Who to start · 2025-26
Denver Barkey vs Ryan McLeod
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ryan McLeod projects to 1.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Denver Barkey's 0.88.
Barkey had 17 points in 43 games; McLeod had 54 in 81 games.
This week Barkey has 2 games left; McLeod has 2 left with 1 soft and 1 tough matchups. In ESPN default points scoring we project Barkey for 2.0 to McLeod's 1.9 over the games left.
Ryan McLeod has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Barkey's biggest edges: Offensive-zone time 44.0%, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.31, Ascension score 46.
McLeod's biggest edges: On-ice PDO 1030, 20+ mph bursts 316, Faceoffs won 612.
In standard categories (G, A, +/-, PPP, SOG, HIT), the default in Who Should I Start, Denver Barkey rates ahead, -2.5 to -2.6 in summed category z-scores.
Role trend over the last 5 games: Barkey is steady, PP1 in 4 of last 5 (was 0 of 20); McLeod is cooling, −0:56 PP TOI.
- • 2026-27 so far: 8 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 2 PPP, 4 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 9 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 7 SOG.
Philadelphia Flyers · Buffalo Sabres · Who should I start? · Compare other players
Fantasy value: your scoring
Denver Barkey
-2.5
category z-score total
Ryan McLeod
-2.6
category z-score total
Under Standard (6 categories), Denver Barkey has the edge (Barkey wins 2, McLeod wins 4 of 6 categories).
| Category | Barkey | McLeod |
|---|---|---|
| Goals / game | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Assists / game | 0.31 | 0.35 |
| Plus/minus / game | -0.13 | -0.06 |
| Power-play points / game | 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Shots on goal / game | 0.83 | 0.99 |
| Hits / game | 0.96 | 0.29 |
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 scoring choice is shared with Who Should I Start: saved on this device, and on your account when you are signed in.
Head-to-head
Denver Barkey and Ryan McLeod 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
Oct 19 to Oct 25. 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 cover the games left: Edgehalla's rest-of-season rates per game, adjusted for each opponent's scoring allowed, in ESPN default points.
Scored in ESPN default points (G 2, A 1, PPP 0.5, SHP 0.5, SOG 0.1, HIT 0.1, BLK 0.5). Use your league's scoring
Denver Barkey
3games (2 left)
2.0proj. ESPN default pts
- Mon, Oct 19 vs COLOpp allows 15th-most FP to CLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
- Wed, Oct 21 @ BUF1.0 pts
- Sat, Oct 24 vs ANA1.0 pts
Ryan McLeod
2games
1.9proj. ESPN default pts
- Wed, Oct 21 vs PHI1.1 pts
- Sat, Oct 24 @ WSH0.8 ptsOpp allows 7th-fewest FP to CLikely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Denver Barkey or Ryan McLeod in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Ryan McLeod projects to 1.01 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Denver Barkey's 0.88. Barkey had 17 points in 43 games; McLeod had 54 in 81 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, Denver Barkey or Ryan McLeod?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Ryan McLeod leads in 23 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 →