Who to start · 2025-26
Bowen Byram vs Tage Thompson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tage Thompson projects to 2.26 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37.
Byram had 42 points in 82 games; Thompson had 81 in 81 games.
This week Byram has 1 game left; Thompson has 1 left. We project Thompson for 2.4 ESPN points to Byram's 1.5.
Tage Thompson has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Byram's biggest edges: Plus/minus +15, Ascension score 59, Shorthanded points 1.
Thompson's biggest edges: Hardest shot 97.9, Forecheck xG /60 0.28, Offensive-zone start % 60.8%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 4 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bowen Byram
1.37
fantasy points per game
Tage Thompson
2.26
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Tage Thompson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Byram | Thompson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.24 | 0.93 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.33 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.04 | 0.14 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.12 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.05 | 0.10 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.59 | 0.28 |
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: Byram vs Thompson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Byram 0G 0A, 1 SOG · Thompson 0G 1A, 7 SOG
Byram blocked 1 of Thompson's shots; Thompson blocked 2 of Byram's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
518:58 at 5-on-5 over 94 games, 2025-26
- Shot attempts
- 506–516
- 49.5%
- Expected goals
- 24.6–26.1
- 48.5%
- Goals
- 27–25
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Byram | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-12-13 | COL 5–1 BUF | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2023-10-29 | COL 0–4 BUF | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
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.
Bowen Byram
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
- Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
- Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF1.5 ptsSchedule edge −1.0 win%
Tage Thompson
2games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CBJ
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CHI2.4 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bowen Byram or Tage Thompson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Tage Thompson projects to 2.26 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Bowen Byram's 1.37. Byram had 42 points in 82 games; Thompson had 81 in 81 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 Tage Thompson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Tage Thompson 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 Byram and Thompson done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Byram's team went 1–1. Byram had 0 points (0 goals) and Thompson had 1 (0 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 →