The 1981–82

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

season was the Whalers'

third Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', i.e., the third in a series of fractional parts in a sexagesimal number system Places * 3rd Street (di ...

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

. The Whalers failed to qualify for the post-season for the second consecutive season. Hartford finished the regular season with a 21–41–18 record, earning 60 points, which was 22 points behind the

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

for the fourth and final playoff spot in the

Adams Division The National Hockey League's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is th ...

Offseason

The NHL realigned into what were for all intents and purposes entirely new divisions that, while retaining all of the names that had been used since 1974, were closely based on North American geography. This ended the Whalers' two-year stay in the

Norris Division The National Hockey League's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. When the NHL realigned into geographic divisions in 1981, the division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference, where it comprised the ...

, as along with the

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

they moved from the Norris to the

where they were joined by their closest geographical rival

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

in addition to the

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

and

. At the 1981 NHL entry draft held at the

Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

on June 10, the Whalers selected center

Ron Francis Ronald Michael Francis Jr. (born March 1, 1963) is a Canadian ice hockey sports executive and former player. He currently serves as the president of hockey operations for the Seattle Kraken. He spent most of his career as either a player or ex ...

of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the

Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; ) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League, alongside the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The league is for players ag ...

with their first round, fourth overall selection. In 64 games with the Greyhounds in 1980–81, Francis scored 26 goals and 69 points. On June 15, the Whalers signed restricted free agent goaltender

Greg Millen Gregory H. Millen (June 25, 1957 – April 7, 2025) was a Canadian hockey commentator-analyst and professional ice hockey goaltender who played 14 seasons for six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). During his career as a colour comment ...

from the

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

. Hartford sent forwards Pat Boutette and Kevin McClelland to the Penguins as compensation. In 63 games with the Penguins in 1980–81, Millen earned a record of 25–27–10 with a 4.17 GAA and a save percentage of .864. A couple of weeks later, on July 3, the Whalers were involved in a blockbuster trade with the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

. Hartford sent defenseman

Fred Arthur Frederick Edward Arthur (born March 9, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and medical doctor who played three seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Hartford Whalers and Philadelphia Flyers. He won 2 Memor ...

, right winger

Ray Allison Raymond Peter Allison (born March 4, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers and Philadelphia Flyers. He featured in the 1985 Stanley Cup Finals wit ...

, a first round and a third round draft pick from the 1982 NHL entry draft to Philadelphia for center

Rick MacLeish Richard George MacLeish (January 3, 1950 – May 30, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit ...

, defenseman Blake Wesley, right winger Don Gillen, and the Flyers first round, second round and third round draft picks in the 1982 NHL entry draft. MacLeish was coming off a season in which he scored 38 goals and 74 points in 78 games with the Flyers in 1980–81. He won two Stanley Cup championships with Philadelphia in 1974 and 1975, in which in both seasons he led the NHL in playoff scoring. Wesley split the 1980–81 season between the Flyers and their

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...

affiliate, the Maine Mariners. In 50 games with Philadelphia, Wesley scored three goals and 10 points, while in 24 games with Maine, Wesley scored six goals and 16 points, followed by a goal and nine points in nine post-season games with the Mariners. Gillen spent the entire 1980–81 season with Maine, scoring 30 goals, 59 points and 255 penalty minutes in 79 games, before adding four goals and eight points in 20 playoff games. On October 2, the Whalers were involved in two trades. In the first trade, Hartford acquired right winger Doug Sulliman, defenseman Chris Kotsopoulos and defenseman Gerry McDonald from the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

in exchange for center Mike Rogers and a tenth round selection in the 1982 NHL entry draft. In 32 games with New York, Sulliman scored four goals and five points before scoring a goal in three playoff games with the Rangers. He also played in 45 games with the

New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the New York Islanders (1972–1973), Minnesota North Stars (1972–1977), New York Rangers (19 ...

of the AHL, where he scored 10 goals and 26 points. As a rookie in 1980–81, Kotsopoulos appeared in 52 games with the Rangers, scoring four goals, 16 points and accumulating 153 penalty minutes. In 14 post-season games, Kotsopoulos earned three assists while racking up 63 penalty minutes. McDonald appeared in 70 games with the Nighthawks in 1980–81, scoring six goals and 29 points. In four playoff games, McDonald was held off the scoresheet. The second trade the Whalers were involved in on October 2 was with the

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

. Hartford traded a fifth round draft pick from the

1983 NHL entry draft The 1983 NHL entry draft was the 21st NHL entry draft. It was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, on June 8, 1983. The NHL entry draft is the primary means by which players arrive in the National Hockey League. The St. Louis Blues ...

to the Islanders for left winger

Garry Howatt Garry Robert Charles Howatt (born September 26, 1952) is a Canadian former ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, and New Jersey Devils between 1972 and 1984. With the Islanders ...

. Howatt scored four goals and 19 points in 70 games with New York in 1980–81. He earned two assists in eight playoff games. Howatt was a two time

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

champion with the Islanders, winning in both 1980 and 1981. During the waiver draft on October 5, the Whalers acquired right winger Mike McDougal from the

and center Rob McClanahan from the

. McDougal scored 21 goals and 44 points in 66 games with the

of the AHL during the 1980–81 season, however, he was held to no points in four playoff games. McDougal also played in two games with the Rangers, earning no points. McClanahan scored three goals and 15 points in 57 games with the Sabres during the 1980–81 season before earning an assist in five playoff games. McClanahan also played in 18 games with the

Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans (colloquially known as the Amerks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Rochester, New York. They are the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home g ...

of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 22 points. In the same draft, the Whalers lost defenseman Al Sims to the

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

and left winger Jeff Brubaker to the

Regular season

October

The Whalers opened the 1981–82 season on the road against the

in front of a sold-out crowd at

Le Colisée Le Colisée is an indoor arena in Chalon-sur-Saône, France. It is primarily used for basketball games, and it is the home arena of the LNB Pro A, French Pro A League club Élan Chalon. The arena seats 5,000 people. History The hall was inaugu ...

on October 6, losing a close one to the Nordiques, by a 6–5 score. Two nights later, Hartford earned their first point of the season, as the Whalers and

skated to a 5–5 tie. Hartford had their home opener on October 10 against their new divisional rivals, the

, in front of 13,107 fans at the Civic Center. The Whalers and Bruins fought to a 1–1 tie, as Hartford goaltender

led the way with 23 saves, while Blaine Stoughton scored the only goal for the team. After going winless in their first four games of the season (0–2–2), the Whalers finally earned their first victory, as Rick Meagher recorded a hat trick, as Hartford crushed the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

by an 8–1 score. The victory over Detroit would be the Whalers only win of the month, as Hartford finished October with a five-game winless streak (0–2–3), finishing October with a 1–4–5 record, earning seven points, and sat in last place in the

, six points behind the

for fourth place.

November

Hartford opened November with a pair of 4–1 losses to the

and

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

to fall to 1–6–5 on the season, before earning their second win of the year, a 4–2 decision against the

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

on November 9. The Whalers would follow the victory with a four-game winless skid (0–2–2), to fall to 2–8–7 on the season through their first 17 games of the year. Hartford would snap the winless streak with an 8–5 win over the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

. A highlight in the game was when

scored his first career goal. Wins would be scarce for the Whalers in November, as they would record only one more victory in November, and ended the month with a record of 3–7–3 in 13 games, and fall to 4–11–8 on the season, earning 16 points, in last place in the

, 14 points behind the

for the final playoff spot.

December

The Whalers opened December with their first road win of the season, defeating the

5–3 at

Maple Leaf Gardens Maple Leaf Gardens is a historic building located at the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church and Wellesley, Church Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The building was originally constructed in 1931 as an indoor arena to host ice hoc ...

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

on December 2. Overall, Hartford would win three of their first four games of the month, as they recorded wins against the

and the

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

. After their 3–1–0 start to the month, Hartford fell into a five-game winless streak (0–4–1), getting their only point in a 5–5 tie against the

, before earning a 3–2 victory over the

to snap their skid in their final game before Christmas. The team then went 2–2–0 in their final four games of December, to finish the month with a 6–7–1 record in 14 games, and post a 10–18–9 record on the season. The Whalers remained in last place in the

, 14 points behind the fourth place

January

Hartford got off to a terrible start in January, as the club dropped their first five games of the month, before finally earning a tie against the

on January 16, as Blaine Stoughton scored two goals in a 3–3 tie. Hartford then lost their next game by a 7–1 score against the

the next night to extend their winless skid to seven games. The team ended their winless skid with a solid 4–2 victory over the

on January 20. This marked the start of a six-game unbeaten streak (4–0–2) for the Whalers to end the month. Hartford managed to post a 4–6–3 record in 13 games in January, and an overall record of 14–24–12 on the season, earning 40 points. The Whalers were stuck in the

cellar, 18 points behind the fourth place

February

The Whalers continued to stay hot at the start of February, as Hartford went 2–0–2 on a four-game road trip, and extended their overall unbeaten streak to a team record 10 games (6–0–4). The unbeaten streak came to an end on February 13, as the

defeated Hartford by a 3–2 score. The loss to the Rangers began a string of losses for the Whalers, as the team went on a six-game losing streak, before snapping the skid with a 4–3 win over the

on February 24. Hartford then lost their last two games of the month, and eight of nine overall. The club went 3–8–2 in their 13 February games, slipping to a 17–32–14 record on the season, registering 48 points, and 23 points behind the

March/April

The team opened March with two ties against the

, followed by a two-game winning streak, defeating the

and

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

. The Whalers four-game unbeaten streak came to an end on March 13, as the

shutout Hartford 5–0. The club lost their second straight game the next night, 4–3 to the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

. The Whalers managed to snap their two-game losing streak, and won consecutive games, beating the

and

. Those wins were the Whalers last of the season, as the team finished the season with a nine-game winless streak (0–7–2). Hartford finished the year with a 21–41–18 record for the second straight season, earning 60 points, and were the last place team in the

, 22 points behind the

for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , L, , October 6, 1981, , 5–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 0–1–0 , , 15,007 , - , 2, , T, , October 8, 1981, , 5–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 0–1–1 , , 15,474 , - , 3, , T, , October 10, 1981, , 1–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 0–1–2 , , 13,107 , - , 4, , L, , October 15, 1981, , 2–7 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 0–2–2 , , 10,020 , - , 5, , W, , October 17, 1981, , 8–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 1–2–2 , , 10,656 , - , 6, , L, , October 21, 1981, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1981–82) , , 1–3–2 , , 17,490 , - , 7, , T, , October 23, 1981, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 1–3–3 , , 11,283 , - , 8, , L, , October 24, 1981, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1981–82) , , 1–4–3 , , 7,226 , - , 9, , T, , October 29, 1981, , 6–6 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 1–4–4 , , 11,395 , - , 10, , T, , October 31, 1981, , 2–2 , , align="left",

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

( 1981–82) , , 1–4–5 , , 8,990 , - , - , 11, , L, , November 1, 1981, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 1–5–5 , , 8,873 , - , 12, , L, , November 4, 1981, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 1–6–5 , , 9,411 , - , 13, , W, , November 7, 1981, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 2–6–5 , , 11,779 , - , 14, , T, , November 8, 1981, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 2–6–6 , , 15,116 , - , 15, , T, , November 11, 1981, , 4–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 2–6–7 , , 11,101 , - , 16, , L, , November 12, 1981, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 2–7–7 , , 17,077 , - , 17, , L, , November 14, 1981, , 0–4 , , align="left",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1981–82) , , 2–8–7 , , 11,278 , - , 18, , W, , November 18, 1981, , 8–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 3–8–7 , , 10,015 , - , 19, , L, , November 19, 1981, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 3–9–7 , , 8,197 , - , 20, , L, , November 21, 1981, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 3–10–7 , , 15,016 , - , 21, , T, , November 25, 1981, , 3–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 3–10–8 , , 12,141 , - , 22, , W, , November 28, 1981, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 4–10–8 , , 12,431 , - , 23, , L, , November 29, 1981, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 4–11–8 , , 15,188 , - , - , 24, , W, , December 2, 1981, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 5–11–8, , 16,192 , - , 25, , L, , December 4, 1981, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 5–12–8 , , 10,866 , - , 26, , W, , December 6, 1981, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 6–12–8 , , 17,427 , - , 27, , W, , December 9, 1981, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 7–12–8 , , 10,230 , - , 28, , L, , December 12, 1981, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 7–13–8 , , 13,376 , - , 29, , L, , December 13, 1981, , 3–8 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 7–14–8 , , 11,810 , - , 30, , L, , December 16, 1981, , 1–6 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 7–15–8 , , 11,556 , - , 31, , T, , December 19, 1981, , 5–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 7–15–9 , , 10,623 , - , 32, , L, , December 20, 1981, , 2–8 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 7–16–9 , , 15,056 , - , 33, , W, , December 22, 1981, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 8–16–9 , , 11,102 , - , 34, , L, , December 26, 1981, , 6–9 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 8–17–9 , , 14,510 , - , 35, , W, , December 27, 1981, , 7–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 9–17–9 , , 11,820 , - , 36, , L, , December 29, 1981, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 9–18–9 , , 17,625 , - , 37, , W, , December 30, 1981, , 6–1 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 10–18–9 , , 10,470 , - , - , 38, , L, , January 2, 1982, , 4–9 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 10–19–9 , , 11,699 , - , 39, , L, , January 3, 1982, , 4–6 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 10–20–9 , , 10,963 , - , 40, , L, , January 6, 1982, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 10–21–9 , , 12,097 , - , 41, , L, , January 9, 1982, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 10–22–9 , , 11,403 , - , 42, , L, , January 11, 1982, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 10–23–9 , , 15,216 , - , 43, , T, , January 16, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 10–23–10 , , 13,617 , - , 44, , L, , January 17, 1982, , 1–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 10–24–10 , , 9,474 , - , 45, , W, , January 20, 1982, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 11–24–10 , , 11,197 , - , 46, , T, , January 23, 1982, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 11–24–11 , , 11,218 , - , 47, , W, , January 25, 1982, , 6–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 12–24–11 , , 7,827 , - , 48, , W, , January 27, 1982, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 13–24–11 , , 11,851 , - , 49, , W, , January 30, 1982, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 14–24–11 , , 14,031 , - , 50, , T, , January 31, 1982, , 4–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 14–24–12 , , 11,769 , - , - , 51, , W, , February 2, 1982, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 15–24–12 , , 7,713 , - , 52, , T, , February 5, 1982, , 4–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 15–24–13 , , 6,109 , - , 53, , W, , February 6, 1982, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 16–24–13 , , 13,187 , - , 54, , T, , February 10, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 16–24–14 , , 8,691 , - , 55, , L, , February 13, 1982, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 16–25–14 , , 14,510 , - , 56, , L, , February 14, 1982, , 1–9 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 16–26–14 , , 13,605 , - , 57, , L, , February 16, 1982, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 16–27–14 , , 7,234 , - , 58, , L, , February 19, 1982, , 4–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 16–28–14 , , 17,490 , - , 59, , L, , February 20, 1982, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 16–29–14 , , 13,747 , - , 60, , L, , February 22, 1982, , 7–8 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 16–30–14 , , 13,854 , - , 61, , W, , February 24, 1982, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 17–30–14 , , 13,165 , - , 62, , L, , February 27, 1982, , 1–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 17–31–14 , , 16,652 , - , 63, , L, , February 28, 1982, , 0–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 17–32–14 , , 11,426 , - , - , 64, , T, , March 3, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 17–32–15 , , 16,012 , - , 65, , T, , March 6, 1982, , 2–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 17–32–16 , , 11,104 , - , 66, , W, , March 7, 1982, , 7–6 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 18–32–16 , , 11,616 , - , 67, , W, , March 10, 1982, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 19–32–16 , , 11,858 , - , 68, , L, , March 13, 1982, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 19–33–16 , , 16,650 , - , 69, , L, , March 14, 1982, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 19–34–16 , , 10,445 , - , 70, , W, , March 16, 1982, , 7–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 20–34–16 , , 15,285 , - , 71, , W, , March 18, 1982, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–34–16 , , 11,011 , - , 72, , L, , March 20, 1982, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–35–16 , , 12,210 , - , 73, , L, , March 21, 1982, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 21–36–16 , , 17,042 , - , 74, , T, , March 24, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–36–17 , , 10,509 , - , 75, , L, , March 27, 1982, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 21–37–17 , , 15,271 , - , 76, , L, , March 28, 1982, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–38–17 , , 11,141 , - , 77, , L, , March 30, 1982, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 21–39–17 , , 16,071 , - , 78, , L, , March 31, 1982, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–40–17 , , 12,378 , - , - , 79, , T, , April 3, 1982, , 3–3 , , align="left",

( 1981–82) , , 21–40–18 , , 14,510 , - , 80, , L, , April 4, 1982, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1981–82) , , 21–41–18 , , 10,374 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Awards and records

Transactions

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1981–82 season.

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

Draft picks

Hartford's draft picks from the 1981 NHL entry draft which was held at the

on June 10, 1981.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1981-82 Hartford Whalers season Hartford Whalers seasons

Hartford Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

1980s in Hartford, Connecticut