He improved to 23 goals in 1979–80, but after failing to score in his first 18 games the following season, he was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks on December 18, 1980, in a trade for defenceman Mike O'Connell.

[2] Secord joined the 50-goal club in 1982–83, posting 54 goals and 32 assists for a career-high 86 points and played in the NHL All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, but injuries began to take their toll.

Secord and Ed Olczyk went to Toronto, while Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas and defenceman Bob McGill headed to Chicago.

Secord spent two seasons with the Maple Leafs and was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers midway through 1988–89 for a fifth-round draft pick in 1989 that the Buffalo Sabres eventually used to select defenceman Keith Carney.

Secord re-signed with Chicago as a free agent and finished his NHL career in 1990, scoring 14 times in 43 games.