Hartford Whalers

What you need to know about the Whalers going into the 1997 season

The Hartford Whalers will have a slightly different look this season. After an offseason of trades and moves from general manager Ron Francis, the Whalers have re-tooled in a few key positions for the upcoming season.

New offseason acquisition Scott Darling will likely get the bulk of starts in net, pushing Cam Ward out of the starters position for the first time in years. Darling made a name for himself as a backup in Chicago, and he’ll have the chance to prove his mettle as a starter in Hartford.

While Justin Williams adds a veteran presence on offense, the defensive end is where the Whalers will shine. Lead by Noah Hanifin, Justin Faulk, Jaccob Slavin, and Trevor van Riemsdyk, the Whalers will look to climb a mountain of a Metropolitan Division. Other young cores in the league will likely dazzle more than the one in Hartford, but Jeff Skinner, Sebastian Aho, and Victor Rask will be a trio to watch.

Bolstered by the veteran gets in the offseason, the Whalers have surrounded themselves with one of their best teams in recent years.