# 1979–80 Quebec Nordiques season

The 1979–80 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques eighth season overall, however, it marked as their expansion season in the National Hockey League. Quebec had played their previous seven seasons in the now defunct World Hockey Association. In 1978–79, their last season in the WHA, Quebec finished the year with the second best record, as they had a 41–34–5 record, earning 87 points. The Nordiques were then swept by the Winnipeg Jets in the WHA semi-finals. In the NHL, the team finished out of the playoffs.

## Off-season

During the off-season, the Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, and Winnipeg Jets were admitted into the NHL as expansion teams. Quebec would be placed in the Adams Division in the Wales Conference. The other teams in the Nordiques division was the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. Quebec held on to head coach Jacques Demers.
As many of the WHA players had their rights held by NHL teams, those NHL teams were allowed to reclaim their players. In order to keep the NHL from taking all the talent from the WHA-turned-NHL teams, each incoming franchise was allowed to protect up to two goaltenders and two skaters. These were designated as "priority selections" in the 1979 NHL expansion draft. The Nordiques made a deal with the Chicago Black Hawks, in which Quebec would keep Réal Cloutier in exchange for the Nordiques first round draft pick in the 1980 NHL entry draft. Quebec made a deal with the Montreal Canadiens in which Montreal selected Dan Geoffrion and Alain Cote from the Nordiques, rather than Marc Tardif and Richard David. In exchange for this, the Nordiques relinquished a third round pick in the 1980 NHL entry draft, a second round pick in the 1981 NHL entry draft, and that the Nordiques would draft Alain Cote from the Canadiens at the 1979 NHL expansion draft.
On June 28, 1979, the Nordiques acquired Jamie Hislop from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Barry Legge. Hislop played with the Cincinnati Stingers in the 1978–79, as he scored 30 goals and 70 points in 80 games.
The Nordiques acquired goaltender Goran Hogosta from the New York Islanders for goaltender Richard Brodeur. Hogosta played the 1978–79 season with the Fort Worth Texans, earning a record of 25–29–4 with a 3.51 GAA and a .877 save percentage. Brodeur had been with the Nordiques during their entire existence in the WHA. In 1978–79, Brodeur had a 25–13–3 record with a 3.11 GAA and a .901 save percentage with Quebec.
At the 1979 NHL entry draft held on August 9, the Nordiques selected Michel Goulet from the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association in the first round, 20th overall. In 78 games with the Bulls during the 1978–79, Goulet scored 28 goals and 58 points. In the second round, Quebec selected Dale Hunter from the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League. Hunter scored 34 goals and 85 points in 61 games during the 1978–79 season. In the fourth round, the Nordiques selected Anton Stastny from Slovan ChZJD Bratislava of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League. Stastny scored 32 goals and 51 points in 44 games during the 1978–79 season.
Quebec signed free agent Robbie Ftorek on August 13, who played the 1978–79 season with the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association. Ftorek finished second in WHA scoring with 39 goals and 77 assists to earn 116 points in 80 games. Ftorek has previous NHL experience, as in 15 games with the Detroit Red Wings from 1972 to 1974, Ftorek scored two goals and seven points.

## Regular season

Quebec played in their first ever NHL game on October 10, 1979, at Le Colisée in Quebec City, as the Nordiques lost 5–3 to the Atlanta Flames. The Nords won their first ever NHL game in their third game, defeating the Colorado Rockies 5–2 in Denver, Colorado. During the first half of the season, the Nordiques were very competitive, earning a 17–17–6 record as they held on to a playoff position, however, wins were few and far between in the second half of the year, as Quebec fell into last place, and finished the year 25–44–11, earning 61 points, and missing the post-season.
Offensively, the Nordiques were led by Real Cloutier, who in his first NHL season, had a team best 42 goals and 47 assists for 89 points. Real Cloutier scored three goals in his National League Debut. Marc Tardif had a solid season, scoring 33 goals and 68 points, while the Nordiques first round draft pick, Michel Goulet, had 22 goals and 54 points to finish in third in team scoring. On the blue line, Dale Hoganson led the way, earning 40 points, while Pierre Lacroix scored 9 goals and 30 points. Paul Baxter led the club with 145 penalty minutes.
In goal, Michel Dion saw most of the action, appearing in 50 games, earning a team high 15 victories and a 3.70 GAA, as well as two shutouts.

### Season standings

Adams Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 47 | 17 | 16 | 318 | 201 | 110 |
| Boston Bruins | 80 | 46 | 21 | 13 | 310 | 234 | 105 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 80 | 36 | 28 | 16 | 311 | 253 | 88 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 80 | 35 | 40 | 5 | 304 | 327 | 75 |
| Quebec Nordiques | 80 | 25 | 44 | 11 | 248 | 313 | 61 |
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.
League standings :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | p – Philadelphia Flyers | PTK | 80 | 48 | 12 | 20 | 327 | 254 | 116 |
| 2 | y – Buffalo Sabres | ADM | 80 | 47 | 17 | 16 | 318 | 201 | 110 |
| 3 | x – Montreal Canadiens | NRS | 80 | 47 | 20 | 13 | 328 | 240 | 107 |
| 4 | Boston Bruins | ADM | 80 | 46 | 21 | 13 | 310 | 234 | 105 |
| 5 | New York Islanders | PTK | 80 | 39 | 28 | 13 | 281 | 247 | 91 |
| 6 | Minnesota North Stars | ADM | 80 | 36 | 28 | 16 | 311 | 253 | 88 |
| 7 | x – Chicago Black Hawks | SMY | 80 | 34 | 27 | 19 | 241 | 250 | 87 |
| 8 | New York Rangers | PTK | 80 | 38 | 32 | 10 | 308 | 284 | 86 |
| 9 | Atlanta Flames | PTK | 80 | 35 | 32 | 13 | 282 | 269 | 83 |
| 10 | St. Louis Blues | SMY | 80 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 266 | 278 | 80 |
| 11 | Toronto Maple Leafs | ADM | 80 | 35 | 40 | 5 | 304 | 327 | 75 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Kings | NRS | 80 | 30 | 36 | 14 | 290 | 313 | 74 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NRS | 80 | 30 | 37 | 13 | 251 | 303 | 73 |
| 14 | Hartford Whalers | NRS | 80 | 27 | 34 | 19 | 303 | 312 | 73 |
| 15 | Vancouver Canucks | SMY | 80 | 27 | 37 | 16 | 256 | 281 | 70 |
| 16 | Edmonton Oilers | SMY | 80 | 28 | 39 | 13 | 301 | 322 | 69 |
| 17 | Washington Capitals | PTK | 80 | 27 | 40 | 13 | 261 | 293 | 67 |
| 18 | Detroit Red Wings | NRS | 80 | 26 | 43 | 11 | 268 | 306 | 63 |
| 19 | Quebec Nordiques | ADM | 80 | 25 | 44 | 11 | 248 | 313 | 61 |
| 20 | Winnipeg Jets | SMY | 80 | 20 | 49 | 11 | 214 | 314 | 51 |
| 21 | Colorado Rockies | SMY | 80 | 19 | 48 | 13 | 234 | 308 | 51 |
Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe
bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference. x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

### Record vs. opponents

Adams Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
MIN
QUE
TOR
Total
Boston
—2–1–12–24–04–012–3–1
Buffalo
1–2–1—2–1–13–14–010–4–2
Minnesota
2–21–2–1—2–1–12–27–7–2
Quebec
0–41–31–2–1—3–15–10–1
Toronto
0–40–42–21–3—3–13–0
Vs. Norris Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
DET
HFD
LAK
MTL
PIT
Total
Boston
2–1–12–1–12–1–11–32–29–8–3
Buffalo
3–13–13–0–11–1–24–014–3–3
Minnesota
1–2–14–00–2–21–33–19–8–3
Quebec
1–2–11–1–21–31–2–12–26–10–4
Toronto
4–02–20–3–11–32–29–10–1
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Patrick Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
ATL
NYI
NYR
PHI
WSH
Total
Boston
4–03–12–21–1–22–1–112–5–3
Buffalo
3–0–12–1–12–1–10–3–14–011–5–4
Minnesota
1–1–22–0–22–1–11–33–0–19–5–6
Quebec
0–3–10–41–2–10–3–11–1–22–13–5
Toronto
3–11–32–21–1–23–110–8–2
Vs. Smythe Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
CHI
COL
EDM
STL
VAN
WIN
Total
Boston
2−22−1−14−01−1−21−0−33−113−5−6
Buffalo
1−1−23−12−1−12−21−0−33−0−112−5−7
Minnesota
1−2−13−11−1−23−11−2−12−1−111−8−5
Quebec
1−2−13−12−22−22−22−212−11−1
Toronto
0−43−0−11−2−12−23−14−013−9−2 :

## Schedule and results

| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Pts | Attendance |
| 1 | October 10 | Atlanta Flames | 5–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 0–1–0 | 0 | 10,350 |
| 2 | October 13 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–3 | Montreal Canadiens | 0–2–0 | 0 | 17,049 |
| 3 | October 18 | Quebec Nordiques | 5–2 | Colorado Rockies | 1–2–0 | 2 | 6,389 |
| 4 | October 19 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–6 | Edmonton Oilers | 1–3–0 | 2 | 15,386 |
| 5 | October 21 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–0 | Chicago Black Hawks | 2–3–0 | 4 | 9,893 |
| 6 | October 24 | Hartford Whalers | 2–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–3–1 | 5 | 10,445 |
| 7 | October 27 | Buffalo Sabres | 3–0 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–4–1 | 5 | 10,896 |
| 8 | October 28 | Montreal Canadiens | 4–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–4–1 | 7 | 11,908 |
| 9 | October 31 | Winnipeg Jets | 5–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–5–1 | 7 | 10,430 |
| 10 | November 2 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–4 | Atlanta Flames | 3–5–2 | 8 | 11,356 |
| 11 | November 4 | Detroit Red Wings | 1–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–5–2 | 10 | 10,795 |
| 12 | November 7 | Philadelphia Flyers | 4–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–6–2 | 10 | 11,899 |
| 13 | November 10 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–5 | New York Rangers | 4–7–2 | 10 | 17,417 |
| 14 | November 11 | St. Louis Blues | 1–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 5–7–2 | 12 | 10,260 |
| 15 | November 14 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–7 | Minnesota North Stars | 5–8–2 | 12 | 10,955 |
| 16 | November 16 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–2 | Winnipeg Jets | 6–8–2 | 14 | 12,401 |
| 17 | November 18 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 7–8–2 | 16 | 10,577 |
| 18 | November 20 | Boston Bruins | 5–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 7–9–2 | 16 | 11,897 |
| 19 | November 22 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–7 | Boston Bruins | 7–10–2 | 16 | 11,699 |
| 20 | November 24 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–4 | Hartford Whalers | 7–10–3 | 17 | 7,627 |
| 21 | November 25 | Washington Capitals | 2–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 7–10–4 | 18 | 10,643 |
| 22 | November 27 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–4 | St. Louis Blues | 7–11–4 | 18 | 8,360 |
| 23 | November 28 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–7 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7–12–4 | 18 | 8,396 |
| 24 | December 1 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–7 | Washington Capitals | 7–13–4 | 18 | 6,892 |
| 25 | December 2 | Vancouver Canucks | 1–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 8–13-4 | 20 | 10,567 |
| 26 | December 4 | Colorado Rockies | 3–1 | Quebec Nordiques | 8–14–4 | 20 | 10,299 |
| 27 | December 6 | St. Louis Blues | 2–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 9–14–4 | 22 | 10,347 |
| 28 | December 9 | Los Angeles Kings | 2–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 10–14–4 | 24 | 11,168 |
| 29 | December 12 | Winnipeg Jets | 0–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 11–14–4 | 26 | 10,326 |
| 30 | December 13 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–6 | Philadelphia Flyers | 11–15–4 | 26 | 17,007 |
| 31 | December 15 | Quebec Nordiques | 4–4 | Detroit Red Wings | 11–15–5 | 27 | 15,609 |
| 32 | December 16 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 12–15–5 | 29 | 10,279 |
| 33 | December 19 | Colorado Rockies | 3–6 | Quebec Nordiques | 13–15–5 | 31 | 10,806 |
| 34 | December 23 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–1 | Buffalo Sabres | 14–15–5 | 33 | 16,433 |
| 35 | December 27 | Quebec Nordiques | 0–3 | Los Angeles Kings | 14–16–5 | 33 | 9,978 |
| 36 | December 29 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–6 | Vancouver Canucks | 14–17–5 | 33 | 13,615 |
| 37 | December 30 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–1 | Edmonton Oilers | 15–17–5 | 35 | 15,423 |
| 38 | January 2 | New York Rangers | 3–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 15–17–6 | 36 | 11,898 |
| 39 | January 5 | Quebec Nordiques | 7–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 16–17–6 | 38 | 16,485 |
| 40 | January 9 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 17–17–6 | 40 | 10,480 |
| 41 | January 11 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–4 | Atlanta Flames | 17–18–6 | 40 | 9,246 |
| 42 | January 12 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–8 | St. Louis Blues | 17–19–6 | 40 | 15,110 |
| 43 | January 16 | Boston Bruins | 3–1 | Quebec Nordiques | 17–20–6 | 40 | 11,899 |
| 44 | January 19 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–3 | New York Islanders | 17–21–6 | 40 | 14,995 |
| 45 | January 20 | Washington Capitals | 2–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 18–21–6 | 42 | 10,097 |
| 46 | January 23 | Minnesota North Stars | 4–6 | Quebec Nordiques | 19-21–6 | 44 | 10,710 |
| 47 | January 26 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–1 | Washington Capitals | 19–21–7 | 45 | 9,479 |
| 48 | January 27 | Detroit Red Wings | 7–6 | Quebec Nordiques | 19–22–7 | 45 | 10,765 |
| 49 | January 30 | Atlanta Flames | 4–1 | Quebec Nordiques | 19–23–7 | 45 | 10,776 |
| 50 | February 2 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–7 | Boston Bruins | 19–24–7 | 45 | 12,298 |
| 51 | February 3 | New York Rangers | 4–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 20–24–7 | 47 | 11,075 |
| 52 | February 6 | Chicago Black Hawks | 3–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 20–24–8 | 48 | 11,073 |
| 53 | February 9 | Quebec Nordiques | 0–5 | New York Islanders | 20–25–8 | 48 | 14,995 |
| 54 | February 10 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–3 | New York Rangers | 20–26–8 | 48 | 17,415 |
| 55 | February 14 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–5 | Montreal Canadiens | 20–27–8 | 48 | 16,970 |
| 56 | February 17 | Quebec Nordiques | 5–6 | Winnipeg Jets | 20–28–8 | 48 | 12,328 |
| 57 | February 18 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–6 | Minnesota North Stars | 20–29–8 | 48 | 8,283 |
| 58 | February 19 | Buffalo Sabres | 3–1 | Quebec Nordiques | 20–30–8 | 48 | 10,722 |
| 59 | February 23 | Quebec Nordiques | 1–2 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 20–31–8 | 48 | 14,116 |
| 60 | February 24 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 0–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 21–31–8 | 50 | 10,227 |
| 61 | February 26 | Hartford Whalers | 5–9 | Quebec Nordiques | 22–31–8 | 52 | 10,099 |
| 62 | February 27 | New York Islanders | 5–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 22–32–8 | 52 | 10,619 |
| 63 | March 2 | Los Angeles Kings | 4–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 22–33–8 | 52 | 10,777 |
| 64 | March 5 | Minnesota North Stars | 3-3 | Quebec Nordiques | 22–33–9 | 53 | 10,193 |
| 65 | March 8 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 22–34–9 | 53 | 16,485 |
| 66 | March 9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4–5 | Quebec Nordiques | 23–34-9 | 55 | 10,241 |
| 67 | March 12 | Edmonton Oilers | 6–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 23–35–9 | 55 | 10,619 |
| 68 | March 16 | Vancouver Canucks | 3–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 23–36–9 | 55 | 10,699 |
| 69 | March 19 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–5 | Chicago Black Hawks | 23–37–9 | 55 | 10,035 |
| 70 | March 20 | Quebec Nordiques | 6–2 | Colorado Rockies | 24–37–9 | 57 | 8,732 |
| 71 | March 22 | Quebec Nordiques | 1-4 | Los Angeles Kings | 24–38-9 | 57 | 10,635 |
| 72 | March 23 | Quebec Nordiques | 6–2 | Vancouver Canucks | 25–38–9 | 59 | 13,620 |
| 73 | March 26 | Chicago Black Hawks | 7–2 | Quebec Nordiques | 25–39–9 | 59 | 10,718 |
| 74 | March 27 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–5 | Philadelphia Flyers | 25–40–9 | 59 | 17,077 |
| 75 | March 29 | Quebec Nordiques | 7–9 | Detroit Red Wings | 25–41–9 | 59 | 16,485 |
| 76 | March 30 | New York Islanders | 9–6 | Quebec Nordiques | 25–42–9 | 59 | 10,412 |
| 77 | April 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 3–3 | Quebec Nordiques | 25–42–10 | 60 | 10,706 |
| 78 | April 3 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–8 | Buffalo Sabres | 25–43–10 | 60 | 16,433 |
| 79 | April 4 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–9 | Hartford Whalers | 25–44–10 | 60 | 14,356 |
| 80 | April 6 | Montreal Canadiens | 4–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 25–44–11 | 61 | 11,005 |

## Player statistics
### Scoring leaders

| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Réal Cloutier | 67 | 42 | 47 | 89 | 12 |
| Marc Tardif | 58 | 33 | 35 | 68 | 30 |
| Michel Goulet | 77 | 22 | 32 | 54 | 48 |
| Robbie Ftorek | 52 | 18 | 33 | 51 | 28 |
| Rich Leduc | 75 | 21 | 27 | 48 | 49 |

### Goaltending

| Player | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | GAA |
| Michel Dion | 50 | 2773 | 15 | 25 | 6 | 171 | 2 | 3.70 |
| Ron Low | 15 | 828 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 51 | 0 | 3.70 |
| Goran Hogosta | 21 | 1199 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 83 | 1 | 4.15 |
    Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
    Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

## 1979 NHL expansion draft

The Nordiques participated in the 1979 NHL expansion draft, which was held on June 13, 1979.

### Quebec Nordiques selections

| # | Player | Drafted from |
| 1. | Dave Farrish (D) | New York Rangers |
| 2. | Gerry Hart (D) | New York Islanders |
| 3. | Ron Low (G) | Detroit Red Wings |
| 4. | Pierre Plante (RW) | New York Rangers |
| 5. | Blair Stewart (F) | Washington Capitals |
| 6. | John Baby (D) | Minnesota North Stars |
| 7. | John Smrke (LW) | St. Louis Blues |
| 8. | Dave Parro (G) | Boston Bruins |
| 9. | Ken Kuzyk (RW) | Minnesota North Stars |
| 10. | Roland Cloutier (C) | Detroit Red Wings |
| 11. | Terry Martin (F) | Buffalo Sabres |
| 12. | Jamie Masters (D) | St. Louis Blues |
| 13. | Hartland Monahan (F) | Los Angeles Kings |
| 14. | Ron Andruff (C) | Colorado Rockies |
| 15. | Alain Cote (LW) | Montreal Canadiens |
| 16. | Lars Zetterstrom (D) | Vancouver Canucks |

## Draft picks

Quebec's draft picks from the 1979 NHL entry draft which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, on August 9, 1979.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team (league) |
| 1 | 20 | Michel Goulet | Canada | Birmingham Bulls (WHA) |
| 2 | 41 | Dale Hunter | Canada | Sudbury Wolves (OMJHL) |
| 3 | 62 | Lee Norwood | United States | Oshawa Generals (OMJHL) |
| 4 | 83 | Anton Šťastný | Czechoslovakia | Slovan Bratislava (Czech.) |
| 5 | 104 | Pierre Lacroix | Canada | Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL) |
| 6 | 125 | Scott McGeown | Canada | Toronto Marlboros (OMJHL) |

## Transactions

The Nordiques were involved in the following transactions during the 1979–80 season.

### Trades

| June 9, 1979 | To Chicago Black Hawks1st round pick in 1980 – Denis Savard | To Quebec Nordiques*Real Cloutier |
| June 9, 1979 | To Montreal Canadiens3rd round pick in 1980 – John Newberry 2nd round pick in 1981 – Lars Eriksson | To Quebec Nordiques**Marc Tardif Richard David |
| June 13, 1979 | To St. Louis BluesHartland Monahan | To Quebec NordiquesCash |
| June 15, 1979 | To Washington CapitalsDave Parro | To Quebec NordiquesNelson Burton |
| June 28, 1979 | To Winnipeg JetsBarry Melrose | To Quebec NordiquesJamie Hislop Barry Legge |
| August 1, 1979 | To New York IslandersRichard Brodeur | To Quebec NordiquesGoran Hogosta |
| December 13, 1979 | To Toronto Maple LeafsDave Farrish Terry Martin | To Quebec NordiquesReg Thomas |
| March 11, 1980 | To Edmonton OilersRon Low | To Quebec NordiquesRon Chipperfield |
| May 26, 1980 | To Winnipeg JetsBarry Legge | To Quebec NordiquesCash |
*Black Hawks promised to not make Réal Cloutier one of its priority selections in the 1979 NHL reclaim draft
**Canadiens promised to not take Danny Geoffrion and Alain Cote rather than Marc Tardif and/or Richard David in the 1979 NHL reclaim draft

### Waivers

| August 13, 1979 | From Minnesota North StarsGreg Tebbutt |

### Free agents

| Player | Former Team |
| Bernie Saunders | Kalamazoo Wings (IHL) |
| Robbie Ftorek | Cincinnati Stingers (WHA) |
| Frantisek Cernik | TJ Vitkovice (Czechoslovakia) |
| Dave Pichette | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) |
| Jacques Richard | Buffalo Sabres |
| Miroslav Frycer | TJ Vitkovice (Czechoslovakia) |
| Player | New Team |
| Ken Kuzyk | Minnesota North Stars |