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20. Rick Middleton

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20. Rick Middleton

Generally, when General Managers engineer trades, both hope for some sort of accurate equity in return. The New York Rangers certainly did not gain that equity when they traded Rick Middleton to the Boston Bruins for Ken Hodge, who was nearing the end of his career. Middleton, however, was just getting started. The man dubbed “Nifty” scored 898 points for his new team and proved to be the best offensive threat for the Bruins for nearly a decade.

Middleton was a complete star as he was just as comfortable on the Power Play as he was the Penalty Kill. A good man with a good career, Rick Middleton has been eligible for the Hall for a long time. Had he racked up more than one season with fifty goals or a hundred points, he might have had a better shot for induction than he currently has.

Should Rick Middleton be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 86%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 4.1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.3%
No opinion. - 0.6%
No way! - 4.1%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1991
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Games Played: 1005
  • Notable Statistics:

    448 Goals
    540 Assists
    988 Points
    +175 Plus/Minus
    157 PIM
    N/A Blocked Shots*
    N/A Hits*
    N/A Takeaways*
    N/A Giveaways*
    82.9 Point Shares

    111 Playoff Games
    45 Goals
    55 Assists
    100 Points
    +12 Plus/Minus
    17 PIM
    N/A Blocked Shots*
    N/A Hits*
    N/A Takeaways*
    N/A Giveaways*

    *These stats were first implemented in the 2007/08 Season.
  • Played For: Boston Bruins, New York Rangers
  • Non-NHL Teams: Team Canada (Canada Cup 1981, 1984)
    Oshawa Generals (OHA)
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Stanley Cup Ring (None)
    Second Team All-Star (1) (1982)
    Lady Byng Trophy (1) (1982)
    NHL All-Star (3) (1981, 1982 & 1984)
    Highest Shooting Percentage (1) (1982)
    Canada Cup Gold Medal (1) (Canada, 1984)
    Canada Cup Silver Medal (1) (Canada, 1981)
  • Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Ten Hart Trophy Finishes:
    8th in 1982 & 4th in 1984
    Top Ten Frank J. Selke Trophy Finishes:
    9th in 1983 & 4th in 1984
    Top Ten Lady Byng Trophy Finishes:
    3rd in 1979, 3rd in 1981, 1st in 1982, 2nd in 1983, 2nd in 1983, 9th in 1985, 10th in 1986 & 3rd in 1988
    3 Top Ten Goal Finishes
    2 Top Ten Point Finishes
    2 Top Ten Even Strength Goal Finishes
    3 Top Ten Power Play Goal Finishes
    3 Top Ten Short-Handed Goal Finishes 
    3 Top Ten Game-Winning Goal Finishes
    5 Top Ten Shooting Percentage Finishes
    3 Top Ten Offensive Point Shares Finishes
  • Rankings: 7. Shooting Percentage: 25.2
    40. Short-Handed Goals: 25
    62. Even Strength Goals: 308
    65. Goals Per Game: 0.45
    68. Goals: 448
    76. Points Per Game: 0.98
    100. Plus/Minus: 175

    Rankings are as of the end of the 2024-25 Season.

Should Rick Middleton be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 86%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 4.1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.3%
No opinion. - 0.6%
No way! - 4.1%

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