I like Vanek because he is more versatile. He is one of the best at deflections, has a sniper of a shot, and can dangle with the best of em. Pure scoring threat.
One is an actual 40 goal scorer, the other is a 40 goal scorer who has never scored 40 goals.
One has scored 30+ the last 4 years, the other hasnt
Id take Kessel, similar calibre players yet Kessel is younger, has a cheaper contract and has scored more consistently. If it weren't for these 8 games opinions would be much different
One has scored 30+ the last 4 years, the other hasnt
Id take Kessel, similar calibre players yet Kessel is younger, has a cheaper contract and has scored more consistently. If it weren't for these 8 games opinions would be much different
They shouldn't though. Vanek has had a very successful career so far, and has done a lot of things Kessel hasn't yet. Vanek has hit 40 goals twice, he's one of only 4 active players to score at least 25 in each of his first 7 seasons (Jagr, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are the others), and he is 7th in the league in goal scoring over the last 7 seasons. He's also a career + player, rather than the -33 of Kessel, for whatever that's worth. Kessel might be better in the near future if Vanek starts to show signs of leaving his prime (though he does play a pretty sustainable game, he certainly doesn't rely on his speed for his goals), but Vanek clearly has the better resume and is playing better right now.
The same poll last year, Kessel won. Vanek wins right now, great start to the season.
I keep Kessel though, younger, on a better contract and he's been very consistent. Even this year, without any goals, he's played much better than any time under Ron Wilson. He could have easily scored 3-4 goals against Washington.
I think Vanek and Kessel are both comparable though. Great players, good goalscorers..and both have underrated playmaking abilities.
Last edited by spiny norman: 02-02-2013 at 11:22 AM.
Reason: not needed
They shouldn't though. Vanek has had a very successful career so far, and has done a lot of things Kessel hasn't yet. Vanek has hit 40 goals twice, he's one of only 4 active players to score at least 25 in each of his first 7 seasons (Jagr, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are the others), and he is 7th in the league in goal scoring over the last 7 seasons. He's also a career + player, rather than the -33 of Kessel, for whatever that's worth. Kessel might be better in the near future if Vanek starts to show signs of leaving his prime (though he does play a pretty sustainable game, he certainly doesn't rely on his speed for his goals), but Vanek clearly has the better resume and is playing better right now.
What Vanek did 5+ years ago shouldn't really matter much.
Over the past 4 seasons their offensive production has been remarkably similar:
Vanek - 308GP 132G 134A 266P
Kessel - 311GP 135G 130A 265P
Taking into account that this goes back to when Kessel was only 21, looking at who they played with, and the fact that Kessel is just now entering his prime, I'd take Kessel. Vanek will probably end up with more goals and points this season after his monster start (which he deserves credit for), along with the fact that Kessel has had terrible luck, but I think Kessel is the better player. Kessel's best season at 24 > any season Vanek has ever put together.
More complete player, broader skill set, and has FAR more production per 60 minutes.
People need to stop making these statistical Vanek comparisons based solely on raw numbers and use the advanced stats for per-60 minute production. It's not even close when you factor that into account.
More complete player, broader skill set, and has FAR more production per 60 minutes.
People need to stop making these statistical Vanek comparisons based solely on raw numbers and use the advanced stats for per-60 minute production. It's not even close when you factor that into account.
Unless you factor in the four year age difference and the fact that Kessel achieved those numbers on non playoff teams, while also factoring in that Vanek had Miller in goal and Kessel had Gustavsson/Reimer/Giguere. There's a reason why Toronto's weakness is goaltending and Buffalo's strength is goaltending. If you don't take that into account you're being ignorant.
This is probably the only time during the last three years that Vanek will win this comparison. Over the last several years, Kessel has been a much more consistent producer. Vanek has had a hot start this year and Kessel has been snakebitten, but he's taking a ton of shots and the goals will come. Last five years:
This is probably the only time during the last three years that Vanek will win this comparison. Over the last several years, Kessel has been a much more consistent producer. Vanek has had a hot start this year and Kessel has been snakebitten, but he's taking a ton of shots and the goals will come. Last five years:
seriously the guy has hit the post 5 times already. 
