Who to start · 2025-26
Nick Schmaltz vs Zach Werenski
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nick Schmaltz's 2.05.
Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.
This week Schmaltz has 2 games left; Werenski has 1 left. We project Schmaltz for 4.1 ESPN points to Werenski's 2.5.
Nick Schmaltz has the better number in 18 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Schmaltz's biggest edges: Turnover Ledger /60 +0.052, Penalty minutes 28, Blocked shots 52.
Werenski's biggest edges: Transition attempts /60 1.01, Ascension score 51, Hits 30.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 2 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Nick Schmaltz
2.05
fantasy points per game
Zach Werenski
2.59
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.
| Points per game from | Schmaltz | Werenski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.88 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.47 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.11 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.25 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.04 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.30 | 0.62 |
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 Werenski
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.
Schmaltz 2G 3A, 19 SOG · Werenski 4G 6A, 30 SOG
Schmaltz blocked 2 of Werenski's shots; Werenski blocked 1 of Schmaltz's.
On the ice against each other (Schmaltz's side)
17:19 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Schmaltz's side
- Shot attempts
- 20–12
- 62.5%
- Expected goals
- 0.6–0.5
- 55.4%
- Goals
- 2–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Schmaltz | Werenski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-07 | UTA 5–4 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-11 | UTA 2–3 CBJ | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 1A 3S |
| 2025-02-06 | UTA 3–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 1A 1S |
| 2025-01-31 | UTA 2–3 CBJ | 1G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 5S |
| 2024-03-26 | ARI 6–2 CBJ | 1G 1A 1S | 1G 1A 4S |
| 2023-11-16 | ARI 3–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 3S | 0G 1A 2S |
| 2021-10-14 | ARI 2–8 CBJ | 0G 0A 3S | 1G 1A 1S |
| 2019-11-07 | ARI 2–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2018-10-20 | CHI 4–1 CBJ | 0G 1A 2S | 1G 0A 4S |
| 2018-02-24 | CHI 2–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2017-10-07 | CHI 5–1 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 6S |
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)
4.1proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs CHI
- Sat, Oct 3 @ CBJ2.0 ptsSchedule edge −1.0 win%
- Sun, Oct 4 @ NYRB2B2.0 ptsSchedule edge −9.3 win%
Zach Werenski
2games (1 left)
2.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUF
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA2.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Nick Schmaltz or Zach Werenski in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Zach Werenski projects to 2.59 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Nick Schmaltz's 2.05. Schmaltz had 74 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 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 Zach Werenski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Nick Schmaltz leads in 18 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Schmaltz and Werenski done against each other?
- In 11 games against each other in our data, Schmaltz's team went 6–5. Schmaltz had 5 points (2 goals) and Werenski had 10 (4 goals).
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 →