Who to start · 2025-26
Brock Nelson vs Josh Manson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48.
Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Manson had 31 in 79 games.
This week Nelson has 1 game left; Manson has 1 left. We project Nelson for 1.6 ESPN points to Manson's 1.4.
Brock Nelson has the better number in 24 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Nelson's biggest edges: Goals above expected +1.1, Power-play time per game 3:14, Ice time per game 19:39.
Manson's biggest edges: Hits 174, Transition attempts /60 0.59, Penalty minutes 91.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Brock Nelson
2.23
fantasy points per game
Josh Manson
1.48
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Brock Nelson has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nelson | Manson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.89 | 0.12 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.50 | 0.37 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.22 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.21 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.38 | 0.62 |
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: Nelson vs Manson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Nelson 7G 3A, 23 SOG · Manson 1G 6A, 20 SOG
Nelson blocked 1 of Manson's shots; Manson blocked 0 of Nelson's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
449:22 at 5-on-5 over 89 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 544–393
- 58.1%
- Expected goals
- 23.7–16.9
- 58.3%
- Goals
- 28–20
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nelson | Manson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-28 | NYI 5–2 COL | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-10-14 | NYI 6–2 COL | 2G 0A 5S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-01-02 | NYI 4–5 COL | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2023-10-24 | NYI 4–7 COL | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-10-29 | NYI 5–4 COL | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2022-03-13 | NYI 4–3 ANA | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2019-12-21 | NYI 5–6 ANA | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2019-01-20 | NYI 3–0 ANA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-10-17 | NYI 1–4 ANA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2017-12-21 | NYI 4–5 ANA | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2017-10-11 | NYI 2–3 ANA | 2G 0A 6S | 0G 2A 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.
Brock Nelson
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.6 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Josh Manson
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.4 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Brock Nelson or Josh Manson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Brock Nelson projects to 2.23 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48. Nelson had 65 points in 81 games; Manson had 31 in 79 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, Brock Nelson or Josh Manson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Brock Nelson 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 Nelson and Manson done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Nelson's team went 5–6. Nelson had 10 points (7 goals) and Manson had 7 (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 →