Craig's Cindarella year continued when he posted a victory in his NHL debut with the Flames, but he was unable to add another win to his record in the remaining three games he played at the end of the 1079-80 season. That summer the Flames traded Craig to his home-state Boston Bruins in exchange for two draft picks.

With the Bruins Craig played 23 games and posted a 9-7-6 record but failed to make a lasting impression and veteran Rogie Vachon played the bulk of the games. The following season young Marco Baron and Vachon took over the duties and Craig found himself in the minors. In 1982 Craig returned to the scene of his greatest success when he joined the US National Team.

Craig played 26 games for the Nats and performed well enough to catch the attention of the NHL once more. The Minnesota North Stars, who were being led by former "Miracle on Ice" player Neal Broten offered Craig a free agent contract.

Much of the 1983-84 season was spent in the minors, but Craig did surface with the North Stars for three games. They would be the last games of his NHL career. After the season ended Craig retired from hockey.

In his post-hockey career Craig, who studied business and marketing at Boston University, worked as a marketing service consultant. Craig then became broker/business manager with Valassis Communications.

In 1999 Jim Craig was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation's Hall of Fame.