Whalers, Red Wings Complete Major Trade

Hartford Whaler left wing Brendan Shanahan and Detroit Red Wing forward Keith Primeau got their wishes Wednesday, but Detroit’s Paul Coffey got what may be only a temporary new address.

Ending weeks of speculation, the Whalers traded Shanahan and defenseman Brian Glynn to the Red Wings for Coffey--the NHL’s career scoring leader among defensemen--Primeau, and a 1997 first-round draft pick. The deal nearly fell apart when Primeau changed his mind about the contract he accepted contingent on the trade, but the details were completed a few hours before the Red Wings’ home opener at Joe Louis Arena.

Coffey, 35, was reluctant to leave Detroit for Hartford, where the Whalers have struggled on the ice and at the box office for several seasons. However, his stay may be brief because broadcast reports indicated the Whalers will trade him to another team. General Manager Jim Rutherford also acknowledged he will listen to offers for the three-time Norris Trophy winner.

“All I know is I’m out of here,” Coffey, who has 1,410 points in 1,154 games, said before leaving Detroit. “I’d rather not say anything more.”

Scotty Bowman, the Red Wings’ coach and player personnel director, said Coffey refused to speak to him. “It’s not easy,” Bowman said. “I think everybody knows that. Paul’s been traded before, and it’s unfortunate. Most of the times he’s been traded it’s not a result of his play on the ice or what he can bring a team. It’s mainly his contract.”

Coffey will earn $2.6 million this season and next, and $2.9 million in 1998-99.

Shanahan, 27, was expected to help save the franchise when Hartford acquired him from St. Louis for Chris Pronger in July 1995. However, he recently resigned as the Whalers’ captain and requested a trade, citing the club’s uncertain future in Hartford. One of the NHL’s premier power forwards, he scored 44 goals last season and has 289 goals in 634 games.

“Hockey-wise I think everybody knows he’s hard-nosed,” Bowman said. “I don’t know how many people there are like him in the league. He’s a winger, a power winger that can score. Obviously, that’s what we’re expecting.”

Primeau, 25, scored 27 goals last season but scored only one in 17 playoff games. His lack of production was a key to Detroit’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference finals after a record-setting 62-victory season. He did not report to training camp and asked to be traded.

The Red Wings said Glynn will be assigned to the minor leagues.