Who to start · 2025-26
Emil Heineman vs Will Smith
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Emil Heineman's 1.57.
Heineman had 31 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 games.
This week Heineman has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Smith has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Smith for 1.9 ESPN points to Heineman's 1.2.
Will Smith has the better number in 21 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Heineman's biggest edges: Hits 247, Blocked shots 54, Top skating speed 23.5.
Smith's biggest edges: Ascension score 64, Luck Meter +39, On-ice PDO 1033.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Emil Heineman
1.57
fantasy points per game
Will Smith
1.94
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Will Smith has the edge.
| Points per game from | Heineman | Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.63 | 0.90 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.10 | 0.54 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.02 | 0.15 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.21 | 0.24 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.30 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.31 | 0.08 |
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: Heineman vs Smith
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2024-25 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Heineman 1G 0A, 4 SOG · Smith 1G 2A, 13 SOG
On the ice against each other (Heineman's side)
10:14 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Heineman's side
- Shot attempts
- 10–10
- 50.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.4–0.7
- 37.1%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Heineman | Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-07 | NYI 2–1 SJS | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 5S |
| 2025-10-21 | NYI 4–3 SJS | 1G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 4S |
| 2025-02-27 | MTL 4–3 SJS | 0G 0A 2S | 1G 1A 4S |
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.
Emil Heineman
2games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 @ TOROpp allows 11th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs NJD1.2 ptsOpp allows 8th-fewest FP to LW
Will Smith
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs FLAOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to C
- Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 ptsOpp allows the most FP to C
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Emil Heineman or Will Smith in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Will Smith projects to 1.94 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Emil Heineman's 1.57. Heineman had 31 points in 82 games; Smith had 59 in 69 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, Emil Heineman or Will Smith?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Will Smith leads in 21 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Heineman and Smith done against each other?
- In 3 games against each other in our data, Heineman's team went 3–0. Heineman had 1 points (1 goals) and Smith had 3 (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 →