I'd say Karl Malone tops that list, undoubtedly. I'd likely even place Dikembe Mutombo's elbows ahead of Howard's. Maybe even Bill Cartwright's, though that's going off of hearsay.
Malone, because he's actually had a chance to full force elbow people. If Dwight would have did it to somebody with all his might they would exile him from the league.
Soft era. Just look at how people view Patrick Beverley.