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Brandon, MB • Canada • 19 Years Old • Male

The Lindros Factor?

Posted 1:34 PM ET | Comments 17
The key question is truly, can all 6 ft 4 240 pound Eric Lindros still be the deciding factor in sixty-minutes like he was from 92 to 99. Lindros collected a considerable amount of attention, rightfully so. In the 95/96 season he collected 115 points (47G, 68A), the year previous he won the Hart Trophy and the Lester B. Person Award and was on the rise to becoming one of the best players to ever play in the National Hockey League.

Drafted in 1991 by the Quebec Nordiques 1st overall, after a stellar Ontario Hockey League where he amassed 216 points in just 95 regular season games. In his draft year he collected 149 points (71G, 78A) in 57 games and went on to win the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year award in his draft year, which led to Quebec taking him first overall ahead of Scott Neidermayer, Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Alexi Kovalev and Martin Rucinsky. In 1992, Philadelphia Flyers 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.

With his imposing physical stength, and play making ability, he established himself as the face of the franchise in Philadelphia from 92 to 99. In between, Lindros had a serious of concussion problems, where he would be forced to miss a majority of games due to his on going problems. The first in 1998 from a hit delivered by Pittsburgh's Darius Kasparaitis that sidelined him for 18 games. Lindros' relationship with Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke soon deteriorated. Clark and Lindros feuded through the media, causing speculation that he would soon be traded. Which he was in 2001, to the New York Rangers for Jan Hlavac, Kim Johnsson, Pavel Brendl and a 3rd round selection (Stefan Ruzicka) in 2003. He played for the Rangers for three seasons, he seemed to regain some of his play making ability. In his first year with the Rangers, he collected 73 points (37G, 36A) in 72 games, and speculation that post concussion symptoms has subsided had arisen.

In 2004, Lindros suffered his 8th concussion during a game in Washington. The severity of the injury wasn't immediately known, but turned out to end his season after just 34 games. An un-ristricted free agent in 2005, the Toronto Maple Leafs took a gamble in signing Lindros, which unfortunately never paid dived ends. Lindros only played a total of 33 games for the Leafs. In December, he suffered a wrist injury, which eventually led to him missing the remainder of the season.

In 2006, he signed with the Dallas Stars after a dismal season with the Leafs. Lindros played in 49 games with Dallas scoring only 5 times, and adding 29 assists for 26 points. Adding to a magnitude of problems, he suffered a groin injury which caused him to miss the last 16 games of the regular season and Games 1 through 4 against Vancouver.

Lindros, who is currently a UFA has been rumored to have a few teams interested in his services. Reported by Eklund, Vancouver, Calgary, San Jose are believed to be the front runners in getting his services. Although, Lindros has publically stated his more concerned with working with the NHLPA and is believed to be looking at working in the NHLPA and giving up his playing career.

If you we're an NHL General Manager, would you be interested in signing Eric Lindros? Why or why not?

( Note: Statistics taken from TSN.ca, and information taken from wikipedia.org)
Filed Under:   concussion   Stars   Leafs   Dallas   Lindros   Flyers  
August 22, 2007 1:42 PM ET | Delete
From a Flames perspective, I'd say no. I don't know where he would fit on our team. He wouldn't be a centre as we have more than we need there. And if you stick him on the wing you'd be giving up on Moss or another youngster. I think there are teams who could benefit from having him though and maybe Vancouver would be one to think about it. They could have a nice bruising line with him and Pyatt.
August 22, 2007 1:58 PM ET | Delete
from a sharks position i would say yes. we lost billy and bell. and mabye smithy he is a much better player than all three of them. and paired up with the right players he can get back to his original form (AKA Joe thornton) who gets everyone back on track.
August 22, 2007 2:26 PM ET | Delete
I think what would stop me if I were GM from signing Lindros is simply that it is not work $1.5 to have a player with such a history of injury. I mean 8 concussions? That's a lot to be worried about every time you step onto the ice. I know how that feels, it's scary every time Erik Cole takes a big hit, you wonder if he's down for the count. Sure, if Lindros is healthy, he's great. But I'd rather spend that money on a UFA with less skill, but a better history of health.
August 22, 2007 2:27 PM ET | Delete
$1.5 Million that is. I'd sign Lindros for 1 dollar and fifty cents.
August 22, 2007 2:47 PM ET | Delete
ooooh boy was I pissed when Dallas failed to re-sign Jason Arnott and then went and signed Grandma Lindros. (yeah I know I'm gonna get some smack for this but... I'm just stating my opinion) I know you cant really "compare" them, so to speak but c'mon.... who would have been the better risk for the money? Lindros was rumored to have made a few slams against the Stars organization for even signing him. He isnt exactly that popular here after this past season which is one of the reasons - albeit a small one - that he wasnt resigned. One of the bigger reasons being he didnt do a all that much on the ice and missed several games (SHOCKER!) due to injury. Yes Lindros was great in his prime, which is not now. Sure, he'll be a Hall of Famer even... but did he tear it up here in Dallas? NO. If I were a GM, I wouldnt sign him. He's one knock to the noggin away from drooling anyway.
August 22, 2007 2:52 PM ET | Delete
He's just not good anymore.
August 22, 2007 3:13 PM ET | Delete
Yea, unfortunately he isn't that good anymore. He used to be a joy to watch, but he's more of a risk than Peca... but I'd say he's on par in risk with Forsberg.. just minus the point potential.
August 22, 2007 3:46 PM ET | Delete
Does he have any brain matter left, or did Scott Stevens smash it out of his skull?
August 22, 2007 4:10 PM ET | Delete
In order for him to play well he has had to play a certain way, to say the problem is in his head is both a literal and metaphorical way of putting it since he does have to worry about a dirty hit or even a clean hard one. I personally think he's one of those guys you'd like to get at the deadline because of his hands but let someone else worry about his salary for the season.
August 22, 2007 7:50 PM ET | Delete
Any more concussions, this guy will be gone with no brain power left. I think he is ineffective in the NHL now. He should retire to save his health.
August 22, 2007 7:50 PM ET | Delete
Any more concussions, this guy will be gone with no brain power left. I think he is ineffective in the NHL now. He should retire to save his health.
August 22, 2007 7:50 PM ET | Delete
Any more concussions, this guy will be gone with no brain power left. I think he is ineffective in the NHL now. He should retire to save his health.
August 23, 2007 2:02 AM ET | Delete
From Lindros's stadnpoint - he should just retire. From a GM standpoint, I can see how a team could go for him, if the price is right. I mean, even though he is not Big E from '92-'99, he can still have 50 points in a season. So, I would consider him for a 3rd line center for about $1 mil. (NOT for NYR though)
August 23, 2007 3:05 AM ET | Delete
heh, you guys couldn't afford it anyways
August 23, 2007 3:09 AM ET | Delete
why? we could afford a mil. :)
August 23, 2007 8:34 AM ET | Delete
When he was in Toronto before the wrist debacle (typical He said/she said on blame there) he actually stepped up when Mats was out for an extended period of time. Which was great to see, but, with him being constantly bit by the injury bug, it's time to hang them up. He should've hung them up after the last concussion in my honest opinion, as he's potentially one concussion from becoming a vegetable. Besides, if he's enjoying his current PA roll, how much of that is going to be weighing on his mind if he does sign and play? I'd say, hang them up and focus on that if that's what you are enjoying.
August 23, 2007 6:03 PM ET | Delete
I'd say it's time to call it a career. Why continue to embarrass your self?
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