The 1988–89 Quebec Nordiques season saw the team finish in fifth place 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 ...

with a record of 27 wins, 46 losses, and 7 ties for 61 points.

Off-season

Quebec announced that interim head coach Ron Lapointe would come back on a permanent basis as head coach of the team. Lapointe had a 22-30-4 record with the Nordiques in 1987–88. At the

1988 NHL entry draft The 1988 NHL entry draft was the 26th NHL entry draft. It was held at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Teemu Selanne, who retired after the 2013–14 season. Selections by round Be ...

, Quebec had two picks in the first round, the third overall pick, and the fifth overall pick. The Nordiques selected Curtis Leschyshyn of the

Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Founded in 1964, the Blades were a charter team of the then-Western Canada Junior Hockey League in 1966, and are the only club that has played ev ...

with the third pick. He had 14 goals and 55 points, and would see regular playing time with Quebec in the upcoming season. With the fifth pick, the Nordiques selected Daniel Dore. Dore had 24 goals, 63 points and 223 penalty minutes with the

Drummondville Voltigeurs The Drummondville Voltigeurs are a Canadian junior ice hockey team of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The franchise was originally granted for the 1982–83 season, and is based in Drummondville, Quebec, playing its home game ...

in 1987–88. In the later rounds of the draft, Quebec selected Valeri Kamensky and

Alexei Gusarov Alexei Vasilievich Gusarov (; born July 8, 1964) is a Russian former ice hockey defenceman. He played for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. Gusarov and Valeri Kamensky were the first Russian-born play ...

CSKA Moscow CSKA Moscow () is a Russian sports club based in Moscow. It was created in 1911 in the Russian Empire on base of OLLS (Skiing Society, founded 1901). Later, during the Soviet Union, Soviet era, it was the central part of the Armed Forces (sports ...

. The Nordiques made some trades during the summer months, as they dealt away Mike Eagles to the

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

for Bob Mason. Mason appeared in 41 games with Chicago, going 13-18-8 with a 4.15 GAA in 1987–88. Quebec then traded away Terry Carkner to 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 ...

for Greg Smyth and the Flyers third round draft pick in the

1989 NHL entry draft The 1989 NHL entry draft was the 27th NHL entry draft. It was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft has been noted as exceptionally successful, with 5,955 total NHL games played by the p ...

. Smyth had a goal and seven points in 48 games with Philadelphia, as well as 192 penalty minutes. Quebec's biggest trade of the summer was trading away

Normand Rochefort Normand Rochefort (born January 28, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Biography Rochefort was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. As a youth, he played in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a mi ...

and

Jason Lafreniere Jason Lafrenière (born December 6, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 146 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques between 1986 and 1994 ...

to 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 ...

for Bruce Bell, Jari Gronstrand, Walt Poddubny, and the Rangers fourth round draft pick in the

. Bell played his rookie season with the Nordiques in 1984–85, however, he spent most of the 1987–88 season with the

Colorado Rangers The Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve (CLER), known publicly as the Colorado Rangers, is a statewide police agency in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is a statewide law enforcement reserve of sworn Peace Officer Standards and Traini ...

of the IHL, where he had 11 goals and 45 points in 65 games. In 13 games with New York, Bell had a goal and two assists. Poddubny was coming off of a 38-goal and 88 point season with the Rangers in 1987–88. Poddubny scored 40 goals and 87 points with New York in 1986–87. Gronstrand had three goals and 14 points on the Rangers blueline in 1987–88.

Regular season

The Nordiques began the season with three wins in their first four games, however, Quebec would slump, and fall to 6-12-2 after twenty games. The team made some trades in December, acquiring former team captain

Mario Marois Mario Marois (born December 15, 1957) is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman. Biography As a youth, Marois played in the 1968, 1969 and 1970 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from L'Ancienne-Lorett ...

from the

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 ...

, however, the club continued to lose, and had an 11-20-2 record after 33 games. The Nordiques then fired Lapointe as head coach, and replaced him with

Jean Perron Jean Perron (born October 5, 1946) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and sports commentator, best known for being the 16th head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, serving from 1985 to 1988. Perron has more recently served as the head coach for Israe ...

on an interim basis. Perron had coached 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 ...

to the 1986

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 ...

. Under Perron, the club continued to lose, as Quebec quickly fell out of the playoff race. The team finished the season with a 27-46-7 record, earning 61 points, which was 18 points behind the

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 ...

for the final playoff spot in the

, and tied 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 ...

with the lowest point total in the league, On the basis of the Islanders winning more games (28–27), the Nords claimed last place in the overall standings. Captain Peter Stastny led the club with 85 points, as he scored 35 goals and 50 assists in 72 games. Walt Poddubny scored a team high 38 goals in his first season with the Nordiques, as he also had 37 assists for 75 points.

Michel Goulet Michel Bernard Goulet (born April 21, 1960) is a Canadian former professional forward (ice hockey), ice hockey forward who played for the Birmingham Bulls (WHA), Birmingham Bulls in the World Hockey Association and the Quebec Nordiques and Chicag ...

saw his numbers drop to 26 goals and 64 points, his lowest totals since his rookie season in 1979–80. Rookie

Joe Sakic Joseph Steven Sakic (; () born July 7, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played his entire 21-year National Hockey League (NHL) career, which lasted from 1988 to 2009, with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado ...

had 23 goals and 62 points. Jeff Brown had another solid season on the Nordiques blueline, scoring 21 goals and 68 points, good for third on team scoring. Brown had 13 powerplay goals, tied with Peter Stastny for second on the team, one behind team leader Walt Poddubny. In goal, Mario Gosselin saw the majority of action, appearing in 39 games, earning 11 wins and a 4.24 GAA. Bob Mason had a tough season, earning only five wins in 22 games with a 4.73 GAA, while

Ron Tugnutt Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt (born October 22, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Tugnutt played several seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, Mighty Ducks of Anah ...

had a 10-10-3 record in 26 games, with a team best 3.60 GAA and a.893 save percentage.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , W, , October 6, 1988, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 1–0–0 , - , 2, , L, , October 8, 1988, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1988–89) , , 1–1–0 , - , 3, , W, , October 9, 1988, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 2–1–0 , - , 4, , W, , October 12, 1988, , 6–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 3–1–0 , - , 5, , L, , October 14, 1988, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 3–2–0 , - , 6, , W, , October 16, 1988, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 4–2–0 , - , 7, , L, , October 20, 1988, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 4–3–0 , - , 8, , L, , October 22, 1988, , 3–7 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 4–4–0 , - , 9, , L, , October 23, 1988, , 2–8 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 4–5–0 , - , 10, , L, , October 25, 1988, , 4–7 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 4–6–0 , - , 11, , L, , October 27, 1988, , 2–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 4–7–0 , - , 12, , W, , October 29, 1988, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 5–7–0 , - , - , 13, , L, , November 1, 1988, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

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. ...

( 1988–89) , , 5–8–0 , - , 14, , W, , November 3, 1988, , 6–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 6–8–0 , - , 15, , L, , November 5, 1988, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 6–9–0 , - , 16, , L, , November 8, 1988, , 4–8 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 6–10–0 , - , 17, , L, , November 10, 1988, , 1–4 , , style="text-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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 6–11–0 , - , 18, , L, , November 12, 1988, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 6–12–0 , - , 19, , T, , November 13, 1988, , 5–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 6–12–1 , - , 20, , T, , November 15, 1988, , 5–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 6–12–2 , - , 21, , W, , November 19, 1988, , 6–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 7–12–2 , - , 22, , L, , November 23, 1988, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 7–13–2 , - , 23, , W, , November 24, 1988, , 5–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 8–13–2 , - , 24, , L, , November 26, 1988, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 8–14–2 , - , 25, , L, , November 28, 1988, , 4–7 , , style="text-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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 8–15–2 , - , 26, , L, , November 30, 1988, , 2–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 8–16–2 , - , - , 27, , L, , December 1, 1988, , 3–7 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 8–17–2 , - , 28, , W, , December 3, 1988, , 6–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 9–17–2 , - , 29, , L, , December 6, 1988, , 2–3 , , style="text-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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 9–18–2 , - , 30, , L, , December 7, 1988, , 3–8 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 9–19–2 , - , 31, , W, , December 9, 1988, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 10–19–2 , - , 32, , L, , December 13, 1988, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 10–20–2 , - , 33, , W, , December 15, 1988, , 6–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 11–20–2 , - , 34, , T, , December 17, 1988, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 11–20–3 , - , 35, , W, , December 18, 1988, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 12–20–3 , - , 36, , L, , December 21, 1988, , 4–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 12–21–3 , - , 37, , W, , December 23, 1988, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 13–21–3 , - , 38, , T, , December 28, 1988, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 13–21–4 , - , 39, , L, , December 29, 1988, , 5–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

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 ...

( 1988–89) , , 13–22–4 , - , 40, , L, , December 31, 1988, , 1–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 13–23–4 , - , - , 41, , L, , January 3, 1989, , 1–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 13–24–4 , - , 42, , L, , January 4, 1989, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 13–25–4 , - , 43, , L, , January 8, 1989, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 13–26–4 , - , 44, , T, , January 10, 1989, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 13–26–5 , - , 45, , L, , January 12, 1989, , 2–7 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 13–27–5 , - , 46, , T, , January 14, 1989, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 13–27–6 , - , 47, , W, , January 17, 1989, , 7–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 14–27–6 , - , 48, , W, , January 19, 1989, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 15–27–6 , - , 49, , W, , January 21, 1989, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 16–27–6 , - , 50, , L, , January 23, 1989, , 0–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 16–28–6 , - , 51, , L, , January 26, 1989, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 16–29–6 , - , 52, , W, , January 28, 1989, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 17–29–6 , - , 53, , W, , January 30, 1989, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 18–29–6 , - , - , 54, , L, , February 2, 1989, , 1–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 18–30–6 , - , 55, , W, , February 4, 1989, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 19–30–6 , - , 56, , L, , February 5, 1989, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 19–31–6 , - , 57, , L, , February 9, 1989, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 19–32–6 , - , 58, , W, , February 11, 1989, , 8–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 20–32–6 , - , 59, , W, , February 13, 1989, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 21–32–6 , - , 60, , L, , February 16, 1989, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 21–33–6 , - , 61, , L, , February 18, 1989, , 3–11 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 21–34–6 , - , 62, , W, , February 21, 1989, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 22–34–6 , - , 63, , L, , February 23, 1989, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 22–35–6 , - , 64, , L, , February 25, 1989, , 2–7 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 22–36–6 , - , 65, , L, , February 28, 1989, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 22–37–6 , - , - , 66, , L, , March 2, 1989, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 22–38–6 , - , 67, , W, , March 4, 1989, , 6–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 23–38–6 , - , 68, , W, , March 5, 1989, , 8–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 24–38–6 , - , 69, , L, , March 7, 1989, , 4–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 24–39–6 , - , 70, , L, , March 9, 1989, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 24–40–6 , - , 71, , L, , March 14, 1989, , 0–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 24–41–6 , - , 72, , T, , March 16, 1989, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 24–41–7 , - , 73, , W, , March 18, 1989, , 8–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 25–41–7 , - , 74, , L, , March 22, 1989, , 0–8 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 25–42–7 , - , 75, , W, , March 23, 1989, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 26–42–7 , - , 76, , W, , March 25, 1989, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 27–42–7 , - , 77, , L, , March 29, 1989, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 27–43–7 , - , 78, , L, , March 30, 1989, , 3–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 27–44–7 , - , - , 79, , L, , April 1, 1989, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1988–89) , , 27–45–7 , - , 80, , L, , April 2, 1989, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1988–89) , , 27–46–7 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltending

1988–89 Quebec Nordiques at Hockey Reference
/ref>

Transactions

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

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

Draft picks

Quebec's draft picks from the

, which was 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 ...

Farm teams

Fredericton Express The Fredericton Express were a professional ice hockey team based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. They played in the American Hockey League between 1981 and 1988. The Express were affiliated with the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks of ...

— AHL

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Quebec Nordiques season Quebec Nordiques season, 1988-89 Quebec Nordiques seasons Que 1980s in Quebec City 1988 in sports in Quebec 1989 in sports in Quebec