hagel projects to 2.15 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Anthony Cirelli's 1.67. Cirelli had 52 points in 71 games; Hagel had 74 in 71 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
- Who is better, Anthony Cirelli or Brandon Hagel?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brandon Hagel leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Cirelli and Hagel done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Cirelli's team went 6–1. Cirelli had 5 points (3 goals) and Hagel had 3 (1 goals).
2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →