Matthew Kessel — Stats & Advanced Analytics
Matthew Kessel is an NHL defenseman for the St. Louis Blues. In the 2025-26 season Matthew Kessel has 2 goals, 1 assists and 3 points in 29 games, worth -0.6 Goals Above Replacement.
Player Overview
Matthew Kessel is a young defenseman who has played 99 career games across four seasons since being drafted in 2020. At 6'3" and 212 pounds, he brings size to the blueline, contributing 13 points in his career as he continues to develop.
In his current season, Kessel has appeared in 29 games, recording 3 points and an overall GAR of 0.1. His even-strength defense is noted as a component of his game, though it registers a neutral impact. He projects as a depth blueliner with minimal current impact.
Player Profile
| Position | Defenseman |
|---|---|
| Team | St. Louis Blues |
| Shoots / Catches | R |
| Height | 6'3" |
| Weight | 212 lb |
| Draft | 2020 — Round 5, Pick 150 — STL |
2025-26 Season Stats
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | Shots | S% | TOI/GP | CF% | xG | Game Score | GAR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 | 10 | 20 | 10.0% | 12:32 | 44.9% | 1.0 | 0.1 | -0.6 | -0.11 |
GAR Component Breakdown
| Even-Strength Offense | Even-Strength Defense | Power-Play Offense | Shorthanded Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| -0.2 | +3.2 | +0.0 | +0.0 |
League percentile rank: points 3th, GAR 42th, WAR 42th (100th = league leader).
Career by Season (Regular Season)
| Season | GP | G | A | P | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -0.6 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -0.2 |
| 2023-24 | 39 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -0.9 |
| 2022-23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.2 |
Analysis
In the 2025-26 season Matthew Kessel has been worth -0.6 Goals Above Replacement, which ranks in the 42nd percentile leaguewide.
His value is driven primarily by even-strength defense (+3.2 GAR), while his even-strength offense grades below replacement (-0.2).
Across 4 tracked seasons his GAR peaked at -0.2 in 2024-25.
All figures are model outputs from Hockey Alchemy. Learn how the value metrics are built on the methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Matthew Kessel's GAR this season?
Matthew Kessel has been worth -0.6 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) in the 2025-26 season, in the 42nd percentile of NHL players.
How many points does Matthew Kessel have this season?
Matthew Kessel has 2 goals and 1 assists for 3 points in 29 games this season.
Is Matthew Kessel a good defenseman?
Matthew Kessel ranks in the 42nd percentile among NHL skaters by GAR (-0.6) in the 2025-26 season.