Disgruntled Coffey Traded to the Flyers

Defenseman Paul Coffey, unhappy since being dealt to the Hartford Whalers earlier this season, was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday for defenseman Kevin Haller and two draft picks.

In addition to Coffey, 35, the NHL’s career leader in goals, assists and points by a defenseman, the Flyers picked up a third-round pick in the 1997 draft. In exchange, the Whalers got the 26-year-old Haller, a six-year veteran with previous stops in Buffalo and Montreal, and first- and seventh-round picks in the 1997 draft.

“The opportunity to get a player of Paul Coffey’s ability, experience and character does not come along very often,” said Flyer President and General Manager Bob Clarke. “He will be a major asset.”

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There is a chance Ranger center Mark Messier could return tonight when New York faces the Hartford Whalers. Messier suffered a hyperextended right elbow Dec. 6 and has been slow to heal. . . . Peter Forsberg is expected to sit out the next two games for the Colorado Avalanche because of a leg injury suffered Saturday at Calgary.