Showdown: Kessel vs. Thornton

Both San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel have made headlines recently, and not always for the right reasons. Though they remain two of the most dynamic, productive players in the league, they have found themselves in the crosshairs of a tremendous amount of scrutiny while their teams have gone through turbulent times. And while Kessel has no hope of seeing any postseason action this spring -- the Leafs were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday -- Thornton still has a shot at redemption with his Sharks squad, one that imploded in the first round of the playoffs last April, being eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings after going up 3-0 in the series. The two players square off in Toronto onThursday night at 7:30 ET.

Numbers game: Perhaps no two players endure more criticism despite such consistent production over the years. Although Kessel's numbers are down from last season, the 27-year-old still leads the Leafs with 24 goals and 54 points in 71 games. The five-time 30-goal scorer has gone cold for large stretches this season, but the Leafs have been absolutely wretched around him, as well. Kessel has never truly been surrounded in Toronto with the top-tier supporting cast needed and that was never more apparent than this season, a complete disaster that resulted in head coach Randy Carlyle getting axed and the team engaging in tear-down mode at the trade deadline.

"Our whole team hasn't played terribly well for the last month or so. I don't think with Phil it's a lack of effort," Leafs general manager Dave Nonis told ESPN.com's Craig Custance at this week's GM meetings in Boca Raton, Florida. "He's still getting scoring chances, he's still scoring at a fairly good rate. I know he's frustrated with his performance. I don't think it's lack of effort. We'd like to see him finish strong and get ready for next year."

Thornton, meanwhile, has a much stronger roster of talent to work with, including veterans Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau and promising young players such as Logan Couture. Though the 35-year-old is not the prolific goal scorer he was earlier in his career, he remains one of the most dynamic playmakers in the game. He finished second only to Sidney Crosby with 65 assists last season and is sixth with 46 this season. And his career credentials speak for themselves. Amassing 356 goals and 1,254 points in 1,273 games, the former Hart Trophy winner certainly warrants Hall of Fame consideration. His puck possession numbers are also far superior to Kessel's (56.9 percent compared to 45.8 percent in Corsi, according to Hockeyanalsysis.com). What remains to be seen is what the future holds for Thornton and the Sharks organization, though general manager Doug Wilson insisted that he is a part of the plan moving forward for the rebuilding team.

"We talked this past summer about the direction we were going. He wants to be a part of it and he's followed through on his end of the bargain," Wilson said during the GM meetings. "He's played extremely well, taking great care of the kids, integrated them in. He's a good man."

Tough times: Clearly, Wilson is doing a bit of damage control here, considering the blow-up between the two earlier this month that glared a light on a relationship that has appeared, at times, rather tempestuous. But Wilson said repeatedly that he and Thornton have resolved any issues lingering from the war of words that erupted when Wilson told a group of season-ticket holders that Thornton was stripped of his captaincy because he didn't handle the pressure well. Thornton, in turn, accused Wilson of lying and suggested he shut his trap. But, despite what feels like an increasingly toxic situation in San Jose, Wilson reiterated that Thornton will not be moved.

Thornton has never been afraid to make waves and speak his mind, whereas Kessel has seemed to spurn the spotlight, at least when it comes to media attention. Regardless, he garnered plenty of that earlier this month when he lashed out at reporters in an uncharacteristically emotional rant, defending defenseman Dion Phaneuf against his critics. Kessel has never been heralded for his leadership skills, but he showed little restraint in defending them when he berated local reporters for mistreating and disrespecting his team's captain.

Trade talk: Both Thornton and Kessel have been the subject of trade rumors this season. Although Thornton has a full no-move clause, one that Wilson insisted he has never asked him to waive, Kessel does not have complete control over his fate. Instead, he has a limited no-trade clause in which he must submit a list of teams to which he would accept a trade. That will become increasingly relevant information as the draft nears, with the Leafs exploring the market for their top offensive talent. There were reports that the embattled organization was shopping him at the deadline, though logic dictates that the list of suitors will grow after the season. Still, finding someone to take on his hefty contract, one that comes with an $8 million cap hit, will be difficult. One Eastern Conference executive called the task a "tall order" and expressed skepticism that the Leafs will find a trading partner. One Western Conference general manager said the issue is complicated even further by the uncertainty with next season's salary cap. Asked what he felt it would take to consummate a deal like that, he said, "Typically, the more salary you take on, the less you have to give up in assets, but it's hard to speculate with [the cap uncertainty]. I really think that's why you didn't see more trades at the deadline."

So which player, in theory, would be more attractive as a trade target?

Said one NHL scout: "Thornton. Has more compete, fire, makes players around him better and has size."

Prediction: Thornton's and Kessel's futures with their respective teams is fodder for lively debate, but they're not going anywhere this season. Considering his Sharks are still battling for a playoff spot, we like Thornton to come up big for the Sharks in a bounce-back win after getting shellacked by the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.