The 1983–84 Hartford Whalers season was the Whalers' fifth season in the National Hockey League.
Offseason
In early May, the Whalers hired Emile Francis as president and general manager of the club. As a player, Francis was a goaltender who played with the Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers from 1946 to 1952, in which he had a record of 32-52-10 and a 3.75 GAA in 95 games. Following his playing career, Francis was the head coach and general manager of the New York Rangers from 1965 to 1976, where he led the team to a 342-209-103 record. From 1970 to 1973, Francis led the Rangers to three consecutive 100+ point seasons. After he was relieved of his duties in January 1976, Francis joined the St. Louis Blues as general manager and executive vice-president. Francis also was the head coach of the team for 124 games, as St. Louis had a 46-64-14 record. Francis accepted the position with Hartford, as St. Louis was having severe financial problems during this time.
At the 1983 NHL Entry Draft held on June 8 at the Montreal Forum, the Whalers selected left winger Sylvain Turgeon from the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with their first round, second overall selection. Turgeon played in 67 games with Hull, scoring 54 goals and 163 points to lead the club in scoring. In eight playoff games, Turgeon scored eight goals and 15 points. Another notable selection by Hartford was defenseman Joe Reekie in the seventh round.
On June 24, the Whalers acquired left winger Norm Dupont from the Winnipeg Jets for a fourth round draft pick in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Dupont scored seven goals and 23 points in 39 games with the Jets during the 1982-83 season. In one playoff game, Dupont had a goal and an assist. In 1980-81, Dupont scored 27 goals and 53 points to finish third in team scoring.
On July 5, Hartford traded defenseman Mickey Volcan to the Calgary Flames in exchange for defensemen Richie Dunn and Joel Quenneville. Dunn played in all 80 games for Calgary in 1982-83, scoring three goals and 14 points. In nine playoff games, Dunn added a goal and two points. Quenneville spent the 1982-83 season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to Calgary earlier in the off-season. In 74 games with New Jersey, Quenneville scored five goals and 17 points in their first season after they relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982-83 season.
Two days later, on July 7, Hartford hired Jack Evans as the head coach. Evans had previous NHL head coaching experience with the California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barons franchise from 1975 to 1978, where he led the club to a 74-129-37 record in their final three seasons before the team merged with the Minnesota North Stars. From 1978 to 1983, Evans was the head coach of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey League, where he led the club to the Adams Cup in 1980 and 1981. As a player, Evans played with the New York Rangers from 1948 to 1958, and the Chicago Black Hawks from 1958 to 1963. He won the Stanley Cup in 1961. In 754 career games, Evans scored 19 goals and 99 points, while in 56 playoff games, he had two goals and four points.
On August 19, the Whalers acquired center Steve Stoyanovich from the New York Islanders for a fifth round draft pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Stoyanovich spent the 1982-83 season with the Indianapolis Checkers of the CHL, scoring 41 goals and 84 points in 79 games. In 13 playoff games, Stoyanovich scored six goals and nine points.
On September 7, Hartford acquired right winger Tom Gorence from the Philadelphia Flyers for future considerations. Gorence had seven goals and 14 points in 53 games with the Flyers during 1982-83.
The Whalers reacquired defenseman Marty Howe on September 29, after receiving him from the Boston Bruins for future considerations. Howe had played with the Whalers from 1977 to 1982 before being traded after the 1981-82 season. In 78 games with Boston in 1982-83, Howe had a goal and 12 points, while in 12 playoff games, he earned an assist.
On the next day, September 30, Hartford acquired center Greg Malone from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third round draft pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Malone finished third in Penguins team scoring during the 1982-83 season, scoring 17 goals and 61 points while playing in all 80 games.
The Whalers were busy on October 3, as they traded left winger Greg Adams to the Washington Capitals for left winger Torrie Robertson. Robertson appeared in only five games with Washington in 1982-83, scoring two goals. With the Hershey Bears of the AHL, Robertson scored 21 goals and 54 points in 69 games, while accumulating 187 penalty minutes. In five playoff games with Hershey, Robertson had a goal and three points.