Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Bowen Byram vs Leon Draisaitl

Bowen ByramBowen ByramBlackhawks · DefencevsLeon DraisaitlLeon DraisaitlOilers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Leon Draisaitl projects to 2.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37.

Byram had 42 points in 82 games; Draisaitl had 97 in 65 games.

This week Byram has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Draisaitl has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Byram for 2.0 ESPN points to Draisaitl's 2.0.

Leon Draisaitl has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Byram's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 −0.046, Transition attempts /60 0.41, Blocked shots 93.

Draisaitl's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.32, Offensive-zone time 46.7%, Goals above expected +0.1.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 2 PPP, 10 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Bowen Byram

1.37

fantasy points per game

Leon Draisaitl

2.96

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Leon Draisaitl has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromByramDraisaitl
Goals (+2)0.241.19
Assists (+1)0.330.96
Power-play points (+0.5)0.040.34
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.120.31
Hits (+0.1)0.050.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.590.10

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

Bowen Byram and Leon Draisaitl have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

ByramDraisaitl

Fantasy box score

Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)

Transition, turnovers & faceoffs

Usage

Special teams & discipline

Luck & trend

NHL EDGE tracking

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.

Bowen Byram

3games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 5th-fewest FP to D
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to D
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.0 pts
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%

Leon Draisaitl

3games (1 left)

2.0proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to C
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA2.0 pts
    Opp allows 6th-fewest FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Bowen Byram or Leon Draisaitl in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Leon Draisaitl projects to 2.96 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37. Byram had 42 points in 82 games; Draisaitl had 97 in 65 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, Bowen Byram or Leon Draisaitl?
On 2025-26 numbers, Leon Draisaitl leads in 24 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.

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 →