Who to start · 2025-26
Collin Graf vs Ivan Barbashev
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ivan Barbashev projects to 1.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Collin Graf's 1.35.
Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Barbashev had 61 in 82 games.
This week Graf has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Barbashev has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Barbashev for 1.8 ESPN points to Graf's 1.4.
Ivan Barbashev has the better number in 22 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Graf's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.021, Transition attempts /60 1.32, Ascension score 45.
Barbashev's biggest edges: Fenwick 53.4%, Sequence xG 57.2%, Expected goals 57.3%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Collin Graf
1.35
fantasy points per game
Ivan Barbashev
1.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Ivan Barbashev has the edge.
| Points per game from | Graf | Barbashev |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.49 | 0.49 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.29 | 0.53 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.03 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.14 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 0.18 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.20 |
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: Graf vs Barbashev
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Graf 2G 0A, 5 SOG · Barbashev 0G 3A, 4 SOG
On the ice against each other (Graf's side)
10:18 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Graf's side
- Shot attempts
- 6–7
- 46.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.4
- 23.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Graf | Barbashev |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-11 | SJS 2–7 VGK | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 0S |
| 2025-12-23 | SJS 2–7 VGK | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 2A 0S |
| 2025-11-29 | SJS 3–4 VGK | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-09 | SJS 3–4 VGK | 0G 0A 1S | 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.
Collin Graf
2games (1 left)
1.4proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to RW
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.4 ptsOpp allows 6th-most FP to RW
Ivan Barbashev
3games (1 left)
1.8proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 vs CHIOpp allows 2nd-most FP to LW
- Fri, Oct 2 vs ANAOpp allows 8th-most FP to LW
- Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.8 ptsOpp allows 5th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Collin Graf or Ivan Barbashev in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ivan Barbashev projects to 1.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Collin Graf's 1.35. Graf had 46 points in 81 games; Barbashev had 61 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, Collin Graf or Ivan Barbashev?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Ivan Barbashev leads in 22 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Graf and Barbashev done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Graf's team went 0–4. Graf had 2 points (2 goals) and Barbashev had 3 (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 →