I have been a long time lurker, and rarely post. Yet I came out of radio silence to post simply out of amazement at these results. This is absolutely no discredit to Bure, who has phenomenal numbers, incredible skill, and national exposure as one of the "most skilled hockey stars". However, Cam Neely was simply a better hockey player ito this Bruins "homer".
He was a clutch performer in games and in the playoffs, a game changing player with his physical presence and his scoring ability. He helped define, or at least portrayed perfectly the term, "power forward". His intensity and intimidation affected the play around him. He was the quintissential body checker and pugilist extraordinaire, whose fists carried reputation amongst even goonery, such that he didn't have to fight to win the edge. His leadership appeared to be the demonstrable, tenacious type, which seemed to complement Ray's subtlety.
Cam's skills were as great as his physical tools. He had enough touch to pass well, and he had excellent backhand and forehand shots; Cam had the ability to score from all over the ice. While his slapper was intense, his snap shot was so good that it would have been in the Johhny Peirson Top 3. While I wouldn't characterize him as fast, he had an incredibly powerful stride and the strength and leverage to obtain body position at full stride; some of his goals were strangely acrobatic for a big player. Cam was the definitive anchor in front of the net at even strength and on power play.
His determination to come back after so many injuries, and playing in pain, was a testament to his character. I think most amazing is his personal determination to overcome all of the difficulties with illness and death in his family. And to engender such altruistic endeavors as an ambassador to with charitable events, and of course, starting his own foundation, are simply amazing feats of a giving, caring person. He truly conveyed a bond with the hard-working purveyors of his craft, emulating them, endearing them, and thereby honoring them; we returned the same to him.
Maybe in my Bostonian myopia, I am missing the full picture on Bure; or perhaps there truly is no comparison, as I contend...
-Mang
There is no big picture on Bure. He scored goals. That's about it. No consistent physical or defensive play. No praise for his off-ice conduct, leadership or commitment to the team. Only one playoff (1995) where you sat back and said "Geez, he really took his play to the next level compared with what we saw in the regular season." (Yes, he put up points in 1994, but only in the Dallas series was he a consistent force on a game-by-game basis).
If goals and stats are the be all and end all in someone's hockey universe, without any regard for any of the other fine points that make hockey such a great game, then of course they'll pick Bure.
Someone made the point earlier that Bure put people in the seats. I'd much rather pay to watch Cam Neely bring his multi-faceted game, which included goals, then watch Bure. Again, that's personal preference, and a reflection of how subjective the word "exciting" really is.
As exciting as Bure was to watch it paled in comparsion to seeing Neely play. He didn't just score goals, he scored big goals. Cam's play set the tone. He never took a shift off and played just as hard in his own zone as he did in the opponents.
No disrespect to Bure. He was impressive to watch. Especially in his younger days with the Canucks.
Bure was more pure "flash"....but Neely was the complete package. And yes I am a Bruins fan...but all things being equal (no injuries..,etc) I think that if you give this choice to real hockey people (i.e. G.M's.. coaches..scouts..players..,etc) I would bet 9 times out of 10 Neely is chosen.
Toughest vote ever for me. Bure is one of my favorite players and Neely is the hometown hero in my area (with good reason). I can see why the Bure fans vote as they do, because that is how I would vote if the question were "who was a batter goal scorer" or "who was more exciting" (a close one).
But the vague "who was better"? To do that ou have to dissect the players and the games they played.
Bure came back from injuries as much as Neely did. But Neely brought a physical game Bure never did. Bure was a lot better on his skates (hello? Russian rocket!) and had more skill. But Neely played with more guts, he amped up his game when the physical play increased. Hence his best games were in the playoffs.
I really want to vote Bure because I am actually more familiar with his play and his games and appreciate the work he had to put into his formative years in order to develop the skills he has. But "better" also takes into account the off ice things, and Bure has zero to huis resume except for soem alleged dealings with questionable Russian characters (and banging Anna Kournikova , which is about the peak of his off ice acheivements). For this reason I vote Neely.
Neely scored 50 goals in 44 games. Only Gretzky has scored 50 in fewer games, and only Lemieux has matched it. Neely did this while suffering through major injuries which would force him to retire 2 years later, and dealing with the death of his father.
I think roshiajin is simply a homer for Russian players, his name means Russian. He also probably isn't old enough to have seen Neely play, or at least not in his prime.
Pavel Bure, though a great goal scorer and an electrifying player, was a soft, selfish player who never used his linemates, and who never even attempted to backcheck or play defense. Cam Neely was all about heart, grit, and determination. He was one of the league's best goal scorers, hardest hitters, toughest fighters, and one of the best teammates anyone could have.
This is a meaningless debate anyway. Why would you compare the two? They're opposite types of players.
Pavel Bure, though a great goal scorer and an electrifying player, was a soft, selfish player who never used his linemates, and who never even attempted to backcheck or play defense. Cam Neely was all about heart, grit, and determination. He was one of the league's best goal scorers, hardest hitters, toughest fighters, and one of the best teammates anyone could have.
This is a meaningless debate anyway. Why would you compare the two? They're opposite types of players.
not true at all. Bure was selfish in the later half of his career, but he was never a soft player.
not true at all. Bure was selfish in the later half of his career, but he was never a soft player.
He still played like his own blue line was where the rink ended.
Maybe not soft in the sense that you could smack him around and he'd disappear, but he played a soft style. Nothing wrong with that, but being physical can be beneficial to your team.
I didn't want to turn this into bashing Bure, he is probably going to be in the Hall of Fame eventually (when he's eligible), but this other guy makes no sense trying to say that Neely isn't in the same league as Bure.
no actually Bure won this until somebody did what I said, and all of a sudden about 150 new people cast their vote, 95% of which voted for Neely
Really? Well, I just stopped by here, and placed my vote. I am a Habs fan who hates the Bruins with a passion. I despised Cam Neely during his days as a Bruin. I don't know how many different names I called him, but you can be sure that I couldn't post any of them here on HF Boards.
, which is about the peak of his off ice acheivements). For this reason I vote Neely.
