This is like asking who's cooler between Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson. Both Selanne and Jagr are two of the greater players to ever play in the show and with such long careers, there are so many intangibles to factor in when comparing who's better. Jagr obviously has more hardware, but stats are just stats. Jagr clearly had an advantage playing with stronger teams and teammates as the Ducks practically started off as a farm team and Jagr got to play along side arguably the greatest forward of all time. What Selanne did in his rookie year was incredible and had he not been playing on a bum leg for half of his career, maybe could have consistently put up those kinds of numbers. All in all, both men are legends, and I'm proud that Selanne, at 44, still has the passion that he has to come back for one more season.

Eklund: Showdown: Selanne vs. Jagr
- Eklund

Jagr probably had more raw talent and was better at his absolute best, but I give the edge to Selanne for his superhuman consistency and better attitude.

Jagr was the better player in his prime, but he didn't accomplish a shred of what Teemu did in his twilight years. Selanne still plays like a freakin' 25 year old while Jagr looked like a ghost in the playoffs (in a shortened season, no less).

Building around Selanne gives your hypothetical fantasy team two decades of having a franchise player. Nuff said.

Plus, the guy scored 76 goals in his rookie year, which I find to be one of the most impressive (and relatively overlooked) stats in the history of the NHL. On the Jets. Not riding shotgun with Mario.

Everyone is trying to knock Jagr for aging with Mario, as if that Kariya guy selanne had on his line was a hack. If Jagr wasn't a douche this poll would be nowhere near 50/50. Jagr carried an otherwise mediocre penguins team for 3-4 years in Mario's absence. He dominated the league for a long time and if it weren't for Mario he would have more than 5 art Ross trophys. Hell he was he only guy to win an Art Ross over a 2 decade stretch that wasn't 99 or 66.

This is like asking who's cooler between Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson. Both Selanne and Jagr are two of the greater players to ever play in the show and with such long careers, there are so many intangibles to factor in when comparing who's better. Jagr obviously has more hardware, but stats are just stats. Jagr clearly had an advantage playing with stronger teams and teammates as the Ducks practically started off as a farm team and Jagr got to play along side arguably the greatest forward of all time. What Selanne did in his rookie year was incredible and had he not been playing on a bum leg for half of his career, maybe could have consistently put up those kinds of numbers. All in all, both men are legends, and I'm proud that Selanne, at 44, still has the passion that he has to come back for one more season.
- sudburyboy

He just turned 43 last month, Selanne, but I agree they're both fantastic players. I'd personally take Jagr, but, it's like choosing between two supermodels for a date...either would be great.

Are we even having this conversation? Right. Selänne makes me feel proud to be a Finn, always. I love the way he's respected all over NA. All over NHL. And the guy just loves to be a part of NHL. And Jagr.. well, not so much? He should retire in KHL.

Are we even having this conversation? Right. Selänne makes me feel proud to be a Finn, always. I love the way he's respected all over NA. All over NHL. And the guy just loves to be a part of NHL. And Jagr.. well, not so much? He should retire in KHL.
- OnIceEnforcer

He didn't ask who was the nicest guy. He asked who would you want on the ice, this is not a popularity contest, some of the biggest azzholes in NHL history are some of it's best players.

He didn't ask who was the nicest guy. He asked who would you want on the ice, this is not a popularity contest, some of the biggest azzholes in NHL history are some of it's best players.
- LeftCoaster

Fine, fair enough. But last time I check, Jagr wasn't playing with Mario.

Fine, fair enough. But last time I check, Jagr wasn't playing with Mario.
- OnIceEnforcer

You mean Selanne?

You mean Selanne?
- LeftCoaster

Nope. What I wanted to say was that Jagr in NJ does not have a Lemieux-like partner in current NJ roster.

And, btw, most Finns feel sympathy for jagr.

In 96/97 Selanne had 109 points, Kariya had 99. In 97/98 Selanne had 86 points, Kariya only managed 22 games that year due to injury, 31 points. In 98/99 when Kariya came back for a full season, Selanne had 107 points and Kariya had 101.

You can't tell me that Jagr had Mario and Selanne had no one! Kariya had almost 1000 points in the NHL, he was a fantastic player in his own right.

You can't tell me that Jagr had Mario and Selanne had no one! Kariya had almost 1000 points in the NHL, he was a fantastic player in his own right.
- LeftCoaster

Oh boy, Selänne+Kariya. There's a bromance! Right, screw Mario & Jagr. No, I get yuor point, but you know Kariya wasn't around when Teemu got his ring. . .
And anyways, Teemu is such a lovely thing. . . Unlike . . .

He didn't ask who was the nicest guy. He asked who would you want on the ice, this is not a popularity contest, some of the biggest azzholes in NHL history are some of it's best players.
- LeftCoaster

For sure. If I could take any player in history in their prime to build a team around it'd be Chris Pronger....and even with all his accomplishments, everybody I've ever met from Dryden just cringe when I bring up,his name.

Oh boy, Selänne+Kariya. There's a bromance! Right, screw Mario & Jagr. No, I get yuor point, but you know Kariya wasn't around when Teemu got his ring. . .
And anyways, Teemu is such a lovely thing. . . Unlike . . .
- OnIceEnforcer

Teemu is 110% class, you'll get no argument from any sane person there.

Regarding Kariya & Selanne, don't laugh, between 96/97 and 00/01, five years inclusive, they combined for 841 points between them. Anyone with any common sense would realize they were a good, infact one of the better one two combo's in the league. Kariya missed a full season in games during that time as well.

Selanne.

Jagr turned into a douche with his latest antics... Teemu kept is real.

But seriously, they both make it on the first ballot anyday.
- BigDre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4duJ3Fb85eM

Mmm...yes, keeping it real.

He didn't ask who was the nicest guy. He asked who would you want on the ice, this is not a popularity contest, some of the biggest azzholes in NHL history are some of it's best players.
- LeftCoaster

Doesn't being an azzhole kind of affect whether or not you get them "on the ice" to begin with?

With Jagr, you get a guy who was never really all that committed to any team, especially in the latter half of his career, and who would rather play in the KHL for huge money than stay in the NHL.

As I said, Jagr at his best was the better player. But to answer the question properly, you need to know if you're building a team to play one game or for 20 years. And if it's just for one game, are you taking Selanne/Jagr in their prime years or at age 35? Or 40?

In terms of an entire body of work, it feels like you'd get more benefit out of Selanne over a full career.

I like how well broken down each player is here in this article so fans can come up with logical arguments as to why one player is better than the other.

Another finely researched and constructive article from Eklund! Bravo!

Selanne by a nose, probably the one that isn't always out of joint. I would have scored 30 every season playing with Mario, and I suck. But in his day you couldn't knock Fabio Jagr off the puck. He was awfully good, and awfully full of himself. I'll take the character guy. You could have hardly gone wrong with either one though.

And those of you talking about Jagr leaving for the KHL for 3 years need to remember Selanne missed three seasons at the beginning of his career. Watch the players play instead of looking at a stat sheet. It'll tell you a lot more.
- yzermaneely

He did look like Fabio.

lumberjack match
- Flyfreaky

Nope. Coal miners glove match.The best gimmick match in Wrestling.

Jagr is the greatest European forward of all time and is in the discussion for best European player of all time.

Jagr had a huge influence (positive) on myself as a young hockey player. I owe a lot to him for the success I found along the half wall as a player.

That said, I love both Jagr and Selanne. For those of us who are around 30 years old, we were lucky to watch both players in their prime.

I would say Jagr has had the better career, but I like Selanne better. Just such a class act.

This is like asking who's cooler between Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson. Both Selanne and Jagr are two of the greater players to ever play in the show and with such long careers, there are so many intangibles to factor in when comparing who's better. Jagr obviously has more hardware, but stats are just stats. Jagr clearly had an advantage playing with stronger teams and teammates as the Ducks practically started off as a farm team and Jagr got to play along side arguably the greatest forward of all time. What Selanne did in his rookie year was incredible and had he not been playing on a bum leg for half of his career, maybe could have consistently put up those kinds of numbers. All in all, both men are legends, and I'm proud that Selanne, at 44, still has the passion that he has to come back for one more season.
- sudburyboy

Ummm... asking who's cooler between Jack & Bill is like asking if Ferrari is better than Dodge.

Are we even having this conversation? Right. Selänne makes me feel proud to be a Finn, always. I love the way he's respected all over NA. All over NHL. And the guy just loves to be a part of NHL. And Jagr.. well, not so much? He should retire in KHL.
- OnIceEnforcer

I remember the years that Jagr mailed it in, when playing with the Capitals and Rangers. Selanne came to play his whole career. He never had the star power that Jagr had around him, most of his career. Jagr hoofed it over the KHL, while Selanne played on, in the NHL. The only reason Jagr came back, is because he was broke and squandered all of the money that he made the first time.

I remember the years that Jagr mailed it in, when playing with the Capitals and Rangers. Selanne came to play his whole career. He never had the star power that Jagr had around him, most of his career. Jagr hoofed it over the KHL, while Selanne played on, in the NHL. The only reason Jagr came back, is because he was broke and squandered all of the money that he made the first time.
- PrinceLH

Still wondering what the actual debate is...

Who's better or who would you have?

Jagr is better but I'd take Teemu in a heartbeat... one of the classiest ever.

Jagr has the better numbers and was the more dominant player. But I would rather have Selanne as my franchise player because he is loyal to the organization and he has the character to be the perfect 'face of the franchise' .

Jagr was a flake. he pulled the pin too many times.

Jagr has the better numbers and was the more dominant player. But I would rather have Selanne as my franchise player because he is loyal to the organization and he has the character to be the perfect 'face of the franchise' .

Jagr was a flake. he pulled the pin too many times.
- seanjohn667

Lots of talent but he also only played when he felt like it.