Zach
Metsa
D · BUF · Balanced · Around average
- PAL
- 45
- WAR
- 0.3
- Value
- 59
- PTS
- 6
2025-26№ 121 / 325
Zach Metsa (Buffalo Sabres) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Zach Metsa
#73D
Buffalo Sabres
HEIGHT : 175 cm · WEIGHT : 91 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : October 18, 1998 · Delafield, United States
Contract : $775,000 · 2025-26 → 2026-27 · Two-Way Contract · UFA
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Buffalo Sabres | 15 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2025-26 | Buffalo Sabres | 43 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| NHL totals | 58 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 13 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Zach Metsa: our analysis
2025-26 season: 43 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS, +16 +/-, 10:58 TOI. WAR 0.3 (121st of 325) · PAL 45, around average.
In 2025-26, Zach Metsa, 28, posts a PAL Rating of 45 out of 100 (around average), and his WAR of 0.3 ranks 121st among 325 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: discipline (78, well above average) and shooting (63, above average). On the other hand, penalty kill (19, well below average) and offense (33, below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+0.7); his biggest cost: EV offense (-0.1).
Contract-wise, his Value score of 59 (good value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Zach Metsa's story
Born October 19, 1998, Zach Metsa comes from a hockey-involved family: his father, Tom Metsa, played at Hamline University. The source does not specify where he grew up or learned the game, but that family connection figures in his hockey background.
Metsa’s junior season 2017–18 began with the Youngstown Phantoms, where he posted 1 goal and 12 assists in 37 games before being traded on February 7, 2018 to the Central Illinois Flying Aces. He closed that campaign with 3 goals and 8 assists in 23 contests for the Flying Aces, demonstrating offensive production from the back end during his junior tenure.
He then spent five seasons at Quinnipiac University with the Bobcats in NCAA Division I. His numbers rose steadily: as a freshman he had 2 goals and 2 assists in 32 games, then 5 goals and 12 assists in 34 games as a sophomore. The 2020–21 season saw him record 5 goals and 21 assists in 29 games, leading defence-men nationally in assists and ranking at the top in several power-play categories; those efforts earned him All-ECAC First Team honours and a Coaches' Award. Named an assistant captain for 2021–22 and captain for the 2022–23 season, Metsa finished his collegiate career by captaining Quinnipiac to the program’s first men’s national championship and was recognized as ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman and an AHCA East First Team All-American.
Metsa turned pro on April 13, 2023, signing a two-year contract with the Rochester Americans of the AHL and joining them for the remainder of their playoff run. On July 1, 2025, he signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres; he scored his first NHL goal on January 6, 2026 versus Vancouver.
Looking at his profile: Metsa blends playmaking from the blue line—especially on the power play—with dependable defensive play, a duality reflected in both his statistical output and the defensive honours he collected in college.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 12:15
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:00
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:37
- Pts/GP
- 0.13
- EV points
- 2
- Hits
- 1
- Blocks
- 13
- Takeaways
- 1
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 48.4 %
- Off. zone starts
- 30.2 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
7between 2 and 13 (80% range)
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 6
- Games
- 57
So far: 2 pts in 15 games. The team has played 17 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.13 pts per game (last season: 0.14).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 31 %
70
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 68
- Confidence 40 %
- ST
- Strength
- 85
- Confidence 36 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 45
- Confidence 50 %
- DU
- Durability
- 63
- Confidence 40 %
- CK
- Checking
- 63
- Confidence 36 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 78
- Confidence 21 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 80
- Confidence 36 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 69
- Confidence 31 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 78
- Confidence 31 %
- DF
- Defense
- 78
- Confidence 28 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 42
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating68
- Top speed (35 %)34.7 · 63
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.726 · 74
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.2 · 76
- Speed consistency (15 %)34.2 · 69
ST — Strength85
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)7.871 · 96
- Body mass (50 %)-0.408 · 67
EN — Endurance45
- Ice time per game (45 %)14.8 · 46
- Total ice time (20 %)456 · 52
- Shift length (15 %)46.4 · 70
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)14.1 · 53
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)1.401 · 56
DU — Durability63
- Share of games played (100 %)0.721 · 63
CK — Checking63
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.227 · 67
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.86 · 68
- Season volume (10 %)1.792 · 45
FG — Fighting78
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.896 · 78
DI — Discipline80
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.023 · 80
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.594 · 77
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.461 · 80
PA — Passing69
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.238 · 59
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.492 · 80
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.001 · 75
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.301 · 80
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.131 · 61
SC — Scoring78
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.256 · 78
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.199 · 75
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.357 · 79
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.128 · 78
- xG per shot (10 %)0.035 · 78
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)9.016 · 69
DF — Defense78
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.023 · 76
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.172 · 86
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.544 · 79
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.008 · 74
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.406 · 62
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)57.5 · 78
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)4.331 · 75
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience42
- Career regular-season games (65 %)53
- Career playoff games (25 %)21
- NHL seasons (10 %)24
OV — Overall70
- DF · Defense (30 %)78
- PA · Passing (22 %)69
- SK · Skating (12 %)68
- SC · Scoring (12 %)78
- EN · Endurance (9 %)45
- ST · Strength (6 %)85
- DI · Discipline (5 %)80
- CK · Checking (4 %)63
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
0.3
wins above replacement
121 of 325
PAL Rating
45/ 100
Performance · Around average
134 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
59/ 100
Good value
0.78 M$ · expected PAL 36
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 47
- Defense
- 46
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 33
- Creation
- 56
- Shooting
- 63
- Possession
- 38
- Defense
- 58
- Discipline
- 78
- Power play
- 56
- Penalty kill
- 19
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
24/ 100
Below average
better than 24% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
32/ 100
Below average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
28/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 170 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 3
- Shot selection
- 68
- Penalties drawn
- 42
- Puck management
- 33
Defense
- Takeaways
- 36
- Discipline
- 55
- Safe zone exits
- 10
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.3
wins above replacement
0.0 to 0.9 — 90% interval
121 of 325 defensemen
+1.7 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.1
- EV defense
- +0.2
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- +0.0
- Shooting
- +0.7
- Penalties
- 0.0
- Average → replacement
- +1.0
In goals.
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 138.4 km/h40th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 33.4 km/h32nd percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 435th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 40.1 %35th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 39.3 km31st percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 3.57 km10th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 42.0 %52nd percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.0 %46th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 41.9 %32nd percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 934th percentile | 049th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| High danger | 175th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 020th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Long range | 543rd percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
VGK
CBJ
OTT
LAK
SJS
PHI
MTL
TOR
FLA
UTA
DAL
MIN
CHIZach Metsa: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Zach Metsa have in 2026-27?
Zach Metsa has 0 goals and 2 points (2 assists) in 15 games in 2026-27.
How old is Zach Metsa?
Zach Metsa is 28 years old: he was born on October 19, 1998.
How tall is Zach Metsa, and how much does he weigh?
Zach Metsa is 5'9" (175 cm) and weighs 201 lb (91 kg).
Where is Zach Metsa from?
United States: Zach Metsa was born in Delafield, Wisconsin, United States.
What team does Zach Metsa play for?
Zach Metsa plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL, at D, wearing number 73.
Is Zach Metsa injured?
No: Zach Metsa is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Zach Metsa?
Zach Metsa produced 0.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 121st of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 45 out of 100: around average for his position.
How much does Zach Metsa make?
Zach Metsa earns $775K for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 59 out of 100 (good value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Zach Metsa's contract end?
Zach Metsa's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent.
Is Zach Metsa overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 59 out of 100 (good value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Zach Metsa a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 121st of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
How has Zach Metsa played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Zach Metsa has 1 point (0 goals, 1 assist).
What are Zach Metsa's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Zach Metsa has 58 games, 2 goals, 6 assists and 8 points. His best season: 2025-26, with 6 points in 43 games.
Is Zach Metsa better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 0.11 points per game at home (1 in 9 games) and 0.17 on the road (1 in 6 games).
How does Zach Metsa perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Zach Metsa has 2 games and 1 point in his career. His pace (0.50 points per game) is higher than his regular-season pace (0.14).
Which player is most similar to Zach Metsa?
Matthew Kessel: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Matthew Kessel's page →Is Zach Metsa a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 7 points in 2026-27, or 0.12 points per game.
Is Zach Metsa related to anyone famous?
Yes: Tom Metsa (father, played hockey at Hamline University).
What is Zach Metsa's nationality?
Zach Metsa is American.
What awards has Zach Metsa won?
Named to the All-ECAC First Team (2020–21 season) ; Co-winner of the Coaches' Award (2020–21 season) ; Named ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman ; Named to the All-ECAC First Team ; Named an AHCA East First Team All-American.
How many championships has Zach Metsa won?
1: NCAA men's ice hockey national champion (the university's first-ever men's title) with the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 2022–23 season.
Where did Zach Metsa play before turning pro?
College: Quinnipiac Bobcats (began 2018–19; final collegiate season 2022–23). Junior: Youngstown Phantoms (2017–18), traded to the Central Illinois Flying Aces on February 7, 2018 (2017–18)..
How many points is Zach Metsa projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 7 points in 57 games in 2026-27 (2 to 13 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Buffalo Sabres teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)