Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Alexander Nikishin vs Quinn Hughes

Alexander NikishinAlexander NikishinHurricanes · DefencevsQuinn HughesQuinn HughesWild · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50.

Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 games.

This week Nikishin has 1 game left; Hughes has 1 left. We project Hughes for 2.1 ESPN points to Nikishin's 1.4.

Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 18 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Nikishin's biggest edges: Goals above expected +2.7, Hits 132, Luck Meter +25.

Hughes's biggest edges: Ice-time share 45.5%, Ice time per game 27:44, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.47.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Alexander Nikishin

1.50

fantasy points per game

Quinn Hughes

2.20

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Quinn Hughes has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromNikishinHughes
Goals (+2)0.270.19
Assists (+1)0.270.93
Power-play points (+0.5)0.060.23
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.150.25
Hits (+0.1)0.160.01
Blocks (+0.5)0.580.59

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 Quinn Hughes 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.

NikishinHughes

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)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.4 pts
    Schedule edge −9.3 win%

Quinn Hughes

2games (1 left)

2.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NSH
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs BOS2.1 pts
    Schedule edge +9.3 win%

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Quinn Hughes in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Quinn Hughes projects to 2.16 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Alexander Nikishin's 1.50. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Hughes had 76 in 74 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 Quinn Hughes?
On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 18 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 →