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Who to start · 2025-26

Brady Tkachuk vs Zach Werenski

Brady TkachukBrady TkachukPanthers · Left wingvsZach WerenskiZach WerenskiBlue Jackets · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brady Tkachuk's 2.16.

Tkachuk had 59 points in 60 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.

This week Tkachuk has 1 game left; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Tkachuk for 1.9 ESPN points to Werenski's 1.9.

Zach Werenski has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Tkachuk's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 71, Hits 162, Forecheck xG /60 0.42.

Werenski's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 123, Goals above expected +4.4, Top skating speed 23.1.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 5 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Brady Tkachuk

2.16

fantasy points per game

Zach Werenski

2.59

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromTkachukWerenski
Goals (+2)0.650.55
Assists (+1)0.540.86
Power-play points (+0.5)0.150.16
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.350.34
Hits (+0.1)0.290.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.170.62

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

Brady Tkachuk and Zach Werenski 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.

TkachukWerenski

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.

Brady Tkachuk

3games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ CAR
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to LWLikely vs Brandon Bussi (.895)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
    Opp allows 12th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA1.9 pts
    Likely vs Lukas Dostal (.888)

Zach Werenski

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to DLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.9 pts
    Opp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Brady Tkachuk or Zach Werenski in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Brady Tkachuk's 2.16. Tkachuk had 59 points in 60 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 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, Brady Tkachuk or Zach Werenski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Werenski leads in 18 of 34 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 →