Lindros A Hall Of Famer

Posted 11:41 AM ET | Comments 7

So I went to check TSN.CA's (http://tsn.ca/nhl/)NHL page and they have one of their polls up there. This time is asks the simple question, "Is Eric Lindros a Hall of Famer?" As of this writing the results are a lopsided 71% no to 29%. I took some time to break down the numbers that Lindros posted in his career.

Games Played 760
Goals 372
Assits 493
Total Points 865

In the playoffs Lindros played in 53 games while putting up 57 points while playing in one Cup Final with Philly in 96-97.

All Star Teams 9
Voted Player of the Year 94-95 (Lester B. Pearson Award)
NHL MVP 94-95 (Hart Award)

Drafted in 91 by the Quebec Nordics Lindros was touted as the next great player. The next Great One. The player that the NHL was hoping to pass the mantle of greatness to. Is the judgment of Lindros more of a statement of failed expectations than that of a player who really did have a good career? I think it is. He has had a great NHL career but one that always seemed to have a cloud hanging over it.

That cloud started when he refused to play for the Nordiques and demanded a trade. Philly ponied up when they traded Ron Hextall, Peter Forsberg, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Mike Ricci, Chris Simon, 1st round selection (Jocelyn Thibault) in 1993, 1st round selection (later traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, later traded to the Washington Capitals - Nolan Baumgartner) in 1994 and cash to the Quebec Nordiques for Eric Lindros (Wow...wouldn't you like to take a do over on that one Philly?). I feel like, from that point forward, only a player putting up true Gretzky type numbers would be able to live up to the expectations that the fans in Philly (and the NHL for that matter) must have had for him.

Couple that with his history of injuries and you have a career that could have been. Eric was an extremely gifted athlete who was never able to live up to the hype the preceded him and that he demanded. I found it sad to watch him the last few year but I did find myself rooting for him. I wanted him to have one more great year...just to give everyone something to remember him by. I don't think his numbers will get him in the HOF and that too is sad. As is it now Eric will be remembered for the player he had become, injured and unable to perform at high levels, instead of the greatness to which he aspired and we expected.

Filed Under: eric lindros predjoe Nordiques forsberg flyers

dawg

November 9, 2007 1:37 PM ET | Delete
I for one don't believe in comparing numbers to determine hall of fame status. At some point you have to look at the players impact on the game as just cause for induction.For example...I personally believe that while the "Power Forward" existed prior to Eric, he and his line mates drastically changed the way the game was played. Not just at that time, but moving forward. It wasn't until the rules changed after the recent lockout that smaller players started to find their way into the NHL in larger numbers.Thanks to Mr. Lindros the term "Legion of Doom" is among the most recognized line names in history. I don't see how you can keep him out.

predjoe

November 9, 2007 2:08 PM ET | Delete
Dawg - great point. Eric defines 'power forward' in hockey. Deep down I hope you are right that he makes it in but I still think that people may forget some of things he brought to the game and instead remember the way he finished it.

Buts16

November 9, 2007 4:35 PM ET | Delete
The E-Train was a beast, I can only image the numbers if he was healthy. I'm not sure he gets in to be honest. He just donated $5 million of his own money to a cause in London Ontario. Pretty classy move, I hope he makes it.

jmayes75

November 9, 2007 4:41 PM ET | Delete
Dawg and Predjoe I absolutely agree with you. Eric Lindros should and imo will be in the hall of fame. When a player has that much impact on a game you have to put them in there. Eric could not control the injuries that he suffered. Had he not suffered the injuries he had and played more there would not even be a question about this. The numbers would speak for themselves. Eric would still be an impact forward in today's game however and unfortunately I think the concussions finally caught up to him. It sad that since the lockout we have lost so many great players to retirement for one reason or another. Brett Hull, Al McGuinnes, Ron Francis, Mark Messier, etc... Loosing Eric Lindros is just another blow to the NHL in this the post lockout era.

FlyerX

November 9, 2007 9:12 PM ET | Delete
He snubbed a Canadian based team. That's where the hate comes from. I think most Philly fans would tell you he should be in there. Most of the players asked for comment said the same thing I always thought: he was the best player in hockey for about 3 years. The lockout really finished him as a player.

blueline

November 9, 2007 10:43 PM ET | Delete
Good blog pj and good reader posts. Often, popular perceptions are based on fickle and trendy sentiments that usually don't reflect that which really counts. After reading your post and the responses, it would seem that logic prevails, at least on HB. So much of what is most important for hockey rests on defining moments and styles as dawg so aptly stated regarding Mr. Lindros. THN's special issue "Sixty Moments That Changed the Game" is full of great examples of this (a recommended read - it was really good). Getting back on point - I think wiser heads prevail and Eric Lindros makes it to the HHOF.

jphiggins

November 10, 2007 9:35 PM ET | Delete
Not a chance he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Not only do his numbers say he doesn't belong in the HoF, but he was a crybaby asshole that refused to be drafted by Quebec, leading to the trade that gave Quebec Forsburg, Hextall, Duchesne, a couple of picks, etc. A few years later, the Avs (Quebec) won a couple of Stanley Cups with the players that were given away for Lindros, all while Lindros was on the downward spiral health wise, much by his own fault. What kind of meathead skates across the blue line with his head down, not only against Darius Kasperitus, but also Scott Stevens?Lindros in no way, shape or form deserves HoF consideration. He wasn't talented enough, and most certainly wasn't classy or smart enough. Good riddance, the NHL's all the better for his retirement.

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