The trade that sent Rick Vaive from the Vancouver Canucks to the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 18, 1980, proved to be a pivotal moment for both the player and the trajectory of the Maple Leafs franchise. This trade, which saw Vaive and Bill Derlago head to Toronto in exchange for Jerry Butler and Tiger Williams, set off a chain reaction of subsequent transactions that rippled across the league for years to come.

Prior to joining the NHL, Rick Vaive gained professional experience in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Birmingham Bulls. He showcased his offensive capabilities early on, scoring 26 goals and accumulating 59 points in 75 games. Following the NHL-WHA merger, Vaive was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks as the fifth overall pick in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. In his initial stint with Vancouver, he recorded 13 goals and 21 points in 47 games. Despite his promising start, the Canucks felt they could acquire a player who would make a more substantial impact on their roster.

In Toronto, Vaive found his stride and became a prolific scorer. Paired with Derlago and Pat Hickey, Vaive quickly established himself as a key offensive threat for the Maple Leafs. In his first full season with the club, he tallied 33 goals and 62 points. The following season, 1981-82, marked a historic moment as Vaive became the first player in Maple Leafs history to reach the 50-goal plateau, finishing with 54 goals and 35 assists. His record stood for 40 years until Auston Matthews surpassed it in 2022. Vaive went on to score 50 or more goals in the following two seasons as well. He served as the team's captain from 1982 to 1986.

However, after several successful seasons in Toronto, Vaive was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on September 3, 1987, along with Bob McGill and Steve Thomas, in exchange for Al Secord and Ed Olczyk. While he initially found success in Chicago, scoring 43 goals in his first season, he was later traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Vaive's career eventually led him to the Hamilton Canucks of the AHL before he retired in 1993.

The initial trade that brought Vaive to Toronto was part of a larger effort by Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard and General Manager Punch Imlach to reshape the team. This "Friends of Darryl Sittler" purge involved trading away fan favorites like Lanny McDonald. While the trade initially appeared to favor the Canucks, as they acquired two veteran players in Butler and Williams, it was the Maple Leafs who ultimately benefited from Vaive's offensive contributions.

Rick Vaive's impact on the Toronto Maple Leafs extended beyond his scoring records. He became a symbol of hope and excitement during a period when the franchise struggled to find consistent success. His scoring prowess and leadership qualities made him a fan favorite and a respected figure in the hockey community.