Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Schmaltz vs Noah Cates
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.
Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Cates had 47 in 82 games.
This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Cates has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schmaltz for 3.1 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 30 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 208, Corsi 55.9%, Hardest shot 89.3.
Cates's biggest edges: Hits 102, Penalty minutes 44, On-ice PDO 1026.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Noah Cates
1.33
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schmaltz | Cates |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.88 | 0.39 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.47 | 0.31 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.05 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.11 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 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: Schmaltz 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.
Schmaltz 1G 6A, 16 SOG · Cates 0G 0A, 7 SOG
Schmaltz's offensive zone 0–1 · neutral 1–3 · Schmaltz's defensive zone 3–1 (2024-25 to 2025-26)
On the ice against each other (Schmaltz's side)
9:55 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side
- Shot attempts
- 11–9
- 55.0%
- Expected goals
- 0.7–0.3
- 69.7%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmaltz | Cates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-05 | UTA 3–0 PHI | 1G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2026-01-21 | UTA 5–4 PHI | 0G 2A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2025-02-04 | UTA 3–2 PHI | 0G 0A 5S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2024-12-08 | UTA 4–2 PHI | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2024-02-12 | ARI 3–5 PHI | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2023-01-05 | ARI 2–6 PHI | 0G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2022-12-11 | ARI 5–4 PHI | 0G 2A 2S | 0G 0A 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.
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)
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Noah Cates 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 Noah Cates's 1.33. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 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, Nick Schmaltz or Noah Cates?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 30 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schmaltz and Cates done against each other?
- In 7 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 5–2. Schmaltz had 7 points (1 goals) and Cates had 0 (0 goals).
- Who wins more faceoffs, Schmaltz or Cates?
- Against each other, Schmaltz has won 4 and Cates 5 of their 9 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 →