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Who to start · 2025-26

Josh Manson vs Noah Cates

Josh MansonJosh MansonAvalanche · DefencevsNoah CatesNoah CatesFlyers · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Josh Manson projects to 1.48 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.

Manson had 31 points in 79 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.

This week Manson has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Cates for 1.5 ESPN points to Manson's 1.1.

They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.

Manson's biggest edges: Corsi 57.3%, 20+ mph bursts 60, Hardest shot 95.4.

Cates's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 58.9%, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031, Power-play time per game 2:02.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Josh Manson

1.48

fantasy points per game

Noah Cates

1.33

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Josh Manson has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromMansonCates
Goals (+2)0.120.39
Assists (+1)0.370.31
Power-play points (+0.5)0.000.05
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.160.16
Hits (+0.1)0.210.11
Blocks (+0.5)0.620.30

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: Manson 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.

MansonCates
4Team record in 5 meetings1
2Points in those games2

Manson 0G 2A, 9 SOG · Cates 0G 2A, 8 SOG

1Hits on each other0
0Shots blocked by the other1

Manson blocked 0 of Cates's shots; Cates blocked 1 of Manson's.

On the ice against each other (Manson's side)

9:27 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Manson's side

Shot attempts
10–9
52.6%
Expected goals
0.2–0.1
63.5%
Goals
0–0

Games against each other

Games between Josh Manson and Noah Cates
DateScoreMansonCates
2026-01-23COL 3–7 PHI0G 0A 2S0G 1A 0S
2025-12-07COL 3–2 PHI0G 0A 3S0G 0A 2S
2025-02-02COL 2–0 PHI0G 0A 3S0G 0A 4S
2024-11-18COL 3–2 PHI0G 0A 1S0G 0A 0S
2024-01-20COL 7–4 PHI0G 2A 0S0G 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.

MansonCates

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.

Josh Manson

2games (1 left)

1.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
    Opp allows 3rd-most FP to DLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.1 pts
    Opp allows 4th-fewest FP to DSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)

Noah Cates

3games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Josh Manson or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Josh Manson projects to 1.48 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Manson had 31 points in 79 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, Josh Manson or Noah Cates?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
How have Manson and Cates done against each other?
In 5 games against each other in our data, Manson's team went 4–1. Manson had 2 points (0 goals) and Cates had 2 (0 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 →