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Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Cole Caufield

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsCole CaufieldCole CaufieldCanadiens · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cole Caufield projects to 2.29 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Caufield had 88 in 81 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Caufield has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Nikishin for 1.7 ESPN points to Caufield's 1.6.

Cole Caufield has the better number in 17 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Faceoffs won 0, Hits 132, High-danger chances 53.8%.

Caufield's biggest edges: Ice-time share 29.8%, Ice time per game 18:11, On-ice PDO 1042.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Cole Caufield

2.40

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Cole Caufield has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinCaufield
Goals (+2)0.271.26
Assists (+1)0.270.46
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.18
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.32
Hits (+0.1)0.160.06
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.13

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

Alexander Nikishin and Cole Caufield 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.

NikishinCaufield

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.

Alexander Nikishin

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to DLikely vs Jacob Markstrom (.883)
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
    Likely vs Logan Thompson (.912)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.7 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-most FP to DSchedule edge −12.8 win%Likely vs Dan Vladar (.906)

Cole Caufield

2games (1 left)

1.6proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ TOR
    Opp allows 11th-most FP to RWLikely vs Sergei Bobrovsky (.877)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PIT1.6 pts
    Opp allows the fewest FP to RWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Cole Caufield in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Cole Caufield projects to 2.29 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Caufield had 88 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, Alexander Nikishin or Cole Caufield?
On 2025-26 numbers, Cole Caufield leads in 17 of 33 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 →