Kessel: Malkin obviously should have been included in NHL's top 100

There's no debate in Phil Kessel's mind.

The omission of Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin from the 100 Greatest NHL Players list was a glaring mistake, Kessel asserted Monday.

"He should be there, obviously," Kessel said, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I’m pretty sure he’s one of the top 100 players of all time. It is what it is. In my book, he is."

A quick look at Malkin's accomplishments suggests Kessel is definitely on to something:

• Stanley Cup: 2009, 2016
• Art Ross Trophy: 2009, 2012
• Hart Memorial Trophy: 2012
• Calder Memorial Trophy: 2007
• Conn Smythe Trophy: 2009
• Ted Lindsay Award: 2012
• NHL First All-Star Team: 2008, 2009, 2012

Malkin, who sits third in the NHL with 54 points so far this season, could be adding to that list in the not-too-distant future.