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.
Regular season
The Whalers had the league's best penalty-kill percentage, with 84.27% (359 for 426).
Final standings
Schedule and results
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.