Cam Neely / Rick Tocchet Debate

[Ken_Baumgartner]

Not sure if this topic already exists or not but I thought I would throw it out there. Cam Neely and Rick Tocchet. Two of the best power forwards in the history of hockey. My question is, if you could have one of them on your team, who would it be? Here is a breakdown of some of their numbers.

Games Goals Assists Points PIM

Neely 727 395 299 694 1241

Tocchet 841 359 417 776 2457


More goals in less games makes Neely look like a good choice. However, Rick Tocchet is ahead in assists by more then 100. If you even out their games played, their point totals would be similar. In the penalty minutes department Tocchet is way ahead. He leads by over 1200 minutes in just 114 more games. Tocchet scored 40+ goals 3 times and was a 30+ goal man twice. His other goal totals vary between 14 and 29. Cam Neely has scored 50+ on 3 occassions. Hit the 40+ plateau once and scored 30+ in 2 seasons. The rest of his totals range from 9 - 27. It should be noted that the 9 goal low came in just 9 games. In terms of hitting I would give the edge to Neely. I think he was quicker and got in on the defence better. And fighting. I thought both were good fighters. I think Cam Neely was able to hold his own. But I think Rick Tocchet was a much more accomplished heavyweight. Defensivly I don't remember either of them being all that stand out. At first I thought it was a lock that I would pick Cam Neely. After looking at the numbers overall, it looks like Tocchet stacked up well against Cam and made a nice case for himself. What do you guys think?

[peacemaker]

I have a lot of respect for Tochett, but for me Cam is a no-brainer. Numerous times he challenged the 50 in 50 mark. The toughness portion of their games was pretty similar.
Tochett had more assists...while that is true, I'd take a guy that scores goals at the rate of few others in the history of the game, over a guy who can get more assists. If he was setting up goals at a 'Gretzky-like' pace, things would be different...but we are talking one of the very best pure snipers of all-time here.

[HordiBrusk29]

Both are favorites of mine. Ultimately, Neely was probably my favorite player. So by default I like him more than Tocchet. However, I like Tocchet so much that it is very close (if that makes any sense, LOL). However, this is a no brainer, IMO. Cam Neely was the better player.

[EDDIESHORETOEBLAKE]

I go with Neely here . . . better scorer and bigger hitter . . . one of my top 10 favorite players ever . . .

[Shoebottom]

I give Neely the edge over Tocchett. There have been quite a few really tough individuals that were also great hockey players but Neely's finesse and brute force combination is without peers, IMO. Perhaps briefly Lindros was there but I feel Neely is a one of a kind. I think Tocchett falls into the category of guys like Nystrom, Gillies, and Shanahan. Not bad company to be in, by the way.

[Fletch]

Going with Neely over Tocchet. How close do you guys think Shanahan compares to these two?

I think in Shanahan's NJ & STL days he comes very close to these two if not about the same. At least closer or maybe better then Tocchet, but Im not sure if close to Neely. Any thoughts?

[HordiBrusk29]

Personally I feel Neely was better than Tocchet and Shanahan. But I would seriously have to think in regards to who is better, Tocchet or Shanny...

[Dr Hook]

This is how I would compare them:

Scoring(goals/assist): Neely
Checking: Draw/Edge Neely
Defensive game: Tocchet
Fighting: Tocchet

I feel that Neely was a way better scorer, but Tocchet is ahead in the fighting department. Tocchet was also a better defensive player, which he doesn't get alot of credit for. Both players are good checkers, maybe Neely was better, but I'd have to watch the footage.

[HordiBrusk29]

Neely was definitely a better checker than Tocchet, IMO. Very easily.

And it isn't really fair considering Neely wasn't able to play a full career (as opposed to Tocchet). But as far as both players in their primes go, Neely should win no question about it.

[jayc948]

I would have to with Neely as the better all-around player.

[knuckles_nilan]

I would take Neely over Tocchet by a small margin. I remember when Neely played the Habs he was a threat to score every time out there, his line was dominant.

Knuckles

[furiousBall]

As a Flyers fan, it pains me to say it, but Neely. Rick was killer though and this doesn't account for Tocchet's awesome mullet in the 80s either.

[1PUNCHKO]

Originally Posted by motif

As a Flyers fan, it pains me to say it, but Neely. Rick was killer though and this doesn't account for Tocchet's awesome mullet in the 80s either.

Thanks Mo,my opinion exactly...

[Ober]

Neely