Why is Bob Pulford in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Bob Pulford is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. If you’re a Leafs fan, like one of us, you probably never asked “why?”

Pulford led the playoffs in assists when the Leafs last one a Stanley Cup. He also led the league in Short-Handed goals three times. That’s basically his case.

Don’t believe us? Read on. Or listen to us talk about Bob Pulford’s Hall of Fame case here:

Bob Pulford’s Career:

• NHL: 1956-72; 16 seasons, 13 quality
• Totals:
  • 281G (20th All Time at his retirement),
  • 362A for
  • 643P (21st All Time at his retirement),
  • -21 (since 1959-60) in
  • 1079 Games (21st All Time at his retirement);
  • 53 PS;
  • At his retirement, Pulford was 23rd All Time in Defensive Point Shares among forwards
• Per Game: Not on any leader-boards
• Not drafted
• Era: Of the 16 skaters to play in at least 984 games (12 modern seasons) between 1956 and 1972, Pulford is
  • 9th in Goals
  • 9th in GPG
  • 10th in Assists
  • 10th in APG
  • 9th in Points
  • 9th in PPG (3rd last among qualifying players)
  • 11th in Plus/Minus
  • 10th in Offensive Point Shares
  • 14th in Defensive Point Shares
  • 13th in Point Shares
  • 4th in Games
• 82-game average: 21G, 28A for 49P, -2
• 3-year Peak (1965-68): 70-game average of 21G, 29A for 50P, +4 [Pulford’s 7 best seasons are spread out over a decade so this is slightly unfair]
• No possession stats
• Playoffs:
  • 25G,
  • 26A for
  • 51P,
  • -3 (since 1959-60) in
  • 89 Games
  • Per Game: not on any leader-boards
  • Era: Of the 28 skaters to play in at least 82 playoff games between 1956 and 1972, Pulford is
    • 9th in playoff Goals
    • 7th in playoff GPG
    • 18th in playoff Assists
    • 19th in playoff APG (doesn’t actually qualify)
    • 14th in playoff Points
    • 14th in playoff PPG (2nd last among qualifying players)
    • 22nd in playoff Plus/Minus
• Adjusted for Era:
  • Hockey-Reference:
    • 300G,
    • 390A for
    • 690P
    • Adjusted 82-game average: 23G, 30A for 52P (+3P per 82 games)
    • Per Game: obviously not in the Top 25
  • VsX:
    • 394G,
    • 532A
    • 775P
    • Per Game: Doesn’t qualify
• Trades:
  • Traded at 34 for Garry Monahan (23) and Brian Murphy (23)

Bob Pulford’s Accomplishments:

• Goals:
  • Top 10 in Goals twice
• All Star:
  • 5 All Star Games
• VsX Peak:
  • Best 7 Seasons:
    • Goals: 216th All Time
    • Assists: doesn’t qualify
    • Points: doesn’t qualify
  • Best 10 Seasons:
    • Goals: 178th All Time
    • Assists:doesn’t qualify
    • Points: doesn’t qualify

Bob Pulford’s Great Teams:

• Top 3 Forward (led league in assists) on one Champion (‘67 Leafs)
• Top 3 Forward (by points) on one Final Four (‘66 Leafs)
• Top 6 Forward (by points) on two Champions (‘62, ‘63 Leafs), two Runners Up (‘59, ‘60 Leafs) and one Final Four (‘65 Leafs)
• Top 9 Forward (by points) on one Champion (‘64 Leafs)
• Role Player (by points) on one Final Four (‘61 Leafs)