Playing for 'the' rival

posted by Rocket All Habs I'm thinking, today, about Dick Duff. Duff played just over five seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. He won four Stanley Cups with the Habs and is a member of the Hockey all of Fame. Not a big player in stature, Duff was known for being a fierce competitor and earned the reputation as "pound-for-pound one of the toughest men in the game." Duff was also a guy who would shine in big games, especially in the playoffs. So why does Duff come to mind today? Well, prior to playing with the Canadiens, Duff was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs (with a very short stay with the Rangers in between) where he had played for 10 seasons. Duff knows all about playing on both sides of a fierce rivalry, which was perhaps more intense in his day with only six teams in the league. And Dick Duff wore No.8. Mike Komisarek is about to be introduced to Dick Duff's world, in reverse. When the NHL schedule for 2009-2010 comes out in a few weeks, Komisarek will circle his first trip ... (link)