Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Noah Cates vs Sam Bennett

Noah CatesNoah CatesFlyers · Left wingvsSam BennettSam BennettPanthers · Centre

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Bennett projects to 1.74 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.

Cates had 47 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 games.

This week Cates has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Bennett has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Bennett for 1.9 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.

Sam Bennett has the better number in 25 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.

Cates's biggest edges: Plus/minus +26, Blocked shots 51, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.23.

Bennett's biggest edges: Hardest shot 92.9, Corsi 53.1%, Offensive-zone time 45.6%.

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

Fantasy value: your scoring

Noah Cates

1.33

fantasy points per game

Sam Bennett

1.74

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Sam Bennett has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromCatesBennett
Goals (+2)0.390.60
Assists (+1)0.310.43
Power-play points (+0.5)0.050.09
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.00
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.160.25
Hits (+0.1)0.110.19
Blocks (+0.5)0.300.19

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

Noah Cates and Sam Bennett 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.

CatesBennett

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.

Noah Cates

3games (1 left)

1.5proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to LW
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.3 win%

Sam Bennett

3games (1 left)

1.9proj. ESPN pts

  • Tue, Sep 29 @ CAR
    Opp allows 13th-fewest FP to C
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ SJS
    Opp allows 12th-fewest FP to CSchedule edge −1.0 win%
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ ANA1.9 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to C

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Noah Cates or Sam Bennett in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Sam Bennett projects to 1.74 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Cates had 47 points in 82 games; Bennett had 58 in 76 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, Noah Cates or Sam Bennett?
On 2025-26 numbers, Sam Bennett leads in 25 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 →