Who to start · 2025-26
Brandon Hagel vs Nikita Kucherov
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brandon Hagel's 2.15.
Hagel had 74 points in 71 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 games.
This week Hagel has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Kucherov has 1 left. We project Kucherov for 2.8 ESPN points to Hagel's 1.8.
Brandon Hagel has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Hagel's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 26, Ascension score 58, Top skating speed 23.2.
Kucherov's biggest edges: Goals above expected +3.9, Luck Meter +54, Offensive-zone time 45.7%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brandon Hagel
2.15
fantasy points per game
Nikita Kucherov
3.01
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nikita Kucherov has the edge.
| Points per game from | Hagel | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.95 | 1.20 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 1.05 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.07 | 0.23 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.29 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.25 | 0.21 |
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: Hagel vs Kucherov
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Hagel 0G 1A, 1 SOG · Kucherov 0G 1A, 3 SOG
Hagel blocked 12 of Kucherov's shots; Kucherov blocked 0 of Hagel's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
574:30 at 5-on-5 over 67 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 744–476
- 61.0%
- Expected goals
- 38.2–22.7
- 62.7%
- Goals
- 46–17
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Hagel | Kucherov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-06 | CHI 3–6 TBL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
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.
Brandon Hagel
2games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 7th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH1.8 ptsOpp allows 10th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Nikita Kucherov
2games (1 left)
2.8proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 12th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.8 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +13.4 win%vs Charlie Lindgren (.879)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brandon Hagel or Nikita Kucherov in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nikita Kucherov projects to 3.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brandon Hagel's 2.15. Hagel had 74 points in 71 games; Kucherov had 130 in 77 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, Brandon Hagel or Nikita Kucherov?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brandon Hagel leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Hagel and Kucherov done against each other?
- In 1 games against each other in our data, Hagel's team went 0–1. Hagel had 1 points (0 goals) and Kucherov 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 →