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Who to start · 2025-26

Nick Schmaltz vs Quinton Byfield

Nick SchmaltzNick SchmaltzMammoth · CentrevsQuinton ByfieldQuinton ByfieldKings · Right wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Quinton Byfield's 1.57.

Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Byfield had 49 in 79 games.

This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Byfield has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Schmaltz for 3.8 ESPN points to Byfield's 1.4.

Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 28 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Schmaltz's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 65.4%, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052, Offensive-zone time 45.4%.

Byfield's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.78, Hits 66, Ascension score 56.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Nick Schmaltz

2.05

fantasy points per game

Quinton Byfield

1.57

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchmaltzByfield
Goals (+2)0.880.57
Assists (+1)0.470.30
Power-play points (+0.5)0.110.07
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.250.23
Hits (+0.1)0.030.08
Blocks (+0.5)0.300.32

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

Nick Schmaltz and Quinton Byfield 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.

SchmaltzByfield

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.

Nick Schmaltz

3games (2 left)

3.8proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to CLikely vs Arvid Soderblom (.880)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.8 pts
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%Likely vs Jet Greaves (.908)
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 pts
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Igor Shesterkin (.912)

Quinton Byfield

2games (1 left)

1.4proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 @ COL
    Opp allows 8th-most FP to RWLikely vs Mackenzie Blackwood (.903)
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ SJS1.4 pts
    Opp allows 7th-fewest FP to RWSchedule edge −3.2 win%Likely vs Yaroslav Askarov (.884)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Quinton Byfield 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 Quinton Byfield's 1.57. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Byfield had 49 in 79 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 Quinton Byfield?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 28 of 36 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 →