Quoting: Capitalfail67
I’d say Marner but Kessel is 100x more cool. Actually Kessel. Kessel body type and all the things that come with that I’m far more impressed he plays hockey than marner. Kessel is my final answer.
Quoting: Skyraider112
For the price of the contract definitely Phil, for personality: Phil, for winning resume: Phil.
Just because Marner gets close to 100 points playing with elite centers doesn't make him nearly as good as Phil in his prime. Phil has won 2 cups and was a ppg on an atrocious Leafs team back in the day
Quoting: AnalyticsGeek
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?
Quoting: HatterTParty
Hard argue against Kessel’s body of work. Two cups, all star caliber player, loads of goals, and one of the best wrist shots around. Plus, I mean, look the goal totals with the leafs (the BAD leafs). Pure class. I would have to say him right now. However.......
Marner clearly isn’t in his prime yet and he’s already topping 90 points and one of the best pure playmakers in the league. No, i don’t believe he is reliant on Matthews (seriously, hattrick Kane kills me 😂). He’s great with almost anyone on that team and will continue to get better.
Verdict: gotta go with Kessel for now. Track record, stats, and marner not in his prime yet all contribute to that. However, give it 3-4 more years and we may be having a different conversation.
Quoting: HattrickKane88
The stupidity of this takes makes me wonder if you’re trolling or just plain stupid. “Kessel needs good linemates to shine?” Are you high? In Toronto he was playing on a line with 2 garbage players in Bozak & Lupul every season yet he was consistently scoring 35 goals & a point per game. Also, when he was in Pittsburgh, it was him carrying Malkin, not the other way around. All Malkin did was float around & take lazy penalties.
“Marner makes other players around him better.”
Are you drunk? The only reason Marner is in the NHL is because he’s getting carried by Matthews.
Quoting: mhockey91
Exactly. Marner is good but he’s so overrated on this site. He’s not at a prime Kessel level yet
Quoting: MitchMarner_16
X1000
Quoting: keep_ups12
Don't respond to this HattrickKane guy. This is 100% just for attention. Don't give it to him
Quoting: PrimeDatsyuk
Marner has never been given the reputation of a locker room cancer, if anything i've only heard the opposite. I don't understand why all you do is hate on marner, like every ACGM you make you undervalue him massively. oh well
Quoting: JaredOfLondon
so comparing a player who has basically gone through 98% of his career to one who is just getting started? You need a new hobby
Quoting: Wadejos123
Marner
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: 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.
Quoting: exo2769
Marner got 94 points last year and just turned 23. Kessel's never done that. Oh and Marner still needs to play defense which Kessel also has never done.
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: PleaseBanMeForMyOwnGood
You are a robot
My, how the tables have turned.
To be fair this was a decently fair argument at the time, but now...