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Who to start · 2025-26

Chandler Stephenson vs Ian Cole

Chandler StephensonChandler StephensonKraken · CentrevsIan ColeIan ColeBlackhawks · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Chandler Stephenson projects to 1.47 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30.

Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Cole had 23 in 82 games.

This week Stephenson has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Cole has 1 left. We project Stephenson for 2.9 ESPN points to Cole's 1.5.

Chandler Stephenson has the better number in 19 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Stephenson's biggest edges: Power-play time per game 2:39, Ascension score 51, 20+ mph bursts 169.

Cole's biggest edges: High-danger chances 56.7%, Plus/minus +16, Forecheck xG /60 0.39.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Chandler Stephenson

1.47

fantasy points per game

Ian Cole

1.30

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Chandler Stephenson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromStephensonCole
Goals (+2)0.500.06
Assists (+1)0.390.22
Power-play points (+0.5)0.090.00
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.120.07
Hits (+0.1)0.020.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.330.87

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: Stephenson vs Cole

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

StephensonCole
20Team record in 39 meetings19
24Points in those games8

Stephenson 6G 18A, 43 SOG · Cole 0G 8A, 39 SOG

0Hits on each other6
2Shots blocked by the other1

Stephenson blocked 2 of Cole's shots; Cole blocked 1 of Stephenson's.

On the ice against each other (Stephenson's side)

12:52 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Stephenson's side

Shot attempts
9–17
34.6%
Expected goals
0.3–0.6
29.8%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Chandler Stephenson and Ian Cole
DateScoreStephensonCole
2026-04-02SEA 2–6 UTA0G 1A 0S0G 0A 0S
2026-01-17SEA 3–6 UTA1G 0A 1S0G 1A 0S
2025-12-12SEA 3–5 UTA0G 1A 4S0G 0A 1S
2025-04-08SEA 1–7 UTA0G 0A 0S0G 0A 1S
2025-03-14SEA 4–2 UTA0G 1A 1S0G 0A 0S
2024-12-30SEA 5–2 UTA0G 0A 1S0G 1A 0S
2024-04-08VGK 3–4 VAN0G 0A 0S0G 0A 0S
2024-04-02VGK 6–3 VAN0G 0A 0S0G 0A 0S
2024-03-07VGK 1–3 VAN0G 0A 0S0G 0A 0S
2023-11-30VGK 4–1 VAN0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S
2023-03-09VGK 4–3 TBL1G 0A 1S0G 0A 1S
2023-02-18VGK 5–4 TBL0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S

Latest 12 of 39 meetings.

Every stat, side by side

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

StephensonCole

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.

Chandler Stephenson

3games (2 left)

2.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ CGY
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.5 pts
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
  • Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.5 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)

Ian Cole

3games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to DLikely vs Carter Hart (.891)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ UTA
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF1.5 pts
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Chandler Stephenson or Ian Cole in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Chandler Stephenson projects to 1.47 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30. Stephenson had 49 points in 80 games; Cole had 23 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, Chandler Stephenson or Ian Cole?
On 2025-26 numbers, Chandler Stephenson leads in 19 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Stephenson and Cole done against each other?
In 39 games against each other in our data, Stephenson's team went 20–19. Stephenson had 24 points (6 goals) and Cole had 8 (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 →