Who to start · 2025-26
Connor Bedard vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor Bedard projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
Bedard had 75 points in 69 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week Bedard has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Bedard for 2.4 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Connor Bedard has the better number in 20 of the 35 stats both are ranked on.
Bedard's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 195, Hardest shot 90.7, Transition attempts /60 1.85.
Cates's biggest edges: Plus/minus +26, High-danger chances 52.6%, Expected goals 53.9%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Connor Bedard
2.24
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.45
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Connor Bedard has the edge.
| Points per game from | Bedard | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.87 | 0.44 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.65 | 0.35 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.33 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.04 | 0.12 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.20 | 0.31 |
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: Bedard 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.
Bedard 2G 2A, 15 SOG · Cates 2G 3A, 10 SOG
Bedard's offensive zone 3–1 · neutral 0–0 · Bedard's defensive zone 0–1 (2024-25 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Bedard's side)
2:38 at 5-on-5 over 1 games, 2025-26, from Bedard's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–2
- 66.7%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.0
- 81.5%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Bedard | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-26 | CHI 1–5 PHI | 1G 0A 4S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2025-03-23 | CHI 7–4 PHI | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2024-11-23 | CHI 2–3 PHI | 0G 0A 0S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-03-30 | CHI 5–1 PHI | 0G 1A 6S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-02-21 | CHI 1–3 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
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.
Connor Bedard
3games (1 left)
2.4proj. ESPN pts
- Tue, Sep 29 @ VGKOpp allows 14th-fewest FP to C
- Thu, Oct 1 @ UTAOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 @ BUF2.4 ptsOpp allows 5th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LW
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Connor Bedard or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Connor Bedard projects to 2.24 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Bedard had 75 points in 69 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, Connor Bedard or Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Connor Bedard leads in 20 of 35 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Bedard and Cates done against each other?
- In 5 games against each other in our data, Bedard's team went 2–3. Bedard had 4 points (2 goals) and Cates had 5 (2 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Bedard or Cates?
- Against each other, Bedard has won 3 and Cates 2 of their 5 head-to-head draws.
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 →