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Who to start · 2025-26

John Tavares vs Zach Werenski

John TavaresJohn TavaresMaple Leafs · CentrevsZach 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 John Tavares's 1.80.

Tavares had 71 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.

This week Tavares has 1 game left; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Werenski for 1.9 ESPN points to Tavares's 1.7.

Zach Werenski has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Tavares's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 28, Hits 74, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.027.

Werenski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.01, Plus/minus +7, Scoring chances 55.6%.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

John Tavares

1.80

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 fromTavaresWerenski
Goals (+2)0.670.55
Assists (+1)0.490.86
Power-play points (+0.5)0.110.16
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.240.34
Hits (+0.1)0.090.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.220.62

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

John Tavares 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.

TavaresWerenski

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.

John Tavares

3games (1 left)

1.7proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs MTL
    Opp allows 14th-most FP to CLikely vs Jakub Dobes (.901)
  • Wed, Sep 30 vs NYIB2B
    Opp allows 15th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Ilya Sorokin (.906)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs OTT1.7 pts
    Likely vs Linus Ullmark (.891)

Zach Werenski

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
    Opp allows 11th-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 John Tavares 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 John Tavares's 1.80. Tavares had 71 points in 82 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, John Tavares or Zach Werenski?
On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Werenski leads in 26 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 →