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Who to start · 2025-26

Noah Cates vs Travis Sanheim

Noah CatesNoah CatesFlyers · Left wingvsTravis SanheimTravis SanheimFlyers · Defence

Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Travis Sanheim projects to 1.84 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33.

Cates had 47 points in 82 games; Sanheim had 37 in 81 games.

This week Cates has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Sanheim has 1 left with 1 soft matchup. We project Sanheim for 2.1 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.

Noah Cates has the better number in 20 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.

Cates's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 58.9%, Penalty minutes 44, Turnover Ledger /60 +0.031.

Sanheim's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 104, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.12, Hardest shot 94.8.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 6 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Noah Cates

1.33

fantasy points per game

Travis Sanheim

1.84

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Travis Sanheim has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromCatesSanheim
Goals (+2)0.390.36
Assists (+1)0.310.34
Power-play points (+0.5)0.050.02
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.010.02
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.160.14
Hits (+0.1)0.110.05
Blocks (+0.5)0.300.92

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: Cates vs Sanheim

Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2022-23 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.

CatesSanheim
2Shots blocked by the other0

Cates blocked 2 of Sanheim's shots; Sanheim blocked 0 of Cates's.

5Goals set up by the other6

Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).

On the ice together

405:27 at 5-on-5 over 89 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27

Shot attempts
300–369
44.8%
Expected goals
13.9–13.1
51.4%
Goals
19–11

Every stat, side by side

Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.

CatesSanheim

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 LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 pts
    Opp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

Travis Sanheim

3games (1 left)

2.1proj. ESPN pts

  • Wed, Sep 30 vs PIT
    Opp allows the fewest FP to DLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
  • Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2B
    Opp allows 6th-most FP to DSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
  • Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR2.1 pts
    Opp allows 10th-most FP to DSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)

Similar matchups

FAQ

Should I start Noah Cates or Travis Sanheim in fantasy hockey?
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Travis Sanheim projects to 1.84 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Noah Cates's 1.33. Cates had 47 points in 82 games; Sanheim had 37 in 81 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 Travis Sanheim?
On 2025-26 numbers, Noah Cates leads in 20 of 34 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 →