For Now, Coffey Is a Whaler

Defenseman Paul Coffey, acquired in a trade with Detroit on Wednesday, will practice this morning with the Hartford Whalers in Miami, and could play tonight against the Florida Panthers. . . . John Spano, a New Yorker who now lives in Dallas, emphasized that he has no plans to move his newly purchased New York Islanders out of Long Island. Spano announced Thursday the purchase of at least 82% of the Islanders for a reported $82 million from the principal owner, John O. Pickett.