Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Ian Cole vs Mitch Marner

Ian ColeIan ColeBlackhawks · DefencevsMitch MarnerMitch MarnerGolden Knights · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mitch Marner projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30.

Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Marner had 80 in 81 games.

This week Cole has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Marner has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Marner for 2.3 ESPN points to Cole's 1.5.

Mitch Marner has the better number in 27 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cole's biggest edges: Forecheck xG /60 0.39, Hits 73, Transition attempts /60 0.50.

Marner's biggest edges: Power-play time per game 3:32, Offensive-zone time 45.6%, Power-play share 80.1%.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 5 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Ian Cole

1.30

fantasy points per game

Mitch Marner

1.88

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Mitch Marner has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromColeMarner
Goals (+2)0.060.52
Assists (+1)0.220.67
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.16
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.070.21
Hits (+0.1)0.080.03
Blocks (+0.5)0.870.28

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

Ian Cole and Mitch Marner 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.

ColeMarner

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.

Ian Cole

3games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ VGK
    Opp allows 5th-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 8th-most FP to DSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)

Mitch Marner

3games (1 left)

2.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
    Opp allows 4th-most FP to RWLikely vs Spencer Knight (.902)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
    Likely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN2.3 pts
    Opp allows 7th-most FP to RWSchedule edge +9.3 win%Likely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Ian Cole or Mitch Marner in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Mitch Marner projects to 1.88 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30. Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Marner had 80 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, Ian Cole or Mitch Marner?
On 2025-26 numbers, Mitch Marner leads in 27 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 →