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Who to start · 2025-26

Ian Cole vs Vasily Podkolzin

Ian ColeIan ColeBlackhawks · DefencevsVasily PodkolzinVasily PodkolzinOilers · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vasily Podkolzin projects to 1.91 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30.

Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Podkolzin had 37 in 82 games.

This week Cole has 1 game left; Podkolzin has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Cole for 1.5 ESPN points to Podkolzin's 1.3.

Vasily Podkolzin has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cole's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Transition attempts /60 0.50, High-danger chances 56.7%.

Podkolzin's biggest edges: Ascension score 78, Hardest shot 91.1, 20+ mph bursts 191.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 3 PPP, 11 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Ian Cole

1.30

fantasy points per game

Vasily Podkolzin

1.91

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Vasily Podkolzin has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromColePodkolzin
Goals (+2)0.060.76
Assists (+1)0.220.25
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.10
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.070.21
Hits (+0.1)0.080.30
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: Cole vs Podkolzin

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

ColePodkolzin
2Team record in 8 meetings6
2Points in those games4

Cole 0G 2A, 6 SOG · Podkolzin 3G 1A, 9 SOG

0Hits on each other1
2Shots blocked by the other0

Cole blocked 2 of Podkolzin's shots; Podkolzin blocked 0 of Cole's.

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

4:58 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Cole's side

Shot attempts
7–5
58.3%
Expected goals
0.4–0.3
57.9%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Ian Cole and Vasily Podkolzin
DateScoreColePodkolzin
2026-04-07UTA 6–5 EDM0G 1A 1S1G 0A 2S
2026-03-24UTA 2–5 EDM0G 1A 0S0G 0A 0S
2025-10-28UTA 3–6 EDM0G 0A 2S0G 0A 0S
2025-03-18UTA 1–7 EDM0G 0A 0S1G 0A 1S
2024-12-31UTA 1–4 EDM0G 0A 1S0G 1A 3S
2024-11-29UTA 3–4 EDM0G 0A 1S1G 0A 1S
2022-01-15CAR 4–1 VAN0G 0A 0S0G 0A 0S
2021-12-12CAR 1–2 VAN0G 0A 1S0G 0A 2S

Every stat, side by side

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

ColePodkolzin

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 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)

Vasily Podkolzin

3games (1 left)

1.3proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs VAN
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to RWLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ VAN
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to RWLikely vs Kevin Lankinen (.875)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs SEA1.3 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to RWLikely vs Joey Daccord (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Ian Cole or Vasily Podkolzin in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Vasily Podkolzin projects to 1.91 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ian Cole's 1.30. Cole had 23 points in 82 games; Podkolzin had 37 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, Ian Cole or Vasily Podkolzin?
On 2025-26 numbers, Vasily Podkolzin leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
How have Cole and Podkolzin done against each other?
In 8 games against each other in our data, Cole's team went 2–6. Cole had 2 points (0 goals) and Podkolzin had 4 (3 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 →