Who to start · 2025-26
Brandon Hagel vs Sam Malinski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brandon Hagel projects to 2.15 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Sam Malinski's 1.44.
Hagel had 74 points in 71 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 games.
This week Hagel has 1 game left; Malinski has 1 left. We project Hagel for 2.2 ESPN points to Malinski's 1.4.
Brandon Hagel has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Hagel's biggest edges: Ascension score 58, Ice time per game 19:46, Ice-time share 32.6%.
Malinski's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Goals above expected +0.1, Offensive-zone time 44.5%.
- • 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, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brandon Hagel
2.15
fantasy points per game
Sam Malinski
1.44
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brandon Hagel has the edge.
| Points per game from | Hagel | Malinski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.95 | 0.18 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.07 | 0.01 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.20 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.06 | 0.05 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.25 | 0.64 |
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 Malinski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Hagel 1G 8A, 12 SOG · Malinski 0G 1A, 5 SOG
On the ice against each other (Hagel's side)
9:17 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Hagel's side
- Shot attempts
- 14–9
- 60.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.5–0.4
- 52.2%
- Goals
- 1–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Hagel | Malinski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-06 | TBL 4–2 COL | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-11-04 | TBL 2–3 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2024-11-25 | TBL 8–2 COL | 0G 5A 5S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-10-30 | TBL 5–2 COL | 0G 2A 3S | 0G 0A 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.
Brandon Hagel
2games (1 left)
2.2proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NYROpp allows 10th-fewest FP to LW
- Sat, Oct 3 vs WSH2.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Sam Malinski
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows 3rd-most FP to D
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brandon Hagel or Sam Malinski 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 Sam Malinski's 1.44. Hagel had 74 points in 71 games; Malinski had 40 in 82 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 Sam Malinski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brandon Hagel leads in 20 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 Malinski done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Hagel's team went 3–1. Hagel had 9 points (1 goals) and Malinski 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 →