# 1987–88 Hartford Whalers season

The 1987–88 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' ninth season in the National Hockey League.

## Offseason

On June 13, 1987, the 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. With their first round draft pick, the Whalers selected Jody Hull from the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League. During the 1986–87 season with the Petes, Hull scored 18 goals and 52 points in 49 games. With their second round selection, the Whalers selected defenceman Adam Burt from the North Bay Centennials of the OHL, while in the fourth round, the club selected center Terry Yake from the Brandon Wheat Kings from the Western Hockey League.
On July 29, the Whalers signed free agent Tom Martin. In 11 games with the Winnipeg Jets during the 1986–87 season, Martin scored one goal. He also played in 18 games with the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League, scoring five goals and 11 points.
The Whalers and Toronto Maple Leafs made a trade on September 8, with Hartford acquiring Bill Root from Toronto for Dave Semenko. Root scored three goals and six points in 34 games with the Maple Leafs during the 1986–87 season.
On September 15, Hartford signed free agent Roger Kortko to a contract. Kortko was a member of the New York Islanders organization, and scored 16 goals and 46 points with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Indians, during the 1986–87 season.
Wayne Babych announced his retirement from hockey on September 29. Babych appeared in four games with Hartford during the 1986–87 season, earning no points. He played a majority of the season with the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League, scoring nine goals and 42 points in 78 games. During his NHL career, which began with the St. Louis Blues in 1978–79, Babych scored 192 goals and 438 points in 519 games while playing for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Quebec Nordiques, and the Whalers.
On October 5, the Whalers acquired Mark Reeds from the St. Louis Blues in a trade in which Hartford sent St. Louis their third round draft selection in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Reeds scored nine goals and 25 points in 68 games with the Blues in the 1986–87 season.
During the waiver draft, which was held on October 5, the Whalers claimed Brent Peterson from the Vancouver Canucks and Doug Wickenheiser from the St. Louis Blues. Hartford lost newly signed free agent Bill Root in the waiver draft to the St. Louis Blues, while Wickenheiser was then claimed by the Vancouver Canucks. Peterson, who remained with the Whalers, scored seven goals and 22 points in 69 games with the Canucks during the 1986–87 season.

### Draft picks

Hartford's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 18 | Jody Hull | Canada | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 2 | 39 | Adam Burt | United States | North Bay Centennials (OHL) |
| 4 | 81 | Terry Yake | Canada | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 5 | 102 | Mark Rousseau | Canada | University of Denver (WCHA) |
| 6 | 132 | Jeff St. Cyr | Canada | Michigan Technological University (WCHA) |
| 7 | 144 | Gregg Wolf | United States | Buffalo Regals (EEMHL) |
| 8 | 165 | John Moore | Canada | Yale University (ECAC) |
| 9 | 186 | Joe Day | United States | St. Lawrence University (ECAC) |
| 11 | 228 | Kevin Sullivan | United States | Princeton University (ECAC) |
| 12 | 249 | Steve Laurin | Canada | Dartmouth College (ECAC) |
| S2 | 19 | Ken Lovsin | Canada | University of Saskatchewan (CIAU) |

## Regular season

The Whalers had the league's best penalty-kill percentage, with 84.27% (359 for 426).

### Final standings

Adams Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 45 | 22 | 13 | 298 | 238 | 103 |
| Boston Bruins | 80 | 44 | 30 | 6 | 300 | 251 | 94 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 80 | 37 | 32 | 11 | 283 | 305 | 85 |
| Hartford Whalers | 80 | 35 | 38 | 7 | 249 | 267 | 77 |
| Quebec Nordiques | 80 | 32 | 43 | 5 | 271 | 306 | 69 |
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

Adams Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
HFD
MTL
QUE
Total
Boston
—4–3–14–3–13–4–15–316–13–3
Buffalo
3–4–1—3–4–13–3–25–2–114–13–5
Hartford
3–4–14–3–1—2–4–22–611–17–4
Montreal
4–3–13–3–24–2−2—6–217–10–5
Quebec
3–52–5–16–22–6—13–18–1
Vs. Patrick Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
NJD
NYI
NYR
PHI
PIT
WSH
Total
Boston
2–11–21–21–22–0–11–28–9–1
Buffalo
2–0–11–23–00–30–2–12–0–18–7–3
Hartford
1–1–11–21–21–21–21–26–11–1
Montreal
1–23–01–1–11–0–21–21–1–18–6–4
Quebec
3–01–21–20–2–10–31–26–11–1
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Norris Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
CHI
DET
MIN
STL
TOR
Total
Boston
3–01–23–01–22–110–5–0
Buffalo
2–11–21–1–13–03–010–4–1
Hartford
2–12–13–01–23–011–4–0
Montreal
2–0–12–11–1–12–13–010–3–2
Quebec
2–0–13–02–11–23–011–3–1
Vs. Smythe Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
CGY
EDM
LAK
VAN
WIN
Total
Boston
2–11–1–12–0–12–13–010–3–2
Buffalo
1–20–32–11–1–11–1–15–8–2
Hartford
0–31–23–01–0–22–17–6–2
Montreal
0–2–13–02–12–0–13–010–3–2
Quebec
0–31–1–11–20–30–2–12–11–2 :

## Schedule and results

1987–88 regular season :
October
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
1LOctober 8, 19871–5Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)0–1–0
2LOctober 10, 19872–6New York Rangers (1987–88)0–2–0
3LOctober 11, 19872–5@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)0–3–0
4LOctober 14, 19871–3@ New Jersey Devils (1987–88)0–4–0
5LOctober 16, 19872–6@ Washington Capitals (1987–88)0–5–0
6WOctober 17, 19874–3 OTNew Jersey Devils (1987–88)1–5–0
7WOctober 21, 19875–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)2–5–0
8WOctober 24, 19875–3Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)3–5–0
9TOctober 28, 19872–2 OTBuffalo Sabres (1987–88)3–5–1
10WOctober 31, 19877–4Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)4–5–1 :
November
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
11WNovember 1, 19875–1@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)5–5–1
12TNovember 4, 19872–2 OTBoston Bruins (1987–88)5–5–2
13LNovember 6, 19871–3@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)5–6–2
14LNovember 7, 19873–5Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)5–7–2
15TNovember 11, 19870–0 OTMontreal Canadiens (1987–88)5–7–3
16LNovember 14, 19871–4@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)5–8–3
17TNovember 16, 19873–3 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)5–8–4
18WNovember 18, 19879–1Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)6–8–4
19LNovember 21, 19873–4Washington Capitals (1987–88)6–9–4
20LNovember 25, 19875–6Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)6–10–4
21WNovember 27, 19874–2@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)7–10–4
22WNovember 28, 19874–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)8–10–4 :
December
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
23LDecember 2, 19873–5Boston Bruins (1987–88)8–11–4
24LDecember 3, 19872–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)8–12–4
25WDecember 5, 19872–1Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)9–12–4
26WDecember 8, 19875–4@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)10–12–4
27WDecember 9, 19875–4Washington Capitals (1987–88)11–12–4
28WDecember 12, 19873–2Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)12–12–4
29TDecember 15, 19872–2 OTVancouver Canucks (1987–88)12–12–5
30LDecember 17, 19870–2St. Louis Blues (1987–88)12–13–5
31WDecember 19, 19874–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)13–13–5
32TDecember 20, 19873–3 OT@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)13–13–6
33LDecember 22, 19875–6 OT@ Calgary Flames (1987–88)13–14–6
34LDecember 26, 19872–4Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)13–15–6
35LDecember 27, 19873–5@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)13–16–6
36WDecember 30, 19873–1Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)14–16–6 :
January
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
37TJanuary 2, 19881–1 OTNew Jersey Devils (1987–88)14–16–7
38LJanuary 6, 19881–5Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)14–17–7
39LJanuary 8, 19881–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)14–18–7
40WJanuary 9, 19885–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)15–18–7
41WJanuary 11, 19884–3@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)16–18–7
42LJanuary 13, 19881–2@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)16–19–7
43LJanuary 14, 19882–3@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88)16–20–7
44WJanuary 16, 19884–3@ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)17–20–7
45WJanuary 19, 19886–3@ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)18–20–7
46WJanuary 21, 19884–3New York Islanders (1987–88)19–20–7
47WJanuary 23, 19885–0Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)20–20–7
48WJanuary 24, 19882–1 OTDetroit Red Wings (1987–88)21–20–7
49LJanuary 27, 19881–5@ Calgary Flames (1987–88)21–21–7
50WJanuary 29, 19884–2@ Vancouver Canucks (1987–88)22–21–7
51LJanuary 30, 19882–5@ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88)22–22–7 :
February
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
52LFebruary 1, 19884–5@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)22–23–7
53LFebruary 3, 19882–5Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)22–24–7
54LFebruary 6, 19884–5@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)22–25–7
55WFebruary 7, 19884–2Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)23–25–7
56WFebruary 13, 19884–1@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)24–25–7
57LFebruary 15, 19884–5 OT@ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88)24–26–7
58WFebruary 17, 19884–3Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)25–26–7
59LFebruary 20, 19880–3@ New York Islanders (1987–88)25–27–7
60LFebruary 21, 19882–7New York Islanders (1987–88)25–28–7
61WFebruary 23, 19883–2Boston Bruins (1987–88)26–28–7
62LFebruary 25, 19882–5@ Boston Bruins (1987–88)26–29–7
63LFebruary 27, 19883–4Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)26–30–7 :
March
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
64LMarch 1, 19883–6@ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)26–31–7
65WMarch 2, 19882–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88)27–31–7
66WMarch 5, 19883–1New York Rangers (1987–88)28–31–7
67LMarch 8, 19884–6@ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)28–32–7
68WMarch 9, 19885–4Los Angeles Kings (1987–88)29–32–7
69LMarch 12, 19880–5@ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)29–33–7
70LMarch 13, 19881–4Quebec Nordiques (1987–88)29–34–7
71LMarch 15, 19886–8Calgary Flames (1987–88)29–35–7
72WMarch 19, 19885–3@ St. Louis Blues (1987–88)30–35–7
73LMarch 20, 19881–2@ New York Rangers (1987–88)30–36–7
74WMarch 22, 19884–3Winnipeg Jets (1987–88)31–36–7
75WMarch 24, 19883–2@ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88)32–36–7
76WMarch 26, 19888–1Minnesota North Stars (1987–88)33–36–7
77WMarch 27, 19884–2Montreal Canadiens (1987–88)34–36–7
78LMarch 31, 19882–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88)34–37–7 :
April
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecord
79WApril 2, 19884–2Boston Bruins (1987–88)35–37–7
80LApril 3, 19882–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88)35–38–7 :
Legend:
  Win (2 points)
  Loss (0 points)
  Tie (1 point) :

## Playoffs
### Canadiens 4, Whalers 2

The Whalers opened the 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-seven series. Montreal finished the regular season with a 45–22–13 record, earning 103 points, which placed them first in the Adams Division. The Canadiens finished with 26 more points than Hartford during the regular season. Previously, the Whalers and Canadiens met twice in the post-season, with Montreal winning both series. Their most recent match-up was during the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, as Montreal defeated Hartford with an overtime goal in game seven of the Adams Division final. The Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.
The series opened on April 6 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal. Mike Liut got the start in goal for Hartford, while Patrick Roy started for Montreal. The Whalers scored the lone goal in the first period, as Randy Ladouceur scored 7:59 into the period, giving Hartford a 1–0 lead. In the second period, the Canadiens evened the game on a goal by Shayne Corson 2:54 into the period, followed by a goal by Bobby Smith less than two minutes later, giving the Canadiens a 2–1 after the second period. In the third period, the Whalers Richard Brodeur came into the game to play in goal, as Mike Liut was forced out of the game due to an injury. Despite the injury to their starting goaltender, the Whalers scored a quick goal, as Dave Babych scored 56 seconds into the period to tie the game 2-2. The Whalers took a 3–2 lead as Ron Francis scored a power play marker at 3:10. Montreal stormed back, as Chris Chelios scored on a Canadiens power play, evening the game at 3-3. The Canadiens regained the lead on a goal by Stéphane Richer midway through the period. Montreal held on for the 4–3 victory, taking a 1–0 series lead.
Game two was played the next night in Montreal, as Richard Brodeur would get the start in goal for the Whalers due to an injury to Mike Liut. Patrick Roy was once again in goal for the Canadiens for the second game. The Canadiens took a 1–0 lead on a goal by Brian Skrudland 5:30 into the first period. The Whalers tied the game midway through the period on a goal by Lindsay Carson. At 13:37, a goal by Chris Chelios gave Montreal the lead back at 2–1. Less than a minute later, Kevin Dineen tied the game for Hartford, as the game was tied 2–2 after the first period. The Canadiens retook the lead, as Gilles Thibaudeau scored 2:39 into the period, followed by a goal by Claude Lemieux at 10:59, as Montreal took a 4–2 lead. The Whalers Scot Kleinendorst cut the Canadiens lead to 4–3 with a goal at 12:52, as the Canadiens held the one goal lead after two periods. In the third period, Montreal scored three goals in a 2:38 span midway through the period, as Bobby Smith, Gilles Thibaudeau and Kjell Dahlin each scored, securing a 7–2 win for the Canadiens and a 2–0 series lead.
The series moved to the Hartford Civic Center for the third game on April 9, as Mike Liut returned in goal for the Whalers, while Patrick Roy made his third straight start for Montreal. The Whalers Stew Gavin scored an early goal, only 2:06 into the game, to give Hartford a 1–0 lead. The Canadiens tied the game midway through the period with a power play goal by Stephane Richer, as the score was 1–1 after the first period. The Whalers took a 2–1 lead with a power play goal by Sylvain Côté at the 6:31 mark of the second period. The Canadiens responded with three goals of their own before the period ended, as Craig Ludwig, Mike McPhee and Ryan Walter each scored, giving Montreal a 4–2 lead. In the third period, the Whalers Carey Wilson scored a power play goal 6:34 into the period, cutting the Canadiens lead to 4–3. Hartford couldn't manage to score another goal, as the Canadiens held on for the 4–3 victory, and took a commanding 3–0 series lead.
The fourth game was played the following evening, with both Mike Liut and Patrick Roy getting the starts once again in goal, as the Whalers faced elimination. The Canadiens took a 1–0 lead after Stephane Richer scored a goal at 3:22 into the first period. The Whalers quickly responded with a goal of their own, as Dean Evason scored 55 seconds later. At 8:29 of the first period, Dave Babych gave Hartford a 2–1 lead, which the Whalers took with them into the first intermission. In the second period, Stephane Richer scored his second goal of the game, which was the lone goal of the period, tying the game 2–2 after two periods. Only 59 seconds into the third period, the Whalers Dave Babych broke the tie, giving the Whalers a 3–2 lead. At 3:19, the Whalers Sylvain Côté took a four-minute high-sticking penalty, sending Montreal to the power play. The Canadiens scored twice on this power play, as Bobby Smith and Ryan Walter each scored, giving Montreal a 4–3 lead. At 11:20, the Whalers tied the game once again, as Kevin Dineen put the puck past Patrick Roy, tying the game 4-4. This was the start of a goal scoring outburst for Hartford, as Stew Gavin gave the Whalers a 5–4 lead with a goal 14:23. Kevin Dineen then scored a power play goal at 17:05, followed by a goal by Scott Young, his first career playoff goal, extending the Whalers lead to 7–4. Montreal's Gilles Thibaudeau scored a power play goal with 30 seconds left in the game, as Hartford staved off elimination with a 7–5 victory, cutting the Canadiens series lead to 3–1.
The series returned to Montreal for the fifth game on April 12, as Hartford once again was facing elimination. Richard Brodeur replaced Mike Liut in the Whalers goal, as he re-aggravated his injury. The Canadiens Brian Hayward got his first start of the series. Hartford scored the only goal of the first period, as Kevin Dineen scored midway through the period, taking a 1–0 lead into the first intermission. The Whalers Carey Wilson extended the lead to 2–0 with a goal at 5:40 of the second period. Montreal's Mike McPhee scored 31 seconds later, as Hartford held on to a 2–1 lead after two periods. In the third period, the game remained close, however, the Whalers Ron Francis scored an empty net goal with 16 seconds left in the period, securing the victory for the Whalers. This would be the last career post-season win for Richard Brodeur, who made 22 saves for the Whalers, as the Canadiens series lead was trimmed to 3–2.
Game six was back in Hartford on April 14, as both Richard Brodeur of the Whalers and Brian Hayward of the Canadiens got their second consecutive start. In the first period, the Canadiens Stephane Richer scored twice, as Montreal took a 2–0 lead after twenty minutes. In the second period, the Whalers Ray Ferraro scored a late period power play goal, cutting the Canadiens lead to 2–1. Both goaltenders continued to be sharp in the third period, as Hartford was unable to tie the game. The Canadiens won the game 2-1 and won the series 4–2, eliminating the Whalers from the post-season.

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

* Montreal wins series 4 – 2

## Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1987–88 season.

### Trades

| September 8, 1987 | To Toronto Maple LeafsDave Semenko | To Hartford WhalersBill Root |
| October 5, 1987 | To St. Louis Blues3rd round in 1989 – Blair Atcheynum | To Hartford WhalersMark Reeds |
| October 15, 1987 | To Los Angeles KingsCash | To Hartford WhalersTiger Williams |
| January 3, 1988 | To Calgary FlamesShane Churla Dana Murzyn | To Hartford WhalersNeil Sheehy Carey Wilson Lane MacDonald |
| January 22, 1988 | To Philadelphia FlyersPaul Lawless | To Hartford WhalersLindsay Carson |
| March 8, 1988 | To St. Louis Blues2nd round pick in 1989 – Rick Corriveau | To Hartford WhalersCharlie Bourgeois 3rd round pick in 1989 – Blair Atcheynum |
| March 8, 1988 | To Vancouver CanucksSteve Weeks | To Hartford WhalersRichard Brodeur |

### Waivers

| October 5, 1987 | From Vancouver CanucksBrent Peterson |
| October 5, 1987 | From St. Louis BluesDoug Wickenheiser |
| October 5, 1987 | To St. Louis BluesBill Root |
| October 5, 1987 | To Vancouver CanucksDoug Wickenheiser |

### Free agents

| Player | Former Team |
| Tom Martin | Winnipeg Jets |
| Roger Kortko | New York Islanders |
| Mike McEwen | HC Sierre (Switzerland) |
| Player | New Team |
| Mike McEwen | HC Sierre (Switzerland) |