During his best season in Toronto, he scored 22 goals in 55 games, then on February 18, 1980 he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Rick Vaive and Bill Derlago.

He also earned a place in the mid-season All-Star game, in which he played on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy.

After Vancouver, Williams played for the Detroit Red Wings for most of the 1984–85 NHL season, then was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

Bryan Trottier, who had a long and illustrious career with the New York Islanders, credits Williams with talking him out of quitting hockey as a youngster.

In 1996, Canadian punk rock band The Hanson Brothers spearheaded a campaign to agitate for Williams' induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

[citation needed] As a guest on Tony Gallagher's phone-in radio program, Williams claimed that Canucks manager Pat Quinn attempted to have his jersey number 22 sweater retired by the team.

However, rules at the time required the Canucks to ask permission from the previous player who wore it, Bob Manno.

[citation needed] Number 22 was later worn by (and retired in honour of) Canucks alternate captain and Art Ross trophy winner, Daniel Sedin.