Lawless played with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League during the 1981–82 season, in which in 68 games, he scored 24 goals and 49 points.
In 92 playoff games, Keon scored 32 goals and 68 points, as well as winning the Stanley Cup four times with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967.
Then Hartford dealt away Linseman and center Don Nachbaur to the Oilers in exchange for defenseman Risto Siltanen and Brent Loney.
Prior to the regular season starting, on October 1, the Whalers were involved in a three way deal with the New York Rangers and the Minnesota North Stars.
Johnson split the 1981–82 season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars, scoring 12 goals and 25 points in 56 games.
Three nights later, Hartford had their home opener, played against the Boston Bruins in front of 12,430 fans at the Civic Center.
After their blowout loss to Montreal, the Whalers rebounded in their next game, defeating the Canadiens by a 7–4 score, which started a five-game unbeaten streak (4–0–1).
On December 17, the Whalers Mike Veisor stopped all 33 shots he faced against the Winnipeg Jets in a 2–0 Hartford win.
Under Pleau, the Whalers won their first game, 5–2 against the Quebec Nordiques, ending their four-game losing streak, followed by a 2–2 tie against the Winnipeg Jets to finish the month of January.
Hartford started off February on a sour note, as they lost 12–3 against the Quebec Nordiques, setting a club record for goals allowed in a game.
The Whalers snapped their losing streak with a 4–2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champions, the New York Islanders on the road.
After a loss against the Los Angeles Kings by a 5–2 score, Hartford would defeat the Montreal Canadiens 4–1, posting a 3–1–0 record in their past four games.
After dropping their first three games of March, the Whalers replaced head coach Larry Pleau with John Cunniff.
The Whalers finished in last place in the Adams Division, 35 points behind the Quebec Nordiques for the fourth and final playoff position.
The club finished 35 points behind the Quebec Nordiques for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Adams Division.