1988–89 Hartford Whalers season

Updated on Dec 18, 2024

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Division 4th Adams 1988–89 record 37-38-5 Goals against 290		Conference 8th Wales Goals for 299 General Manager Emile Francis

The 1988–89 Hartford Whalers season saw the team finish in fourth place in the Adams Division with a record of 37 wins, 38 losses, and 5 ties for 79 points. They were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in four straight games in the Division Semi-finals.

Regular season

The Whalers finished the regular season with the fewest short-handed goals scored (3) and the most short-handed goals allowed (18).

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Division semi-finals

Hartford Whalers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Defensemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against

Awards and records

Peter Sidorkiewicz, Goaltender, NHL First All-Rookie Team

Transactions

July 6, 1988 – Neil Sheehy and Mike Millar traded to the Washington Capitals for Grant Jennings and Ed Kastelic.

October 3, 1988 – Whalers lose Stewart Gavin and Tom Martin to the Minnesota North Stars in the waiver draft.

November 23, 1988 – Whalers release Richard Brodeur.

December 26, 1988 – Carey Wilson and Hartford's 1989 fifth round draft pick (Lubos Rob) traded to the New York Rangers for Norm Maciver, Brian Lawton, and Don Maloney.

March 6, 1989 – Scot Kleinendorst traded to the Washington Capitals for Jim Thomson.

March 7, 1989 – Torrie Robertson traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Jim Pavese.