Why is Dick Duff in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Never a top offensive player in the league, Dick Duff was inducted into the Hall of Fame 34 years after retired.

In the latest episode of our podcast, we ask why Dick Duff was inducted at all, why he was inducted when he was, and whether or not his induction sets a dangerous precedent for the Hall of Fame.

Listen here:

Dick Duff’s Career:

• NHL: 1954-72; 18 seasons, 10 quality
• Totals:
  • 283G (19th All Time at his retirement), 
  • 289A for 
  • 572P, 
  • -46 (since 1959-60) in 
  • 1030 GP; 
  • 49.7 PS
• Era: Of the 17 players to play in at least 1,014 games (13 contemporary seasons), Duff is
  • 9th in Goals
  • 9th in GPG
  • 14th in Assists
  • 12th in APG
  • 12th in Points
  • 10th in PPG
  • 14th in Plus/Minus
  • 11th in Offensive Point Shares
  • 14th in Point Shares
• 82-game average: 22G, 23A for 46P, -4*
• 3-year peak (1957-60): 70-game average of 26G, 24A for 50P, +5*
• Playoffs:
  • 30G (16th All Time at his retirement)
  • 49A (16th) for
  • 79P (15th),
  • +26* (6th)
  • 20th in Games
  • At his retirement, Duff was 23rd All Time in Playoff APG and 25th in Playoff PPG
• Adjusted:
  • Hockey-Reference:
    • 313G, 320A for 633P
    • 82-game average: 25G, 24A for 50P
    • Obviously Duff is not on any Adjusted PG leader-boards
  • VsX:
    • 403G,
    • 302A
    • 705P
    • Obviously he is not on any VsX Adjusted PG leader-boards
• Trades:
  • Traded at 28 with Bob Nevin (almost 28), Rod Seiling (23), Arnie Brown (22) and Bill Collins (20) for Andy Bathgate (31) and Don McKenney (29) – The Back Check’s 5th Worst Leaf Trade of All Time, Asterisk
  • Traded 10 months later with Dave McComb for Bill Hicke (26) and the loan of JG Morissette (27)
  • Traded at nearly 36 for Dennis Hextall (26) – our Greatest Canadiens Trade of All Time
  • Traded 10 months later with Eddie Shack (33) for Mike McMahon (29) and future considerations.

Dick Duff’s Achievements:

• Goals:
  • Top 10 twice
  • Top 10 in GPG twice
  • Single-season totals:
    • Scored 25 goals four times
    • Scored 20 goals five times
• Points:
  • Scored 50 points once
• Plus/Minus:
  • Top 10 once
• All Star:
  • 7 All Star Game appearance
• VsX:
  • Best 7 Seasons:
    • Goals: 179th All Time
    • Assists: Doesn’t qualify
    • Points: Doesn’t qualify
  • Best 10 Seasons:
    • Goals: 154th All Time
    • Assists: Doesn’t qualify
    • Points: Doesn’t qualify.

Dick Duff’s Great Teams:

• NHL:
  • Top 3 Forward (by points) on two Champions (‘62 Leafs, ‘69 Canadiens) and one Final Four (‘56 Leafs)
  • Top 6 Forward (by points) on three Champions (‘63 Leafs, ‘65, ‘66 Canadiens) and two Runners Up (‘59, ‘60 Leafs)
  • Top 9 Forward (by points) on one Champion (‘68 Canadiens), one Runner Up (‘67 Canadiens) and one Final Four (‘61 Leafs)