Coffey Traded To Flyers

Disgruntled 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, 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.

The Whalers got 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 Flyers president and general manager Bob Clarke.

NHL discusses expansion

The main topic was expansion at the NHL Board of Governors meetings. Eleven groups from nine cities have applied for teams. Given commissioner Gary Bettman’s oft-stated desire to “expand the footprint” of the league into larger U.S. television markets, Atlanta and Houston are probably the front-runners.

Panthers back on track

Bill Lindsay scored the go-ahead goal while Florida was shorthanded in the second period, and the Panthers beat visiting Edmonton 6-3 Sunday to stop their first two-game losing streak this season.

Keith Carney’s goal with 1:12 left gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 2-1 victory over visiting Pittsburgh, snapping the Penguins 10-game unbeaten streak.