# 1988–89 Hartford Whalers season

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.

## Off-season

On June 11, 1988, the 1988 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal. With their first round draft pick, the Whalers selected left winger Chris Govedaris from the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey League. Govedaris scored 42 goals and 80 points in 69 games with the Marlboros during the 1987–88 season. With their second round selection, Hartford selected Barry Richter from the Culver Military Academy, where he scored 24 goals and 53 points in 35 games.
At the 1988 NHL Supplemental Draft, the Whalers selected Todd Krygier from the University of Connecticut. In 27 games with the Huskies, Krygier scored 32 goals and 71 points to lead the team in scoring. Following his season with Connecticut, Krygier signed with the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League, where he scored a goal and six points in 13 games during the 1987–88 season.
The Whalers signed Bob Bodak as a free agent on July 1. Bobak appeared in three games with the Calgary Flames during the 1987–88, earning no points and 22 penalty minutes. He played a majority of the season with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL, where in 44 games, Bobak scored 12 goals and 22 points.
On July 6, the Whalers acquired Grant Jennings and Ed Kastelic from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Neil Sheehy and Mike Millar. Jennings appeared in one post-season game with the Capitals, earning no points. He spent the rest of the season with the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League, where he scored two goals and 14 points in 56 games during the 1987–88. Kastelic scored one goal in 35 games with the Capitals during the 1987–88 season.
On August 3, Hartford signed free agent Al Tuer. Tuer appeared in six games with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1987–88 season, scoring one goal. In 68 games with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL, Tuer scored two goals and 17 points, while racking up 303 penalty minutes. The Whalers also signed Larry Trader, who scored two goals and six points in 30 games with the Montreal Canadiens during 1987–88.
At the waiver draft held on October 3, the Whalers lost Stew Gavin and Tom Martin to the Minnesota North Stars.

### Draft picks

Hartford's selections at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft:
| Pick # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/junior/club team |
| 11 | Chris Govedaris | Left Wing | Canada | Toronto Marlboros (OHL) |
| 32 | Barry Richter | Defense | United States | Culver Military Academy (USHS-IN) |
| 74 | Dean Dyer | Center | Canada | Lake Superior State University (CCHA) |
| 95 | Scott Morrow | Left Wing | United States | Northwood School (USHS-NY) |
| 116 | Corey Beaulieu | Left Wing | United States | Northwood School (USHS-NY) |
| 137 | Kerry Russell | Center | Canada | Michigan State University (CCHA) |
| 158 | Jim Burke | Defense | United States | University of Maine (Hockey East) |
| 179 | Mark Hirth | Center | United States | Michigan State University (CCHA) |
| 200 | Wayde Bucsis | Left Wing | Canada | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 221 | Rob White | Defense | Canada | St. Lawrence University (ECAC Hockey) |
| 242 | Dan Slatalla | Center | United States | Deerfield Academy (USHS-MA) |
| S | Todd Krygier | Left Wing | United States | University of Connecticut (ECAC East) |

## 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

Adams Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 53 | 18 | 9 | 315 | 218 | 115 |
| Boston Bruins | 80 | 37 | 29 | 14 | 289 | 256 | 88 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 38 | 35 | 7 | 291 | 299 | 83 |
| Hartford Whalers | 80 | 37 | 38 | 5 | 299 | 290 | 79 |
| Quebec Nordiques | 80 | 27 | 46 | 7 | 269 | 342 | 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.

### Record vs. opponents
#### Vs. Wales Conference

1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | BOS | BUF | HFD | MTL | QUE | Total |
| Boston | — | 0–5–3 | 5–3 | 0–7–1 | 4–1–3 | 9–16–7 |
| Buffalo | 5–0–3 | — | 3–5 | 3–5 | 3–4–1 | 14–13–5 |
| Hartford | 3–5 | 5–3 | — | 1–7 | 4–3–1 | 13–18–1 |
| Montreal | 7–0–1 | 5–3 | 7–1 | — | 4–4 | 23–8–1 |
| Quebec | 1–4–3 | 4–3–1 | 3–4–1 | 4–4 | — | 12–15–5 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | NJD | NYI | NYR | PHI | PIT | WSH | Total |
| Boston | 2–0–1 | 2–1 | 1–0–2 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 1–1–1 | 9–4–5 |
| Buffalo | 2–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 11–7–0 |
| Hartford | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 9–8–1 |
| Montreal | 3–0 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 1–0–2 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 11–4–3 |
| Quebec | 2–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–2–1 | 7–10–1 |

#### Vs. Campbell Conference

1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CHI | DET | MIN | STL | TOR | Total |
| Boston | 3–0 | 0–2–1 | 0–2–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 9–4–2 |
| Buffalo | 2–1 | 3–0 | 0–1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 8–5–2 |
| Hartford | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–0–2 | 2–1 | 9–4–2 |
| Montreal | 1–0–2 | 1–2 | 1–0–2 | 2–0–1 | 2–1 | 7–3–5 |
| Quebec | 0–2–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 4–10–1 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CGY | EDM | LAK | VAN | WIN | Total |
| Boston | 1–2 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 10–5–0 |
| Buffalo | 2–1 | 0–2–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 5–9–1 |
| Hartford | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–1–1 | 2–1 | 6–8–1 |
| Montreal | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 12–3–0 |
| Quebec | 1–2 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 4–11–0 |

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 1 | L | October 6, 1988 | 2–5 | Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 0–1–0 |
| 2 | L | October 8, 1988 | 2–6 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 0–2–0 |
| 3 | L | October 9, 1988 | 1–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 0–3–0 |
| 4 | W | October 12, 1988 | 4–3 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 1–3–0 |
| 5 | W | October 15, 1988 | 7–5 | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 2–3–0 |
| 6 | L | October 19, 1988 | 4–5 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 2–4–0 |
| 7 | W | October 22, 1988 | 8–6 | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 3–4–0 |
| 8 | W | October 26, 1988 | 7–1 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 4–4–0 |
| 9 | L | October 28, 1988 | 3–5 | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 4–5–0 |
| 10 | W | October 29, 1988 | 3–0 | New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 5–5–0 |
| 11 | L | November 1, 1988 | 3–5 | Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 5–6–0 |
| 12 | W | November 3, 1988 | 5–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 6–6–0 |
| 13 | L | November 5, 1988 | 2–3 OT | Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 6–7–0 |
| 14 | L | November 7, 1988 | 3–6 | @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 6–8–0 |
| 15 | T | November 9, 1988 | 1–1 OT | @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 6–8–1 |
| 16 | L | November 10, 1988 | 2–7 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 6–9–1 |
| 17 | W | November 12, 1988 | 3–1 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 7–9–1 |
| 18 | L | November 16, 1988 | 3–4 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 7–10–1 |
| 19 | L | November 18, 1988 | 2–3 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 7–11–1 |
| 20 | L | November 19, 1988 | 2–5 | Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 7–12–1 |
| 21 | W | November 23, 1988 | 4–3 | Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 8–12–1 |
| 22 | W | November 26, 1988 | 4–2 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 9–12–1 |
| 23 | L | November 30, 1988 | 3–6 | Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 9–13–1 |
| 24 | W | December 2, 1988 | 6–1 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 10–13–1 |
| 25 | L | December 3, 1988 | 2–4 | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 10–14–1 |
| 26 | W | December 6, 1988 | 9–0 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 11–14–1 |
| 27 | W | December 8, 1988 | 5–4 | New York Rangers (1988–89) | 12–14–1 |
| 28 | W | December 10, 1988 | 4–1 | Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 13–14–1 |
| 29 | L | December 14, 1988 | 3–4 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 13–15–1 |
| 30 | T | December 15, 1988 | 3–3 OT | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 13–15–2 |
| 31 | L | December 17, 1988 | 2–4 | Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 13–16–2 |
| 32 | L | December 19, 1988 | 1–2 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 13–17–2 |
| 33 | L | December 21, 1988 | 3–4 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 13–18–2 |
| 34 | L | December 23, 1988 | 4–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 13–19–2 |
| 35 | L | December 26, 1988 | 3–4 OT | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 13–20–2 |
| 36 | T | December 28, 1988 | 4–4 OT | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 13–20–3 |
| 37 | W | December 30, 1988 | 4–3 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 14–20–3 |
| 38 | W | December 31, 1988 | 3–2 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 15–20–3 |
| 39 | L | January 2, 1989 | 4–5 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 15–21–3 |
| 40 | W | January 4, 1989 | 5–4 OT | @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 16–21–3 |
| 41 | W | January 10, 1989 | 2–1 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 17–21–3 |
| 42 | L | January 14, 1989 | 6–9 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 17–22–3 |
| 43 | L | January 16, 1989 | 3–5 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) | 17–23–3 |
| 44 | L | January 18, 1989 | 1–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 17–24–3 |
| 45 | W | January 19, 1989 | 6–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 18–24–3 |
| 46 | W | January 21, 1989 | 5–4 | Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 19–24–3 |
| 47 | W | January 23, 1989 | 5–0 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 20–24–3 |
| 48 | T | January 25, 1989 | 3–3 OT | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 20–24–4 |
| 49 | W | January 27, 1989 | 8–6 | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 21–24–4 |
| 50 | L | January 28, 1989 | 2–3 OT | Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 21–25–4 |
| 51 | L | January 31, 1989 | 3–5 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 21–26–4 |
| 52 | L | February 3, 1989 | 0–1 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 21–27–4 |
| 53 | L | February 4, 1989 | 3–5 | @ New York Islanders (1988–89) | 21–28–4 |
| 54 | W | February 9, 1989 | 5–2 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 22–28–4 |
| 55 | W | February 11, 1989 | 7–3 | Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 23–28–4 |
| 56 | W | February 15, 1989 | 4–2 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) | 24–28–4 |
| 57 | W | February 18, 1989 | 4–3 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 25–28–4 |
| 58 | L | February 19, 1989 | 6–7 OT | @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 25–29–4 |
| 59 | L | February 21, 1989 | 4–7 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 25–30–4 |
| 60 | W | February 23, 1989 | 4–2 | Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 26–30–4 |
| 61 | L | February 25, 1989 | 1–9 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 26–31–4 |
| 62 | W | February 26, 1989 | 8–6 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 27–31–4 |
| 63 | W | February 28, 1989 | 3–1 | @ New York Islanders (1988–89) | 28–31–4 |
| 64 | W | March 2, 1989 | 2–1 | Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 29–31–4 |
| 65 | L | March 4, 1989 | 1–6 | Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 29–32–4 |
| 66 | W | March 5, 1989 | 3–0 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1988–89) | 30–32–4 |
| 67 | W | March 8, 1989 | 7–3 | Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 31–32–4 |
| 68 | L | March 11, 1989 | 3–5 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 31–33–4 |
| 69 | T | March 12, 1989 | 3–3 OT | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 31–33–5 |
| 70 | W | March 14, 1989 | 8–2 | New York Islanders (1988–89) | 32–33–5 |
| 71 | L | March 16, 1989 | 1–6 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 32–34–5 |
| 72 | L | March 18, 1989 | 2–8 | Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 32–35–5 |
| 73 | W | March 19, 1989 | 3–2 | @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 33–35–5 |
| 74 | W | March 22, 1989 | 4–2 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 34–35–5 |
| 75 | L | March 23, 1989 | 3–6 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 34–36–5 |
| 76 | W | March 25, 1989 | 4–0 | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 35–36–5 |
| 77 | L | March 28, 1989 | 2–4 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 35–37–5 |
| 78 | W | March 30, 1989 | 9–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 36–37–5 |
| 79 | W | April 1, 1989 | 6–1 | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 37–37–5 |
| 80 | L | April 2, 1989 | 2–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 37–38–5 |

## Division semi-finals
### Canadiens 4, Whalers 0
#### Adams Division Semi-finals
##### (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Hartford Whalers

* Montreal wins series 4 – 0

## Player statistics
### Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Kevin Dineen | 79 | 45 | 44 | 89 | 167 |
| Ron Francis | 69 | 29 | 48 | 77 | 36 |
| Ray Ferraro | 80 | 41 | 35 | 76 | 86 |
| Scott Young | 76 | 19 | 40 | 59 | 27 |
| Paul MacDermid | 74 | 17 | 27 | 44 | 141 |
| Dave Tippett | 80 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 45 |
| John Anderson | 62 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 28 |
| Jody Hull | 60 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 10 |
| Sylvain Turgeon | 42 | 16 | 14 | 30 | 40 |
| Dean Evason | 67 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 60 |
| Brian Lawton | 35 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 28 |
| Carey Wilson | 34 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 14 |
| Brent Peterson | 66 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 61 |
| Don Maloney | 21 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 23 |
| Tom Martin | 38 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 113 |
| Torrie Robertson | 27 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 84 |
| Ed Kastelic | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| Mark Reeds | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Dallas Gaume | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Terry Yake | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jim Thomson | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |

### Defensemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Dave Babych | 70 | 6 | 41 | 47 | 54 |
| Ulf Samuelsson | 71 | 9 | 26 | 35 | 181 |
| Norm Maciver | 37 | 1 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Sylvain Côté | 78 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 49 |
| Grant Jennings | 55 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 159 |
| Joel Quenneville | 69 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 32 |
| Randy Ladouceur | 75 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 95 |
| Brad Shaw | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Scot Kleinendorst | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 |
| Al Tuer | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Adam Burt | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Jim Pavese | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |

### Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against
| Player | GP | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
| Peter Sidorkiewicz | 44 | 22 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 3.03 |
| Mike Liut | 35 | 13 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 4.25 |
| Kay Whitmore | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.33 |

## Awards and records

* Peter Sidorkiewicz, Goaltender, NHL First All-Rookie Team

## Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1988–89 season.

### Trades

| July 6, 1988 | To Washington CapitalsNeil Sheehy Mike Millar | To Hartford WhalersGrant Jennings Ed Kastelic |
| October 6, 1988 | To Chicago BlackhawksFuture Considerations | To Hartford WhalersMark LaVarre |
| December 26, 1988 | To New York RangersCarey Wilson 5th round pick in 1990 – Lubos Rob | To Hartford WhalersBrian Lawton Don Maloney Norm Maciver |
| March 6, 1989 | To Washington CapitalsScot Kleinendorst | To Hartford WhalersJim Thomson |
| March 7, 1989 | To Detroit Red WingsTorrie Robertson | To Hartford WhalersJim Pavese |

### Waivers

| October 3, 1988 | To Minnesota North StarsStew Gavin |
| October 3, 1988 | To Minnesota North StarsTom Martin |
| December 1, 1988 | From Minnesota North StarsTom Martin |

### Free agents

| Player | Former Team |
| Mike Tomlak | University of Western Ontario (OUAA) |
| Ross McKay | University of Saskatchewan (CWUAA) |
| Bob Bodak | Calgary Flames |
| Al Tuer | Minnesota North Stars |
| Larry Trader | Montreal Canadiens |
| Chris Lindberg | University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) |
| Player | New Team |
| Gord Sherven | Sportbund DJK Rosenheim (Germany) |
| Mike McEwen | EHC Olten (Switzerland) |
| Shawn Cronin | Washington Capitals |