Ryan Kesler vs Kyle Wellwood

[AlienWorkShop]

I wouldn't mind Kesler, seems like a solid role player who could be a 2nd liner.

But I'll take Wellwood, oddly Kesler's one of few players I truly dislike. I think he's a good player, but for some reason every game I've seen him I always notice when he takes a little cheap shot or tries to start crap... He was especially bad about it in one game the Leafs played Vancouver.

 

[Transported Upstater]

Kesler's hands weren't that much worse than Wellwood's last year (Kesler had 10 goals and Wellwood had 11). Wellwood had quite a few more assists and thus about double the amount of total points, but he was used in a differant fashion than Kesler. I'd give Kesler another year before labeling him a stone hands mucker (not your words, but what many think). IMO, Kesler's work ethic and skating ability (which is vastly superior to Wellwood's) can possibly compensate for average hands and offensive instincts.

Kesler is a better skater than Wellwood, but I stick to my comment about his hands. They could very well improve (and I'm not saying they won't) but his hands were indeed pretty bad last year. His finishing ability needs a lot of work.

I don't think Kesler will ever equal Wellwood on the offensive end. I just don't see it. But Kesler is much better defensively, and the differences between the two at this point IMO nearly cancel each other out.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Kesler is a better skater than Wellwood, but I stick to my comment about his hands. They could very well improve (and I'm not saying they won't) but his hands were indeed pretty bad last year. His finishing ability needs a lot of work.

I don't think Kesler will ever equal Wellwood on the offensive end. I just don't see it. But Kesler is much better defensively, and the differences between the two at this point IMO nearly cancel each other out.

Don't get me wrong, I believe Kesler's offensive potential is somewhat limited. He's certainly not as natually talented with the puck as Wellwood, and yet he had about the same amount of goals.

 

[YouAreStupid]

Don't get me wrong, I believe Kesler's offensive potential is somewhat limited. He's certainly not as natually talented with the puck as Wellwood, and yet he had about the same amount of goals.

Kesler had more ice time then Wellwood

Kesler: 1152:05 min
Welly: 1035:08 min

 

[Tact]

Ryan Kesler:
10 Goals
13 Assists
23 Points
+1
46.7 Face Off %
14:02 TOI
10:47 ES TOI
2:36 SH TOI
0:38 PP TOI
136 Hits
51 Blocked Shots

Kyle Wellwood:
11 Goals
34 Assists
45 Points
Even
56.3 Face Off %
12:46 TOI
9:28 ES TOI
0:03 SH TOI
3:42 PP TOI
14 Hits
12 Blocked Shots

You have to take the PP time into consideration when comparing points. Wellwood obviously had a more opportunity to produce points because he was used on the PP whereas Kesler spent most of his time on even strength and penalty kill.

If I was a GM and I had to pick between the two, I would pick Kesler. He is the type of player that will win you a Stanley Cup. A player who shows tremendous heart, forechecks w/ reckless-abandoned, block shots, hits, a great 2-way player and a player who will do anything to win.

 

[Oedi]

Kesler is so underrated not even funny. His first full year in the NHL as a third line center and he does not dissapoint one bit.

u could replace Kesler w/ Wellwood and its the same legit argument.

btw, Wellwood is a playmaker, we are not expecting 20+ goals from this guy. Passing and creativity is where he shines so of course he belongs on the pp, he earned it. Saying that Kesler didn't get any PP time to me means that the coach thinks that he isn't gifted offensively enough nor did he earn the icetime for the PP.

 

[avs_19*]

KYLE WELLWOOD.

Are you serious when you ask this question? I dont really like either of these players but this is an easy one. Kesler is no better than a career 3rd/4th liner, only Canuck fans go crazy over him and go on about how hes so good. He really hasnt shown anything yet. I'll take Wellwood over him any day of the week.

 

[Askel]

KYLE WELLWOOD.

Are you serious when you ask this question? I dont really like either of these players but this is an easy one. Kesler is no better than a career 3rd/4th liner, only Canuck fans go crazy over him and go on about how hes so good. He really hasnt shown anything yet. I'll take Wellwood over him any day of the week.

Thats a 3rd liner that scored 18 even strenght points vs Wellwoods 23 even strenght points. Kesler is younger, bigger, faster and much more physical. I take Kesler over Wellwood anyday.

 

[kmad]

The Canucks finished further from the playoff race then the Leafs did. Granted it was only one point further but still your perception of the situation is a little off.

Is it just me, or did the leafs get a higher draft pick?

But i agree with a lot of things said in this thread, both players are talented, Wellwood more so offensively Kesler more so defensively. Is Kesler can find his hands, I believe he can become an elite 3rd line center, since they are sparse (and because of my Canucks bias ) I would have to take Kesler.

 

[rt]

Ryan Kesler, soon enough.

Bingo.

 

[Adam91]

I'll take Wellwood anyday of the week.

Kesler isn't underrated at all. He uses his terrific speed and buzzes around the net for 5 minutes but can never put the puck in

 

[Hockey-Freak]

I'll take Wellwood anyday of the week.

Kesler isn't underrated at all. He uses his terrific speed and buzzes around the net for 5 minutes but can never put the puck in

Really? He must have good connections to the guys who writes the scoresheets.


Kesler is the safer player for me. He´s almost a lock to be a great 3rd line center and could develope into a (part time) 2nd liner.

Wellwood has shown he can set up plays and score points but he has to increase that if he wants to be a 2nd liner over his career. It´s likely that he reaches the 60-70 points, but it´s not as sure as Kesler´s 3rd line career. If Wellwood fails to reach those point totals and the Leafs become a deep team again, there´s no place for him as I don´t see he´s able to be a good 3rd liner.

In addition, Kesler is 1 1/2 years younger and it´s very possible that he will score 45 points in 07/08 even as a 3rd liner. Though, his offensiv potential is definitely under Wellwoods.

The question is, is it enough lesser in a 3rd line role than Wellwoods in a 2nd line role?

I´d rather have a great 3rd line center with 40-50 points, great defensive play and leadership abilities than a 2nd liner who can score 60.

So unless Wellwood scores about 20 more points than Kesler most of their careers, Ryan is the more valuable player for me.

 

[leafaholix*]

To think, a couple years ago half of you guys were taking Kesler over Steen, and now Steen blows Ryan out of the water. So much for that.

Wellwood is not a risk, he's a NHL player for sure, a top 6 forward. Likely a 2nd liner, but he's a guy that can produce at a good rate, as a sophomore you're looking at 60 points from him. Is it realistic to think Kesler may not hit 60 points at all within the next few years? I think so.

If you're looking for depth, you go with Kesler. But it's tougher and more expensive to fill holes on the top 2 lines than it is to fill a hole with a scrappy defensive forward on the third or fourth line.

Just because they're young doesn't mean their potential is "elite defensive forward", we've seen the same thing with Kyle Chipchura, these guys are not "elite" anything until they're stopping Daniel Alfredsson or Markus Naslund on a nightly basis.

 

[Kardi]

dont know much about kesler but i really love wellys game and he should be a force soon

 

[xeric716x]

Wellwood

 

[The Saurus]

Wellwood rather easily. What a perfect fit for the new NHL.

 

[Redwingsfan]

i would take kesler.

 

[Transported Upstater]

Wellwood rather easily. What a perfect fit for the new NHL.

I can't think of many guys who basically had a new "lease on life" in the new NHL as much as Kyle Wellwood did. Granted, he didn't really play in the old NHL for all intents and purposes, but he would have been useless, IMO. Now he actually has room to show his outstanding puck-handling ability, among other things. He's a keeper.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I don't think either of these players are prospects anymore, but I'd go with Wellwood.

 

[serum114]

Ryan Kesler for sure.

Wellwood's game is offense but he isn't an elite talent. He may be able to carve out a career as a solid second liner and PP specialist, but he isn't a guy who I would ever consider indispensable.

Kesler on the other hand has 2nd line potential, but will likely be a top end third liner for much of his career. He has more grit, size and most importantly is playing tough minutes at a young age.

While Wellwood could IMO become at best a Straka caliber player (no shame in that) Kesler has the opportunity to develop into a Brind'Amour type, and I will always sacrifice a little pure offensive skill for more all around game and intangibles.

My 2 cents...

 

[Birko19]

I think Wellwood has the potential to be a Steve Sullivan type of player, Kesler is more like Kris Draper, I'll take Wellwood for sure.

On the other hand if I was Detroit I might bite on Kesler since we have too many small skilled players like Wellwood.

 

[mooseOAK*]

Ryan Kesler for sure.

Wellwood's game is offense but he isn't an elite talent. He may be able to carve out a career as a solid second liner and PP specialist, but he isn't a guy who I would ever consider indispensable.

Kesler on the other hand has 2nd line potential, but will likely be a top end third liner for much of his career. He has more grit, size and most importantly is playing tough minutes at a young age.

While Wellwood could IMO become at best a Straka caliber player (no shame in that) Kesler has the opportunity to develop into a Brind'Amour type, and I will always sacrifice a little pure offensive skill for more all around game and intangibles.

My 2 cents...

Brind'Amour was an excellent offensive player in his younger days, much moreso than Kesler is now.

I take the position that defence can be taught but offence can't.

 

[Adam91]

Really? He must have good connections to the guys who writes the scoresheets.


He scored 10 goals but for the amount of quality chances he had he should have been able to put in 25

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

Ryan Kesler for sure.

Wellwood's game is offense but he isn't an elite talent. He may be able to carve out a career as a solid second liner and PP specialist, but he isn't a guy who I would ever consider indispensable.

Kesler on the other hand has 2nd line potential, but will likely be a top end third liner for much of his career. He has more grit, size and most importantly is playing tough minutes at a young age.

While Wellwood could IMO become at best a Straka caliber player (no shame in that) Kesler has the opportunity to develop into a Brind'Amour type, and I will always sacrifice a little pure offensive skill for more all around game and intangibles.

My 2 cents...

Good post man, Kesler is a more well rounded player, I like the Brind'Amour reference, another player I can see him being like is Peca. The intangibles that Kesler has more than make up for him not being as good of an offensive player as Wellwood. Kesler all the way man.

 

[Rattray]

Wellwood by a country mile....Kesler couldnt put the puck into the ocean.