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Mitch Marner vs Prime Phil Kessel

Created by: AnalyticsGeek
Team: 2019-20 Custom Team
Initial Creation Date: Jun. 25, 2020
Published: Jun. 25, 2020
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Today, I want to do a comparison of two players who have played for Toronto before, and both earned the reputation as being lazy, soft, selfish and a locker room cancer. Both players have been questioned by fans and media for their attitude and commitment to the team, but nonetheless, they are both elite talents.

Phil Kessel is an elite goal scorer with excellent speed. He has scored 371 goals and 861 points in 1066 regular season games (PPG of .807). In the playoffs, he has 33 goals and 77 points in 87 games (PPG of 0.885).

Mitch Marner is a playmaker with good stick-handling and agility. He has 83 goals and 291 points in 300 regular season games (0.97 PPG). In the playoffs, he has 5 goals and 17 points in 20 games (PPG of 0.85)

As for defensive game, Phil Kessel averages 1.1 defensive point shares per season. His best season, he has an expected goals against that ranks in the 50th percentile. Mitch Marner averages 1.5 defensive point shares per season. His best season in expected goals against ranks in the 72nd percentile.

Personally, my vote goes to Kessel, he was able to notch several point per game seasons playing on a poor Toronto team. It's close, however.
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
20$81,500,000$116,538,491$0$850,000-$35,038,491

Roster

Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Guentzel, Jake
$4,500,000$4,500,000
LW, RW
UFA - 5
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby, Sidney
$8,700,000$8,700,000
C
NMC
UFA - 6
Kessel, Phil
$8,000,000$8,000,000
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Zucker, Jason
$5,500,000$5,500,000
LW, RW
M-NTC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Malkin, Evgeni
$9,500,000$9,500,000
C
NMC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Rust, Bryan
$3,500,000$3,500,000
RW, LW
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Hyman, Zach
$2,250,000$2,250,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Tavares, John
$11,000,000$11,000,000
C, LW
NMC
UFA - 6
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Marner, Mitchell
$10,893,000$10,893,000
RW
UFA - 6
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Nylander, William
$6,962,366$6,962,366
RW
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Matthews, Auston
$11,634,000$11,634,000
C
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Kapanen, Kasperi
$3,200,000$3,200,000
RW
UFA - 3
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Dumoulin, Brian
$4,100,000$4,100,000
LD
M-NTC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Letang, Kris
$7,250,000$7,250,000
RD
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Andersen, Frederik
$5,000,000$5,000,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Muzzin, Jake
$4,000,000$4,000,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Murray, Matt
$3,750,000$3,750,000
G
UFA - 1
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pettersson, Marcus
$874,125$874,125
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Rielly, Morgan
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LD
UFA - 3
Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Marino, John
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$850,000$850K)
RD
UFA - 2

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Jun. 26, 2020 at 9:55 a.m.
#51
mhockey91
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Quoting: Wadejos123
Marner


Quoting: justaBoss
Marner, pretty easily in my opinion.

Kessel needs good linemates to shine. It's no wonder his best years were with Malkin. Marner however makes players around him better.


Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
I'm going to say Marner but I want to point out something. Kessel struggled a bit when he had to carry his line in Toronto, he succeeded in Pittsburgh though as the 2nd best player on his line, now that he is the "best player on the line" in Arizona he is struggling again. Marner has never really had to carry his own line


Quoting: chloewoj
marner but it’s weird to compare them imo


Quoting: aadoyle
100% just look at Kessel now, looks like a shell of what he was in Toronto or Pittsburgh.Now not saying the Coyotes are bad but man being seperated from Malkin really shows Kessels abilities are not that great anymore. Marner on any line would make that line a 1st line. His playmaking skills are almost unmatched and the kid is only 23. So between the 2 I would rather go with Marner as playmaking wings are hard to come by especially ones on par with Marner.




At this point in Marners career, all the leafs fans who are saying marner are being extremely bias. Let me know when marner is top 5 in the league in points with his centre as Tyler bozak. Marners story is still unwritten as he’s only 23, but up to right now, prime Kessel is much better than marner. People forget just how good Kessel was on Toronto 2011/2012/2013/2014 . Not even factoring in him being a major factor on back to back cups
Jun. 26, 2020 at 11:42 a.m.
#52
AnalyticsGeek
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Quoting: mhockey91
At this point in Marners career, all the leafs fans who are saying marner are being extremely bias. Let me know when marner is top 5 in the league in points with his centre as Tyler bozak. Marners story is still unwritten as he’s only 23, but up to right now, prime Kessel is much better than marner. People forget just how good Kessel was on Toronto 2011/2012/2013/2014 . Not even factoring in him being a major factor on back to back cups


I agree, Marner was elite but Kessel was a superstar & top 10 Forward in the game. I think a lot of people, they don’t like Phil, therefore, they undermine his achievements. He had a controversial reputation, especially during Toronto when the media blew it out of proportion. But he did his job putting up 30 goals & 80 points every season with poor linemates. Like what more can you ask for?
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Jun. 26, 2020 at 11:45 a.m.
#53
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
I agree, Marner was elite but Kessel was a superstar & top 10 Forward in the game. I think a lot of people, they don’t like Phil, therefore, they undermine his achievements. He had a controversial reputation, especially during Toronto when the media blew it out of proportion. But he did his job putting up 30 goals & 80 points every season with poor linemates. Like what more can you ask for?


Exactly. Marner is good but he’s so overrated on this site. He’s not at a prime Kessel level yet
Jun. 26, 2020 at 12:27 p.m.
#54
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Quoting: mhockey91
Exactly. Marner is good but he’s so overrated on this site. He’s not at a prime Kessel level yet


After all the turmoil Marner caused over the past several months, I was surprised that there are still many Leaf fans that rate him so highly.

Who’d you say is better between prime John Tavares & Phil Kessel?
Jun. 26, 2020 at 12:32 p.m.
#55
mhockey91
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
After all the turmoil Marner caused over the past several months, I was surprised that there are still many Leaf fans that rate him so highly.

Who’d you say is better between prime John Tavares & Phil Kessel?


Prime JT. his "best" years were robbed on a weak NYI team with little scoring support
Jun. 26, 2020 at 12:41 p.m.
#56
Skyraider112
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
Yes I agree I think talent wise they are at a similar level but Marner still has miles to go before he reaches Phil’s level. Who’d you say is better between Mitch Marner & Sam Reinhart?


Offensively Marner all day, in terms of overall play, I think Reinhart is a lot more responsible defensively. Marner has done more in his career so far so I have to say him, although I really like Reinhart and believe he has a higher ceiling than 65 points
Jun. 26, 2020 at 1:03 p.m.
#57
justaBoss
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Quoting: mhockey91
At this point in Marners career, all the leafs fans who are saying marner are being extremely bias. Let me know when marner is top 5 in the league in points with his centre as Tyler bozak. Marners story is still unwritten as he’s only 23, but up to right now, prime Kessel is much better than marner. People forget just how good Kessel was on Toronto 2011/2012/2013/2014 . Not even factoring in him being a major factor on back to back cups


Funny since almost no one you quoted there are Leafs fans...
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Jun. 26, 2020 at 1:07 p.m.
#58
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Quoting: Skyraider112
Offensively Marner all day, in terms of overall play, I think Reinhart is a lot more responsible defensively. Marner has done more in his career so far so I have to say him, although I really like Reinhart and believe he has a higher ceiling than 65 points


Eh, I will probably have to watch Reinhart in-game more, cuz taking a glance at his defensive stats, they aren’t great. I think that may have to do with sharing the ice without ristolainen who is an anchor, however. I definitely think he has more upside & talent than Marner.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 1:09 p.m.
#59
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Quoting: mhockey91
Prime JT. his "best" years were robbed on a weak NYI team with little scoring support


Yes I agree he was always a point per game player on some of the weakest teams. For me, he is a franchise player in the same category as Stamkos, Matthews & Eichel.
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Jun. 26, 2020 at 2:20 p.m.
#60
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
Eh, I will probably have to watch Reinhart in-game more, cuz taking a glance at his defensive stats, they aren’t great. I think that may have to do with sharing the ice without ristolainen who is an anchor, however. I definitely think he has more upside & talent than Marner.


what a joke ahahahahahahaha
Jun. 26, 2020 at 3:39 p.m.
#61
mhockey91
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Quoting: justaBoss
Funny since almost no one you quoted there are Leafs fans...


Okay well you’re still wrong regardless
Jun. 26, 2020 at 4:09 p.m.
#62
justaBoss
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Quoting: mhockey91
Okay well you’re still wrong regardless


I disagree but whatever really.

I'd easily take Marner over prime Kessel any day.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 4:41 p.m.
#63
mhockey91
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Quoting: justaBoss
I disagree but whatever really.

I'd easily take Marner over prime Kessel any day.


Okay let me know when marner gets top 6,7 and 6 in the league in points with bozak as his #1C three seasons in a row, then follows that up with two excellent performances on a back to back Stanley Cup run.

Up until this point it’s not even close, nor should it be.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 5:02 p.m.
#64
justaBoss
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Quoting: mhockey91
Okay let me know when marner gets top 6,7 and 6 in the league in points with bozak as his #1C three seasons in a row, then follows that up with two excellent performances on a back to back Stanley Cup run.

Up until this point it’s not even close, nor should it be.


It really ain't Marner's fault TOR had to suck while Kessel was there.

Then again, if it was Marner that played alongside Malkin, I think nothing would've changed regarding Pens' success.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
#65
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Quoting: justaBoss
It really ain't Marner's fault TOR had to suck while Kessel was there.

Then again, if it was Marner that played alongside Malkin, I think nothing would've changed regarding Pens' success.


Marner doesn’t have Kessel’s speed, which was a huge reason why they won back to back cups. His ability to blaze down the right wing & score on a snapshot, no one else can do. It would’ve been hard for Marner to replicate what Kessel did in Pittsburgh during those cup runs, but I wouldn’t mind having him, he would still add firepower nonetheless.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 6:22 p.m.
#66
mhockey91
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Quoting: justaBoss
It really ain't Marner's fault TOR had to suck while Kessel was there.

Then again, if it was Marner that played alongside Malkin, I think nothing would've changed regarding Pens' success.


And if prime Kessel was on the 2020 Toronto maple leafs he’d be ripping over 40 goals. Kessel is clear cut better but whatever
Jun. 26, 2020 at 6:51 p.m.
#67
justaBoss
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Quoting: mhockey91
And if prime Kessel was on the 2020 Toronto maple leafs he’d be ripping over 40 goals. Kessel is clear cut better but whatever


Better goal scorer? Sure.

Better all around player? Nah.

Think Marner is more sound defensively, he's a better playmaker and he makes players around him just better.

As I said, Kessel's success in PIT is partly due to the fact he was playing one of the best players in the world. Probably the actual best on a good day.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 7:41 p.m.
#68
mhockey91
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Quoting: justaBoss
Better goal scorer? Sure.

Better all around player? Nah.

Think Marner is more sound defensively, he's a better playmaker and he makes players around him just better.

As I said, Kessel's success in PIT is partly due to the fact he was playing one of the best players in the world. Probably the actual best on a good day.


Dude, Kessels most productive years were in Toronto. He was excellent there. By far their best player. Marner is better defensively sure but they’re both not known to be defensive forwards so it really doesn’t matter. Kessel prime could out produce marner with way worse QOT
Jun. 26, 2020 at 7:43 p.m.
#69
justaBoss
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Quoting: mhockey91
Dude, Kessels most productive years were in Toronto. He was excellent there. By far their best player.


Not exactly an achievement considering Bozak was their 1C.

Yeah he did quite well there, not saying he didn't. What I'm saying is that I have been more impressed of what Marner has done until now.
Jun. 26, 2020 at 8:31 p.m.
#70
mhockey91
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Quoting: justaBoss
Not exactly an achievement considering Bozak was their 1C.

Yeah he did quite well there, not saying he didn't. What I'm saying is that I have been more impressed of what Marner has done until now.


@ me next time Marner is top 7 in league points 3 times in a row despite having little supporting cast. Till that day happens Kessel > Marner
Jun. 26, 2020 at 8:33 p.m.
#71
justaBoss
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Quoting: mhockey91
@ me next time Marner is top 7 in league points 3 times in a row despite having little supporting cast. Till that day happens Kessel > Marner


The likelihood of that is very slim, and not for reasons Marner can himself have an effect on...
Jun. 27, 2020 at 11:35 a.m.
#72
AnalyticsGeek
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@mhockey91 Who’d you say is better between prime Phil Kessel & Taylor Hall?
Jun. 27, 2020 at 1:38 p.m.
#73
mhockey91
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
@mhockey91 Who’d you say is better between prime Phil Kessel & Taylor Hall?


Halls best year was #1 but Kessel was more consistent
Jun. 27, 2020 at 1:58 p.m.
#74
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Quoting: mhockey91
Halls best year was #1 but Kessel was more consistent


Yes I agree.
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Jun. 28, 2020 at 10:35 p.m.
#75
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