Who to start · 2025-26
Nazem Kadri vs Nick Schmaltz
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nazem Kadri's 1.63.
Kadri had 50 points in 77 games; Schmaltz had 74 in 82 games.
This week Kadri has 1 game left with 1 tough matchup; Schmaltz has 2 left. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Kadri's 1.3.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 24 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Kadri's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.89, Hits 50, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.53.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Goals above expected +5.3, Plus/minus +17, Luck Meter +44.
Head to head on the dot, Kadri leads Schmaltz 32–16.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nazem Kadri
1.63
fantasy points per game
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kadri | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.39 | 0.88 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.54 | 0.47 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.11 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.25 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.30 |
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: Kadri vs Schmaltz
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2017-18 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kadri 10G 13A, 84 SOG · Schmaltz 4G 10A, 50 SOG
Kadri's offensive zone 9–1 · neutral 9–10 · Kadri's defensive zone 14–5 (2017-18 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Kadri's side)
9:46 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kadri's side
- Shot attempts
- 5–8
- 38.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.0–0.2
- 0.5%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kadri | Schmaltz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-06 | CGY 2–0 UTA | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-15 | CGY 1–3 UTA | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 1A 6S |
| 2025-04-01 | CGY 1–3 UTA | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-01-02 | CGY 3–5 UTA | 0G 1A 6S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-10-30 | CGY 1–5 UTA | 0G 0A 4S | 0G 2A 3S |
| 2024-04-14 | CGY 6–5 ARI | 2G 1A 4S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-01-16 | CGY 3–2 ARI | 1G 1A 7S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2024-01-11 | CGY 6–2 ARI | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 5S |
| 2023-02-22 | CGY 6–3 ARI | 0G 1A 6S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2022-12-05 | CGY 3–2 ARI | 1G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2022-03-03 | COL 1–2 ARI | 0G 0A 4S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2022-02-01 | COL 2–3 ARI | 1G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
Latest 12 of 26 meetings.
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.
Nazem Kadri
2games (1 left)
1.3proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAKOpp allows the most FP to CLikely vs Darcy Kuemper (.891)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.3 ptsOpp allows 3rd-fewest FP to CSchedule edge +10.1 win%vs Jordan Binnington (.873)
Nick Schmaltz
3games (2 left)
3.1proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHIOpp allows 8th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.7 ptsOpp allows 16th-most FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B1.4 ptsOpp allows 15th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nazem Kadri or Nick Schmaltz in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nazem Kadri's 1.63. Kadri had 50 points in 77 games; Schmaltz had 74 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, Nazem Kadri or Nick Schmaltz?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 24 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Kadri and Schmaltz done against each other?
- In 26 games against each other in our data, Kadri's team went 17–9. Kadri had 23 points (10 goals) and Schmaltz had 14 (4 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Kadri or Schmaltz?
- Against each other, Kadri has won 32 and Schmaltz 16 of their 48 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 →