Who to start · 2025-26
Bobby McMann vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bobby McMann projects to 1.54 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
McMann had 46 points in 78 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week McMann has 2 games left with 1 soft matchup; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project McMann for 3.6 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Noah Cates has the better number in 23 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
McMann's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 267, Transition attempts /60 2.34, Hardest shot 89.2.
Cates's biggest edges: Expected goals 53.9%, Sequence xG 53.6%, Faceoffs won 467.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Bobby McMann
1.54
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Bobby McMann has the edge.
| Points per game from | McMann | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.70 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.20 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.24 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.20 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.16 | 0.30 |
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: McMann vs Cates
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2023-24 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
McMann 1G 1A, 10 SOG · Cates 1G 4A, 16 SOG
McMann blocked 0 of Cates's shots; Cates blocked 1 of McMann's.
On the ice against each other (McMann's side)
6:11 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from McMann's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–6
- 53.8%
- Expected goals
- 0.2–0.5
- 26.0%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | McMann | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-02 | TOR 2–3 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2026-01-08 | TOR 2–1 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2025-11-01 | TOR 5–2 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2025-03-25 | TOR 7–2 PHI | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-01-07 | TOR 3–2 PHI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-05 | TOR 3–2 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2024-03-19 | TOR 3–4 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-03-14 | TOR 6–2 PHI | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-02-15 | TOR 4–3 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 3S |
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.
Bobby McMann
3games (2 left)
3.6proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 @ CGYOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ EDM1.8 ptsOpp allows 12th-most FP to CLikely vs Tristan Jarry (.882)
- Sun, Oct 4 vs CGYB2B1.8 ptsOpp allows 2nd-most FP to CLikely vs Dustin Wolf (.899)
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +12.9 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Bobby McMann or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Bobby McMann projects to 1.54 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. McMann had 46 points in 78 games; Cates had 47 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, Bobby McMann or Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Noah Cates leads in 23 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have McMann and Cates done against each other?
- In 9 games against each other in our data, McMann's team went 7–2. McMann had 2 points (1 goals) and Cates had 5 (1 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 →