The Nordiques would not bring back Jean Perron, who finished the 1988–89 season as the interim head coach of the team.
Bergeron left the Nordiques to coach the New York Rangers from 1987 to 1989, leading them to two consecutive 82 point seasons.
Quebec also traded Bob Mason to the Washington Capitals for future considerations, and Gaetan Duchesne to the Minnesota North Stars for Kevin Kaminski.
Right at the end of the pre-season, the Nordiques traded away Randy Moller to the New York Rangers for Michel Petit.
The biggest move the club made was signing free agent Guy Lafleur to a two-year contract.
Lafleur won five Stanley Cup championships with the Montreal Canadiens, and had a streak of 50 or more goals in a season and at least 119 points during a six-year stretch from 1974 to 1980.
The Nordiques also signed Lucien DeBlois, who also spent the previous season with the New York Rangers, where he had nine goals and 33 points in 73 games.
The next-worst record belonged to the Vancouver Canucks, who finished with more than twice the Nordiques' point total.
In goal, Ron Tugnutt led the Nordiques with five wins, while posting a club best 4.61 GAA in 35 games.
Divisions: PTK – Patrick, ADM – Adams bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy