Edgehalla

Who to start · 2025-26

Tomas Hertl 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 Tomas Hertl's 1.88.

Hertl had 58 points in 82 games; Werenski had 81 in 75 games.

This week Hertl has 1 game left; Werenski has 1 left. We project Werenski for 2.5 ESPN points to Hertl's 1.8.

They split the 34 stats both are ranked on 17–17.

Hertl's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 39, Hits 114, Ascension score 61.

Werenski's biggest edges: Goals above expected +4.3, Luck Meter +53, Top skating speed 23.1.

  • • 2026-27 so far: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PPP, 9 SOG.
  • • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 3 SOG.

Fantasy value: your scoring

Tomas Hertl

1.88

fantasy points per game

Zach Werenski

2.59

fantasy points per game

Under ESPN default points, Zach Werenski has the edge.

Per-stat breakdown under ESPN default points
Points per game fromHertlWerenski
Goals (+2)0.630.55
Assists (+1)0.370.86
Power-play points (+0.5)0.170.16
Shorthanded points (+0.5)0.000.01
Shots on goal (+0.1)0.270.34
Hits (+0.1)0.140.04
Blocks (+0.5)0.300.62

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: Hertl 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.

HertlWerenski
6Team record in 11 meetings5
9Points in those games6

Hertl 2G 7A, 22 SOG · Werenski 2G 4A, 31 SOG

0Hits on each other1
2Shots blocked by the other2

Hertl blocked 2 of Werenski's shots; Werenski blocked 2 of Hertl's.

On the ice against each other (Hertl's side)

9:42 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Hertl's side

Shot attempts
13–4
76.5%
Expected goals
0.6–0.2
78.1%
Goals
2–0

Games against each other

Games between Tomas Hertl and Zach Werenski
DateScoreHertlWerenski
2026-01-08VGK 5–3 CBJ0G 2A 5S0G 1A 1S
2025-12-13VGK 3–2 CBJ0G 0A 0S0G 1A 2S
2025-03-13VGK 4–0 CBJ0G 2A 2S0G 0A 4S
2025-01-30VGK 1–2 CBJ1G 0A 2S0G 1A 3S
2021-12-05SJS 4–6 CBJ1G 0A 3S0G 0A 1S
2020-01-09SJS 3–1 CBJ0G 1A 2S0G 0A 6S
2020-01-04SJS 3–2 CBJ0G 1A 1S2G 0A 5S
2019-02-23SJS 0–4 CBJ0G 0A 3S0G 1A 2S
2018-11-01SJS 1–4 CBJ0G 0A 2S0G 0A 1S
2018-03-04SJS 2–4 CBJ0G 0A 1S0G 0A 3S
2018-02-02SJS 3–1 CBJ0G 1A 1S0G 0A 3S

Every stat, side by side

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

HertlWerenski

Fantasy box score

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.

Tomas Hertl

3games (1 left)

1.8proj. ESPN pts (season rate)

  • Tue, Sep 29 vs CHI
  • Fri, Oct 2 vs ANA
  • Sun, Oct 4 @ VAN1.8 pts
    Schedule 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

FAQ

Should I start Tomas Hertl 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 Tomas Hertl's 1.88. Hertl had 58 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, Tomas Hertl or Zach Werenski?
On 2025-26 numbers they split 17–17 across 34 stats where both qualify.
How have Hertl and Werenski done against each other?
In 11 games against each other in our data, Hertl's team went 6–5. Hertl had 9 points (2 goals) and Werenski had 6 (2 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 →