Phil Kessel or Patrik Elias?

[Filthy Dangles]

Who was the better player?

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[DitchMarner]

I'm a Kessel fan, but I have to go with Elias. Kessel's best three or four best offensive seasons combined may be better than Elias's best three or four offensive seasons combined, but Elias was a better all-around player in general. Elias was outstanding in the playoffs over a rather lengthy stretch of time. I think Kessel's been a very good playoff performer in his career.

 

[StoneHands]

Elias for me. He was the best forward on a team that won two cups. I know those teams were built on defense but Elias was a very good two way player so it worked. Kessel is great and probably more talented but I don't think he could be the go to guy on a Cup winning team.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Elias for me. He was the best forward on a team that won two cups. I know those teams were built on defense but Elias was a very good two way player so it worked. Kessel is great and probably more talented but I don't think he could be the go to guy on a Cup winning team.

Phillip should have the won the Smythe over Sidney in 2016.

 

[StoneHands]

Phillip should have the won the Smythe over Sidney in 2016.

Philip*

I'm not arguing that but that wasn't my point. I'd take Kessel over Justin Williams despite the Smythe. My point was that Elias was the best forward on a two time Cup winning team. That's 82 games plus playoffs. Kessel is the 3rd best forward on the Pens and when he was the best forward in Toronto they made the playoffs once in six years and got bounced in the first round.

 

[Regal]

I'm surprised by the votes for Kessel. Elias was definitely better. Similar scorer but one of the better defensive wingers in the game, and not soft as butter.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Elias for sure. One of the smartest players in the league.

 

[CanadienShark]

Elias was as good offensively, and a better defensive player imo, as well as being more versatile.

 

[mrmovies779]

Even as a Rangers fan,i vote Elias quite easily.More complete player.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Never got to watch Prime Elias, but I remember him being pretty good in his later days in Jersey.

I’ll take Kessel for his speed and shot

 

[member 157595]

I'm not a Kessel hater but Elias all day long. An incredibly versatile player.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Elias for me. He was the best forward on a team that won two cups. I know those teams were built on defense but Elias was a very good two way player so it worked. Kessel is great and probably more talented but I don't think he could be the go to guy on a Cup winning team.

Elias was the fourth or fifth best player on those teams, just like Kessel.

 

[mrmovies779]

Elias was the fourth or fifth best player on those teams, just like Kessel.

Who was better?Guy was as a complete player as they have ever had on those Cup winning teams.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Who was better?Guy was as a complete player as they have ever had on those Cup winning teams.

That wasn't what I was responding to. Where I took issue was the suggestion that since Elias was the best forward on his team in the playoffs (there were arguments for others), he must be better than Kessel. Never mind the fact that Elias didn't have the level of competition at forward on his team that Kessel did. Beigg the best forward doesn't mean the most important player, he was far from that. Ditto for Kessel. It would be like saying Letang was better than Stevens because he was the best defenseman while it can be argued that Stevens was behind Niedermayer.

 

[mrmovies779]

That wasn't what I was responding to. Where I took issue was the suggestion that since Elias was the best forward on his team in the playoffs (there were arguments for others), he must be better than Kessel. Never mind the fact that Elias didn't have the level of competition at forward on his team that Kessel did. Beigg the best forward doesn't mean the most important player, he was far from that. Ditto for Kessel. It would be like saying Letang was better than Stevens because he was the best defenseman while it can be argued that Stevens was behind Niedermayer.

Foward wise,he was by far their most important player.They used him in all situations and he did it all for them.Scored,matched up against the best players,took key faceoffs and was invaluable on the special teams.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Foward wise,he was by far their most important player.They used him in all situations and he did it all for them.Scored,matched up against the best players,took key faceoffs and was invaluable on the special teams.

I guess what I'm trying to say is... So what? Overall, he was about as important to the Devils as Kessel was to the Penguins. So it's irrelevant.

 

[RememberTheName]

This is Elias relatively easily for me. Elias was just as good offensively (if not better, close but I take Elias probably by slim margin) and far better defensively. I would absolutely take him

 

[BillNy]

Elias for me. He was the best forward on a team that won two cups. I know those teams were built on defense but Elias was a very good two way player so it worked. Kessel is great and probably more talented but I don't think he could be the go to guy on a Cup winning team.

They were built on defense, which Elias was very good at. If we thought about hockey back then the way we do now, especially if we had analytics, we'd have all seen Patrik Elias the way we see Patrice Bergeron today. I think everyone has a hot-take Hall of Fame candidate. Mine is Elias.

I love Kessel. I have multiple Kessel jerseys. I got blackout drunk when the Leafs traded him. He's my all-time favorite player, but I lean Elias here.

 

[Regal]

That wasn't what I was responding to. Where I took issue was the suggestion that since Elias was the best forward on his team in the playoffs (there were arguments for others), he must be better than Kessel. Never mind the fact that Elias didn't have the level of competition at forward on his team that Kessel did. Beigg the best forward doesn't mean the most important player, he was far from that. Ditto for Kessel. It would be like saying Letang was better than Stevens because he was the best defenseman while it can be argued that Stevens was behind Niedermayer.

There was no argument for Niedermayer over Stevens or Elias on the first win

 

[FrozenJagrt]

There was no argument for Niedermayer over Stevens or Elias on the first win

Very true. What about the second?

 

[NJ DevLolz]

You know how players transition from center to wing as they get older to ease the burden?

Elias moved to center in his 30s and put up fantastic numbers along with great two-way play. Gomez, Gionta, and Clarkson should give him half of their career earnings.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Kessel has more top end offensive talent.

But Elias is better all around.

This is easily Elias.