1990–91 Hartford Whalers season

At the 1990 NHL Supplemental Draft held on June 15, the Whalers selected Jim Crozier with the 19th selection. Crozier played the 1989–90 season with Cornell University. In 16 games with the Big Red, Crozier posted a 10-3-1 record with a 2.63 GAA.

On June 16, 1990, the Whalers participated at the 1990 NHL Entry Draft held at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. With the 15th overall selection, the club selected Mark Greig from the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League. In 65 games with the Hurricanes, Greig scored 55 goals and 135 points in 1989-90. In the second round of the draft, Hartford selected Geoff Sanderson from the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL with the 36th overall selection. Sanderson scored 32 goals and 94 points in 70 games with the Broncos during the 1989-90 season. Some other notable players selected by Hartford include Mike Lenarduzzi, Jergus Baca, and Espen Knutsen.

The Whalers and New York Rangers made a trade on July 7, as Hartford acquired Carey Wilson and a third round selection in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Jody Hull. In 41 games with the Rangers during the 1989-90 season, Wilson scored nine goals and 26 points. Wilson had previously played with the Whalers from 1987 to 1989, where in 70 games, he scored 29 goals and 60 points.

On July 16, the Whalers signed free agent John Stevens to a contract. Stevens spent the 1989-90 season with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, where he scored three goals, 13 points, and accumulated 193 penalty minutes in 79 games. Stevens had previous NHL experience, as he appeared in nine games with the Philadelphia Flyers from 1986 to 1988.

On September 30, the club signed free agent Paul Cyr from the New York Rangers. Cyr missed the entire 1989-90 due to injuries, and played in only one game during the 1988-89 season. In his last healthy season in 1987-88, split between the Buffalo Sabres and the Rangers, Cyr scored five goals and 19 points in 60 games. Also on this day, the Whalers acquired a sixth round draft pick at the 1992 NHL Entry Draft from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Dave Tippett.

Four days later, on October 3, the Whalers made a second trade with the Washington Capitals, as Hartford acquired cash considerations from Washington in exchange for Joel Quenneville.

The Whalers had the most power-play opportunities during the regular season, with 403.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1991.html|title=1990-91 NHL Summary}}

{{1990–91 NHL Adams Division standings|team=HAR}}

{{1990–91 NHL Wales Conference standings|team=HAR}}

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 5px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 5px solid;|title=1990–91 regular season{{cite web |title=1990-91 Hartford Whalers Schedule |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/HAR/1991_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=March 18, 2025}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid;|title=October|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|1||T||October 4, 1990||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||0–0–1

|- {{Game-won}}

|2||W||October 6, 1990||5–4 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Rangers (1990–91) ||1–0–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|3||L||October 8, 1990||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||1–1–1

|- {{Game-won}}

|4||W||October 10, 1990||4–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||2–1–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|5||L||October 12, 1990||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1990–91) ||2–2–1

|- {{Game-won}}

|6||W||October 13, 1990||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||3–2–1

|- {{Game-tied}}

|7||T||October 16, 1990||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||3–2–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|8||W||October 17, 1990||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1990–91) ||4–2–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|9||L||October 19, 1990||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1990–91) ||4–3–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|10||L||October 24, 1990||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1990–91) ||4–4–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|11||L||October 27, 1990||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Vancouver Canucks (1990–91) ||4–5–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|12||L||October 28, 1990||0–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||4–6–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|13||L||October 31, 1990||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||4–7–2

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid;|title=November|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|14||L||November 3, 1990||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| St. Louis Blues (1990–91) ||4–8–2

|- {{Game-tied}}

|15||T||November 6, 1990||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago Blackhawks (1990–91) ||4–8–3

|- {{Game-lost}}

|16||L||November 9, 1990||4–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1990–91) ||4–9–3

|- {{Game-won}}

|17||W||November 10, 1990||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1990–91) ||5–9–3

|- {{Game-won}}

|18||W||November 14, 1990||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||6–9–3

|- {{Game-won}}

|19||W||November 15, 1990||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (1990–91) ||7–9–3

|- {{Game-won}}

|20||W||November 17, 1990||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Washington Capitals (1990–91) ||8–9–3

|- {{Game-tied}}

|21||T||November 21, 1990||4–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||8–9–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|22||W||November 23, 1990||4–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||9–9–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|23||L||November 24, 1990||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||9–10–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|24||L||November 28, 1990||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||9–11–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|25||W||November 29, 1990||6–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1990–91) ||10–11–4

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid;|title=December|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|26||L||December 1, 1990||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (1990–91) ||10–12–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|27||W||December 3, 1990||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||11–12–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|28||L||December 5, 1990||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||11–13–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|29||W||December 7, 1990||4–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||12–13–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|30||W||December 8, 1990||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1990–91) ||13–13–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|31||L||December 12, 1990||1–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||13–14–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|32||L||December 13, 1990||2–8 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||13–15–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|33||W||December 15, 1990||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (1990–91) ||14–15–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|34||L||December 18, 1990||3–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||14–16–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|35||L||December 20, 1990||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (1990–91) ||14–17–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|36||W||December 22, 1990||1–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (1990–91) ||15–17–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|37||L||December 23, 1990||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota North Stars (1990–91) ||15–18–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|38||W||December 26, 1990||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||16–18–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|39||L||December 29, 1990||2–8 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Calgary Flames (1990–91) ||16–19–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|40||L||December 30, 1990||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1990–91) ||16–20–4

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid;|title=January|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|41||W||January 2, 1991||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Vancouver Canucks (1990–91) ||17–20–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|42||W||January 5, 1991||4–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Winnipeg Jets (1990–91) ||18–20–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|43||L||January 8, 1991||3–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1990–91) ||18–21–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|44||W||January 10, 1991||5–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1990–91) ||19–21–4

|- {{Game-tied}}

|45||T||January 12, 1991||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1990–91) ||19–21–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|46||L||January 13, 1991||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (1990–91) ||19–22–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|47||W||January 16, 1991||4–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles Kings (1990–91) ||20–22–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|48||W||January 23, 1991||5–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (1990–91) ||21–22–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|49||L||January 24, 1991||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||21–23–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|50||W||January 26, 1991||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (1990–91) ||22–23–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|51||L||January 29, 1991||1–8 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Islanders (1990–91) ||22–24–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|52||L||January 31, 1991||3–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ St. Louis Blues (1990–91) ||22–25–5

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid;|title=February|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|53||W||February 2, 1991||2–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1990–91) ||23–25–5

|- {{Game-tied}}

|54||T||February 3, 1991||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (1990–91) ||23–25–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|55||W||February 6, 1991||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (1990–91) ||24–25–6

|- {{Game-lost}}

|56||L||February 9, 1991||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (1990–91) ||24–26–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|57||W||February 10, 1991||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Chicago Blackhawks (1990–91) ||25–26–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|58||W||February 13, 1991||6–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Detroit Red Wings (1990–91) ||26–26–6

|- {{Game-lost}}

|59||L||February 15, 1991||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (1990–91) ||26–27–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|60||W||February 16, 1991||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||27–27–6

|- {{Game-won}}

|61||W||February 20, 1991||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||28–27–6

|- {{Game-lost}}

|62||L||February 23, 1991||4–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||28–28–6

|- {{Game-tied}}

|63||T||February 24, 1991||5–5 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||28–28–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|64||L||February 26, 1991||4–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1990–91) ||28–29–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|65||L||February 28, 1991||3–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1990–91) ||28–30–7

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009A44 2px solid; border-bottom:#005EB8 2px solid;|title=March|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|66||T||March 2, 1991||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||28–30–8

|- {{Game-tied}}

|67||T||March 3, 1991||4–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1990–91) ||28–30–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|68||L||March 5, 1991||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| St. Louis Blues (1990–91) ||28–31–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|69||L||March 9, 1991||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1990–91) ||28–32–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|70||L||March 10, 1991||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||28–33–9

|- {{Game-won}}

|71||W||March 12, 1991||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (1990–91) ||29–33–9

|- {{Game-won}}

|72||W||March 14, 1991||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Detroit Red Wings (1990–91) ||30–33–9

|- {{Game-won}}

|73||W||March 16, 1991||6–2 || style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey Devils (1990–91) ||31–33–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|74||L||March 17, 1991||1–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||31–34–9

|- {{Game-tied}}

|75||T||March 19, 1991||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||31–34–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|76||L||March 23, 1991||3–7 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1990–91) ||31–35–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|77||L||March 25, 1991||2–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1990–91) ||31–36–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|78||L||March 27, 1991||3–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (1990–91) ||31–37–10

|- {{Game-tied}}

|79||T||March 30, 1991||5–5 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Buffalo Sabres (1990–91) ||31–37–11

|- {{Game-lost}}

|80||L||March 31, 1991||3–7 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1990–91) ||31–38–11

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

{{NHLPlayoffs

|team1 = Boston Bruins

|team2 = Hartford Whalers

|stadium1 = Boston Garden

|stadium2 = Hartford Civic Center

|homeright = yes

|date1 = April 3

|score1 = 5 – 2

|recap1 = www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199104030BOS.html

|home1 = 1

|won1 = 2

|1-1-1 = 0:23 - Lazaro (1) - (Bourque, Poulin)

|1-1-2 = Verbeek (1) - pp - (Zalapski, Cullen) - 14:11

|1-2-1 = 14:45 - pp - Skriko (1) - (Bourque, Wesley)

|1-2-2 = Dineen (1) - (Evason, Ladouceur) - 2:18
Brown (1) - pp - (Verbeek, Cullen) - 9:37

|1-3-1 = No scoring

|1-3-2 = Cullen (1) - (Shaw) - 15:49
Cyr (1) - (Evason, Ladouceur) - 16:17

|goalie1-1 = Moog (0-1) (19 saves / 24 shots)

|goalie1-2 = Sidorkiewicz (1-0) (26 saves / 28 shots)

|date2 = April 5

|score2 = 3 – 4

|recap2 = www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199104050BOS.html

|home2 = 1

|won2 = 1

|2-1-1 = 0:13 - Skriko (2) - (Wesley, Hodge)

|2-1-2 = Hunter (1) - (Ladouceur) - 5:08
Verbeek (2) - pp - (Zalapski) - 18:55

|2-2-1 = 9:22 - pp - Neely (1) - (Bourque, Hodge)

|2-2-2 = Ladouceur (1) - (Côté, Evason) - 18:12

|2-3-1 = 11:39 - Neely (2) - (Janney)
16:38 - Neely (3) - (Janney, Carpenter)

|2-3-2 = No scoring

|goalie2-1 = Moog (1-1) (24 saves / 27 shots)

|goalie2-2 = Sidorkiewicz (1-1) (36 saves / 40 shots)

|date3 = April 7

|score3 = 6 – 3

|recap3 = www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199104070HAR.html

|home3 = 2

|won3 = 1

|3-1-1 = Bourque (1) - pp - (Hodge, Janney) - 11:07

|3-1-2 = No scoring

|3-2-1 = Wesley (1) - pp - (Bourque, Janney) - 10:38

|3-2-2 = 6:19 - pp - Hunter (2) - (Cullen, Verbeek)

|3-3-1 = Galley (1) - (Unassisted) - 6:49
Christian (1) - (Burridge, Wiemer) - 7:07
B. Sweeney (1) - (Nilan) - 10:05
Janney (1) - pp - (Wesley, Neely) - 14:08

|3-3-2 = 1:59 - Verbeek (3) - (Cullen, Shaw)
15:21 - sh - Yake (1) - (Krygier, Ladouceur)

|goalie3-1 = Moog (2-1) (22 saves / 25 shots)

|goalie3-2 = Sidorkiewicz (1-2) (17 saves / 23 shots)

|date4 = April 9

|score4 = 3 – 4

|recap4 = www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199104090HAR.html

|home4 = 2

|won4 = 2

|4-1-1 = Christian (2) - (Poulin, Quintal) - 15:30
Skriko (3) - pp - (Bourque, Wesley) - 16:57

|4-1-2 = 2:40 - Cullen (2) - (Sidorkiewicz)
3:39 - pp - Hunter (3) - (Cullen, Zalapski)
12:15 - pp - Hunter (4) - (Côté, Cullen)
15:55 - Zalapski (1) - (Krygier, Yake)

|4-2-1 = No scoring

|4-2-2 = No scoring

|4-3-1 = Hodge (1) - (Neely, Skriko) - 14:28

|4-3-2 = No scoring

|goalie4-1 = Moog (2-2) (30 saves / 34 shots)

|goalie4-2 = Sidorkiewicz (2-2) (32 saves / 35 shots)

|date5 = April 11

|score5 = 1 – 6

|recap5 = www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199104110BOS.html

|home5 = 1

|won5 = 1

|5-1-1 = No scoring

|5-1-2 = No scoring

|5-2-1 = No scoring

|5-2-2 = Shaw (1) - (Cullen, Hunter) - 7:16

|5-3-1 = 1:20 - pp - Bourque (2) - (Unassisted)
1:36 - Christian (3) - (Poulin)
8:05 - Lazaro (2) - (Neely, Janney)
10:20 - pp - Neely (4) - (Janney, Bourque)
16:57 - pp - Neely (5) - (Janney, Skriko)
17:53 - pp - Wiemer (1) - (Galley)

|5-3-2 = No scoring

|goalie5-1 = Moog (3-2) (25 saves / 26 shots)

|goalie5-2 = Sidorkiewicz (2-3) (26 saves / 32 shots)

|date6 = April 13

|score6 = 3 – 1

|recap6 = www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199104130HAR.html

|home6 = 2

|won6 = 1

|6-1-1 = Markwart (1) - (Nilan, Poulin) - 3:17
B. Sweeney (2) - (Hodge, Růžička) - 8:50

|6-1-2 = No scoring

|6-2-1 = Christian (4) - (Růžička, Galley) - 2:34

|6-2-2 = No scoring

|6-3-1 = No scoring

|6-3-2 = 13:01 - Hunter (5) - (Evason)

|goalie6-1 = Moog (4-2) (31 saves / 32 shots)

|goalie6-2 = Sidorkiewicz (2-4) (13 saves / 16 shots)

|series =Boston wins series 4 – 2

}}

;Scoring

;Goaltending

;Scoring

;Goaltending

{{cite web |publisher=hockey-reference.com |accessdate=2009-06-02 |title=1990-91 Hartford Whalers Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/HAR/1991.html}}

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus-minus PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals;

      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA=Shots against; SV=Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

The Whalers were involved in the following transactions during the 1990–91 season.

Hartford's draft picks at the 1990 NHL Entry Draft held at the BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

• 1990–91 NHL season

{{reflist}}

{{Hartford Whalers seasons}}

{{1990–91 NHL season by team}}

{{NHL on SportsChannel America}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hartford Whalers season}}

Category:1990–91 NHL season by team

1990-91

Hart

Hart