Lindros stays with Rangers, for now

[Shell]

Lindros stays with Rangers, for now
TSN.ca Staff
6/11/2003

Eric Lindros has exercised his contract option for next season, meaning he will more than likely be at the New York Rangers training camp this fall.

The New York Post reports the Rangers have decided not to buy Lindros out of his deal for $2.2-million, however, they have broached the subject of restructuring the deal with his agent.

Lindros is scheduled to earn $3.3-million in base salary with another $6-million in bonuses available. The Rangers reportedly would like to raise the base salary and tie the majority of the bonuses to performance rather than games played.

Lindros recorded 19 goals and 53 points last season in 81 games with the Rangers - his lowest season totals since entering the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1992-93.

[AbNormal27]

The Great Debate: What if Eric stayed in Quebec?

It was the goaltending, nothing more and nothing less, that prevented Eric Lindros from leading his Quebec Nordiques to a Stanley Cup championship.

During a nine-year run, Lindros established himself as not only the most popular player in franchise history, but also the most popular athlete in the history of the province who was born outside of it.

There were tears in Lindros's eyes on Aug. 15, 2000, the day he announced his retirement, the day that club president Marcel Aubut announced that the franchise would be honoring the 27-year-old center with the retirement of his famed No. 88. The jersey, Aubut announced, would be raised to the rafters of Le Colisee on opening night of the 2000-01 season against Montreal.

Get it now: Buy the Great Debates issue online ...

Ironically, this would be the very same night on which the newest addition to the old but renovated building would be opened, a third tier of seating that increased capacity to 22,050 - a third tier of seating responding to the demand for tickets created by (and essentially financed by) Lindros's unprecedented popular appeal.

"I know there were some people who thought it might not have been in my best interests to play in Quebec," said Le Gros E, forced into premature retirement after sustaining the fourth concussion on a Scott Stevens hit in Game 7 of the previous spring's Nordiques-Devils Eastern Conference final. "But I can't imagine ever playing anywhere else."

The Nordiques had boasted great and charismatic players previously, notably the Brothers Stastny, Peter, Anton and Marian; Michel Goulet; Wilf Paiement; Mario Marois. But not one had created quite the sensation Lindros had when he joined Quebec in 1991 after being the first overall draft choice in June. It wasn't merely his talent and size that allowed him to cut a swath through every league in which he'd played that made him such a singular sensation.

Rather, it was his charm and charisma that created the connection between himself and the province's hockey-mad citizens, his devotion to learning the native language and culture. "Bonjour," Lindros had said at the entry draft in his first press conference upon pulling the beautiful powder blue Quebec sweater over his shirt and tie. "Je m'appelle Eric."

Up to a dozen teams had sought to deal with Quebec for that first overall selection. The Flyers had offered seven players and draft picks, including the sixth overall selection they would use on Peter Forsberg.

The Rangers offered $12 million in cash and young developing stars Brian Leetch and Mike Richter. There'd been much pressure on the Nordiques, much debate within the organization whether to select Lindros or to make one of the aforementioned trades. But it only took Lindros saying "bonjour," to convince Aubut to say, "au revoir," to all other suitors.

In his first year, Lindros led the Nordiques, who had finished last overall with 31 points the previous season, to a 37-point improvement and a playoff berth. With Mats Sundin on his right and a combination of Mike Hough, Valeri Kamensky and John Tonelli on his left, Lindros recorded 84 points to win the Calder Trophy, and indeed, finished second in the Hart balloting.

He then had nine points in his team's seven-game, first round loss to the Canadiens, in which Patrick Roy dramatically outplayed the combination of Stephane Fiset and Jacques Cloutier.

No one could know it then, of course, but that season established the blueprint of his career. No matter how productive he and his line were - he and left winger Martin Rucinsky, who joined the club late in Lindros's rookie season, combined so well they reminded people of Gretzky and Kurri, Trottier and Bossy - the Nordiques were undone by goaltending.

Lindros would win the Art Ross three straight times beginning with 1993-94 and he would win the Hart three times in his career. But he would reach the Stanley Cup final only once, in 1998, when a series of earlier upsets created a lopsided Quebec-Washington conference final his club won in six, despite the unsteady play of Chris Osgood in net. The team could not compensate for their goaltender in the Cup final, however, losing four straight to the Red Wings and Mike Vernon.

Recognizing the fragility of their star - Lindros had suffered concussions during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, injuries to which management reacted with sensitivity - the Nordiques annually had sought to deal for a franchise goaltender.

At one point, the team thought it had a deal for Richter. But the greatest disappointment came midway through 1995-96 when the Canadiens auctioned the great Patrick Roy. The Nordiques had offered a package featuring Joe Sakic, Adam Foote and Jocelyn Thibault to Montreal, by far the best offer the Canadiens received. But Montreal simply could not trade Roy to its hated provincial rival, could not bear the fan and media-backlash the deal would have produced.

And so, Roy was dealt to the Islanders for a package including Todd Bertuzzi, Darius Kasparaitis, Eric Fichaud and Scott Lachance. Le Gros E continued to persevere. The Nordiques remained the league's most popular gate attraction on the road. But the team could not overcome its goaltending. And Lindros could not overcome two subsequent concussions. Hence, premature retirement.

"I've been luckier than most," Lindros said, first in English, then in French, while accompanied at the retirement announcement by his wife and young son. "To think I might have spent my career somewhere else - like Philadelphia." He laughed, then shook his head.

I can say, without reservation, that the Lindros trade to Philly lead, in part, to the Whalers becoming the Hurricanes.

When the basement dwelling Nordiques dealt Lindros, they received a lot of talent in return. That talent helped the franchise get back to the playoffs, and keep the Whalers from the post season, where they reamined for the next 5 consecutive years, before the move to Raleigh.

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

The Great Debate: What if Eric stayed in Quebec?

It was the goaltending, nothing more and nothing less, that prevented Eric Lindros from leading his Quebec Nordiques to a Stanley Cup championship.

During a nine-year run, Lindros established himself as not only the most popular player in franchise history, but also the most popular athlete in the history of the province who was born outside of it.

There were tears in Lindros's eyes on Aug. 15, 2000, the day he announced his retirement, the day that club president Marcel Aubut announced that the franchise would be honoring the 27-year-old center with the retirement of his famed No. 88. The jersey, Aubut announced, would be raised to the rafters of Le Colisee on opening night of the 2000-01 season against Montreal.

Get it now: Buy the Great Debates issue online ...

Ironically, this would be the very same night on which the newest addition to the old but renovated building would be opened, a third tier of seating that increased capacity to 22,050 - a third tier of seating responding to the demand for tickets created by (and essentially financed by) Lindros's unprecedented popular appeal.

"I know there were some people who thought it might not have been in my best interests to play in Quebec," said Le Gros E, forced into premature retirement after sustaining the fourth concussion on a Scott Stevens hit in Game 7 of the previous spring's Nordiques-Devils Eastern Conference final. "But I can't imagine ever playing anywhere else."

The Nordiques had boasted great and charismatic players previously, notably the Brothers Stastny, Peter, Anton and Marian; Michel Goulet; Wilf Paiement; Mario Marois. But not one had created quite the sensation Lindros had when he joined Quebec in 1991 after being the first overall draft choice in June. It wasn't merely his talent and size that allowed him to cut a swath through every league in which he'd played that made him such a singular sensation.

Rather, it was his charm and charisma that created the connection between himself and the province's hockey-mad citizens, his devotion to learning the native language and culture. "Bonjour," Lindros had said at the entry draft in his first press conference upon pulling the beautiful powder blue Quebec sweater over his shirt and tie. "Je m'appelle Eric."

Up to a dozen teams had sought to deal with Quebec for that first overall selection. The Flyers had offered seven players and draft picks, including the sixth overall selection they would use on Peter Forsberg.

The Rangers offered $12 million in cash and young developing stars Brian Leetch and Mike Richter. There'd been much pressure on the Nordiques, much debate within the organization whether to select Lindros or to make one of the aforementioned trades. But it only took Lindros saying "bonjour," to convince Aubut to say, "au revoir," to all other suitors.

In his first year, Lindros led the Nordiques, who had finished last overall with 31 points the previous season, to a 37-point improvement and a playoff berth. With Mats Sundin on his right and a combination of Mike Hough, Valeri Kamensky and John Tonelli on his left, Lindros recorded 84 points to win the Calder Trophy, and indeed, finished second in the Hart balloting.

He then had nine points in his team's seven-game, first round loss to the Canadiens, in which Patrick Roy dramatically outplayed the combination of Stephane Fiset and Jacques Cloutier.

No one could know it then, of course, but that season established the blueprint of his career. No matter how productive he and his line were - he and left winger Martin Rucinsky, who joined the club late in Lindros's rookie season, combined so well they reminded people of Gretzky and Kurri, Trottier and Bossy - the Nordiques were undone by goaltending.

Lindros would win the Art Ross three straight times beginning with 1993-94 and he would win the Hart three times in his career. But he would reach the Stanley Cup final only once, in 1998, when a series of earlier upsets created a lopsided Quebec-Washington conference final his club won in six, despite the unsteady play of Chris Osgood in net. The team could not compensate for their goaltender in the Cup final, however, losing four straight to the Red Wings and Mike Vernon.

Recognizing the fragility of their star - Lindros had suffered concussions during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, injuries to which management reacted with sensitivity - the Nordiques annually had sought to deal for a franchise goaltender.

At one point, the team thought it had a deal for Richter. But the greatest disappointment came midway through 1995-96 when the Canadiens auctioned the great Patrick Roy. The Nordiques had offered a package featuring Joe Sakic, Adam Foote and Jocelyn Thibault to Montreal, by far the best offer the Canadiens received. But Montreal simply could not trade Roy to its hated provincial rival, could not bear the fan and media-backlash the deal would have produced.

And so, Roy was dealt to the Islanders for a package including Todd Bertuzzi, Darius Kasparaitis, Eric Fichaud and Scott Lachance. Le Gros E continued to persevere. The Nordiques remained the league's most popular gate attraction on the road. But the team could not overcome its goaltending. And Lindros could not overcome two subsequent concussions. Hence, premature retirement.

"I've been luckier than most," Lindros said, first in English, then in French, while accompanied at the retirement announcement by his wife and young son. "To think I might have spent my career somewhere else - like Philadelphia." He laughed, then shook his head.

I can say, without reservation, that the Lindros trade to Philly lead, in part, to the Whalers becoming the Hurricanes.

When the basement dwelling Nordiques dealt Lindros, they received a lot of talent in return. That talent helped the franchise get back to the playoffs, and keep the Whalers from the post season, where they reamined for the next 5 consecutive years, before the move to Raleigh.

Aaryn

[puck_it]

who the hell in their right mind would want to pick him up? toooooo much liability

[puck_it]

who the hell in their right mind would want to pick him up? toooooo much liability

[Mona]

You know it is really hard for me to comprehend why so many of the players try so hard to stay in the game that they love so much ..suffering through concussions, back injuries.. and the group as a whole can't even reach an agreement to play. How f'ed up is that?? :mad:

[Mona]

You know it is really hard for me to comprehend why so many of the players try so hard to stay in the game that they love so much ..suffering through concussions, back injuries.. and the group as a whole can't even reach an agreement to play. How f'ed up is that?? :mad:

[Fernando da Silva]

You´re kidding... ONLY (to Rangers defaults) 3.3 millions???

[Fernando da Silva]

You´re kidding... ONLY (to Rangers defaults) 3.3 millions???