Who to start · 2025-26
Nazem Kadri vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nazem Kadri projects to 1.63 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
Kadri had 50 points in 77 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week Kadri has 1 game left; Cates has 1 left. We project Kadri for 1.6 ESPN points to Cates's 1.2.
Nazem Kadri has the better number in 20 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Kadri's biggest edges: Net penalties drawn /60 +0.53, Transition attempts /60 1.89, Ascension score 48.
Cates's biggest edges: Plus/minus +26, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031, On-ice PDO 1026.
Head to head on the dot, Kadri leads Cates 17–14.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nazem Kadri
1.63
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nazem Kadri has the edge.
| Points per game from | Kadri | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.39 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.54 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.18 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.27 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.07 | 0.11 |
| 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 Cates
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Kadri 3G 2A, 11 SOG · Cates 1G 3A, 11 SOG
Kadri's offensive zone 4–5 · neutral 10–7 · Kadri's defensive zone 3–2 (2022-23 to 2025-26)
Kadri blocked 0 of Cates's shots; Cates blocked 1 of Kadri's.
On the ice against each other (Kadri's side)
8:28 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Kadri's side
- Shot attempts
- 7–4
- 63.6%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.0
- 67.9%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Kadri | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | CGY 5–1 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2025-11-02 | CGY 2–1 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-03-04 | CGY 6–3 PHI | 1G 1A 3S | 1G 0A 3S |
| 2024-10-12 | CGY 6–3 PHI | 2G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-02-20 | CGY 3–4 PHI | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2022-11-21 | CGY 5–2 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 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.
Nazem Kadri
2games (1 left)
1.6proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.6 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.2proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BSchedule edge −9.3 win%
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.2 ptsSchedule edge +9.3 win%
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nazem Kadri or Noah Cates in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nazem Kadri projects to 1.63 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Kadri had 50 points in 77 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, Nazem Kadri or Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nazem Kadri leads in 20 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 Cates done against each other?
- In 6 games against each other in our data, Kadri's team went 5–1. Kadri had 5 points (3 goals) and Cates had 4 (1 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Kadri or Cates?
- Against each other, Kadri has won 17 and Cates 14 of their 31 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 →