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Who to start · 2025-26

Nick Schmaltz vs William Eklund

Nick SchmaltzNick SchmaltzMammoth · CentrevsWilliam EklundWilliam EklundSharks · Left wing

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Nick Schmaltz projects to 2.05 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to William Eklund's 1.62.

Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Eklund had 53 in 78 games.

This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Eklund has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Schmaltz for 3.8 ESPN points to Eklund's 1.9.

Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 28 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.

Schmaltz's biggest edges: Plus/minus +17, Goals above expected +4.2, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052.

Eklund's biggest edges: Hits 72, Transition attempts /60 1.19, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.37.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Nick Schmaltz

2.04

fantasy points per game

William Eklund

1.62

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Nick Schmaltz has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromSchmaltzEklund
Goals (+2)0.800.38
Assists (+1)0.500.49
Power-play points (+0.5)0.120.10
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.250.23
Hits (+0.1)0.030.09
Blocks (+0.5)0.320.33

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 William Eklund 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.

SchmaltzEklund

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 C
  • Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ1.8 pts
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 pts
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to CSchedule edge −9.3 win%

William Eklund

2games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Thu, Oct 1 vs FLA
    Opp allows 13th-most FP to LW
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs LAK1.9 pts
    Opp allows the most FP to LW

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Nick Schmaltz or William Eklund 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 William Eklund's 1.62. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Eklund had 53 in 78 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 William Eklund?
On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 28 of 33 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 →