Who to start · 2025-26
Ryan Hartman vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Hartman's 1.73.
Hartman had 43 points in 76 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Hartman has 1 game left; Smith has 1 left. We project Hartman for 1.6 ESPN points to Smith's 1.6.
Will Smith has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Hartman's biggest edges: Blocked shots 95, Penalty minutes 48, High-danger chances 52.3%.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, Offensive-zone start % 68.9%, On-ice PDO 1033.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Ryan Hartman
1.73
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.
| Points per game from | Hartman | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.57 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.25 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.04 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.59 | 0.08 |
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: Hartman vs Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Hartman 1G 1A, 8 SOG · Smith 2G 3A, 7 SOG
Hartman blocked 1 of Smith's shots; Smith blocked 0 of Hartman's.
On the ice against each other (Hartman's side)
6:23 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Hartman's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–8
- 52.9%
- Expected goals
- 0.8–0.1
- 87.3%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Hartman | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-11 | MIN 1–2 SJS | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 1S |
| 2025-10-26 | MIN 5–6 SJS | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-04-09 | MIN 8–7 SJS | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 3A 3S |
| 2025-01-11 | MIN 3–1 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-11-07 | MIN 5–2 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
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.
Ryan Hartman
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
- Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS1.6 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.6 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Ryan Hartman or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Ryan Hartman's 1.73. Hartman had 43 points in 76 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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, Ryan Hartman or Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Will Smith leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Hartman and Smith done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Hartman's team went 3–2. Hartman had 2 points (1 goals) and Smith had 5 (2 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 →