Who to start · 2025-26
Noah Cates 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 Noah Cates's 1.33.
Cates had 47 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.
This week Cates has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Werenski has 1 left with 1 tough matchup. We project Werenski for 1.9 ESPN points to Cates's 1.5.
Zach Werenski has the better number in 26 of the 34 stats both are ranked on.
Cates's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 44, Hits 102, Blocked shots 51.
Werenski's biggest edges: 20+ mph bursts 123, Ascension score 51, Net penalties drawn /60 +0.09.
- • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 3 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Noah Cates
1.33
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 | Cates | Werenski |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.39 | 0.55 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.31 | 0.86 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.05 | 0.16 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.34 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.11 | 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: Cates vs Werenski
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2021-22 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Cates 4G 3A, 17 SOG · Werenski 7G 8A, 32 SOG
On the ice against each other (Cates's side)
10:08 at 5-on-5 over 3 games, 2025-26, from Cates's side
- Shot attempts
- 9–10
- 47.4%
- Expected goals
- 0.3–0.4
- 42.9%
- Goals
- 0–1
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Cates | Werenski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-24 | PHI 2–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 1G 1A 3S |
| 2026-03-14 | PHI 1–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2026-01-28 | PHI 3–5 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 2S |
| 2025-04-15 | PHI 0–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 2A 5S |
| 2025-01-14 | PHI 2–3 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 2G 0A 5S |
| 2024-12-21 | PHI 5–4 CBJ | 1G 1A 1S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2024-12-10 | PHI 5–3 CBJ | 1G 0A 2S | 1G 0A 2S |
| 2024-04-06 | PHI 2–6 CBJ | 0G 1A 4S | 2G 1A 2S |
| 2023-11-19 | PHI 5–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2023-10-12 | PHI 4–2 CBJ | 0G 0A 1S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2022-11-10 | PHI 2–5 CBJ | 0G 1A 3S | 1G 1A 2S |
| 2022-04-07 | PHI 4–1 CBJ | 1G 0A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
Latest 12 of 13 meetings.
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.
Noah Cates
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Wed, Sep 30 vs PITOpp allows the fewest FP to LWLikely vs Arturs Silovs (.888)
- Thu, Oct 1 @ NJDB2BOpp allows 9th-fewest FP to LWSchedule edge −9.3 win%Likely vs Jake Allen (.904)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs CAR1.5 ptsOpp allows 9th-most FP to LWSchedule edge +9.0 win%Likely vs Pyotr Kochetkov (.899)
Zach Werenski
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Thu, Oct 1 vs BUFOpp allows 11th-most FP to DLikely vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (.910)
- Sat, Oct 3 vs UTA1.9 ptsOpp allows 2nd-fewest FP to DLikely vs Karel Vejmelka (.897)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Noah Cates 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 Noah Cates's 1.33. Cates had 47 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, Noah Cates or Zach Werenski?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Zach Werenski leads in 26 of 34 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Cates and Werenski done against each other?
- In 13 games against each other in our data, Cates's team went 5–8. Cates had 7 points (4 goals) and Werenski had 15 (7 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 →