Who to start · 2025-26
Cole Caufield vs Mikko Rantanen
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cole Caufield projects to 2.29 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mikko Rantanen's 2.21.
Caufield had 88 points in 81 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 games.
This week Caufield has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Rantanen has 1 left. We project Caufield for 1.6 ESPN points to Rantanen's 1.6.
Cole Caufield has the better number in 17 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Caufield's biggest edges: Goals above expected +7.8, Fenwick 54.9%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37.
Rantanen's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 93, Ascension score 54, Faceoffs won 37.
- • 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, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Cole Caufield
2.29
fantasy points per game
Mikko Rantanen
2.21
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Cole Caufield has the edge.
| Points per game from | Caufield | Rantanen |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 1.18 | 0.64 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.43 | 0.81 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.17 | 0.25 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.32 | 0.21 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.12 | 0.22 |
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
Cole Caufield and Mikko Rantanen have no head-to-head events in our data yet (regular season and playoffs since 2019-20).
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.
Cole Caufield
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ TOROpp allows 11th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.6 ptsOpp allows the fewest FP to RWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
Mikko Rantanen
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 vs STLLikely vs Joel Hofer (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ NSHB2B1.6 ptsOpp allows 11th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −12.9 win%Likely vs Juuse Saros (.893)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Cole Caufield or Mikko Rantanen in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cole Caufield projects to 2.29 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Mikko Rantanen's 2.21. Caufield had 88 points in 81 games; Rantanen had 77 in 64 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, Cole Caufield or Mikko Rantanen?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Cole Caufield leads in 17 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
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 →