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 Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:26 am
Here a Through The Years notion of recently retired Eric Lindros  Big, bruisin' center Eric Lindros had a 13-year NHL career that promised big thin's before a relentless wave of injuries derailed his considerable talent. His accomplishments--372 goals, 865 points, 1995 Hart n' Lester Pearson MVP trophies--speak of what was, as well was what might have been.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:28 am
Eric was born in London, Ontario, to Carl n' Bonnie Lindros, who stage-managed his career to much controversy, 1st of which was refusin' to let him join OHL's Sault St. Marie Greyhounds after they drafted him in 1989. A sensation in Canada by age 15, Lindros led OHL's Oshawa Generals to 1990 Memorial Cup n' scored 71 goals n' 149 points in 57 games for them followin' season.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:30 am
Expected to be NHL's next superstar, hence his billin' as The Next One, Lindros was drafted 1st overall by Quebec in 1991. He refused to play for strugglin' Nordiques n', seekin' a bigger stage, forced a 1992 blockbuster trade to Philadelphia for Peter Forsberg n' 5 others, plus picks n' cash. 6-4, 235-pound Lindros made an immediate impact with Flyers, scorin' 41 goals n' usherin' in age of power forward.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:32 am
Lindros scored 40 or more goals 3 times in his 1st 4 seasons while skatin' on Flyers' potent Legion of Doom Line with wingers John LeClair n' Mikael Renberg.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:34 am
Durin' lockout-abbreviated 1994-95 season Lindros was named Flyers' captain n' shared NHL scorin' lead with 29 goals n' 70 points in 46 games, winnin' Hart n' Pearson MVP honors. Next season, at peak of his powers, he hit his career high of 115 points.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:35 am
In 1996-97 Lindros powered Philly to Stanley Cup Finals against Detroit. Though he led NHL in postseason scorin' with 12 goals n' 26 points in 19 games, Flyers could not stave off a sweep by Red Wings.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:36 am
With an impressive international resume that included 2 World Junior championships, 1991 Canada Cup title n' a 1992 Olympic silver medal, Lindros was named captain of Team Canada for `98 Winter Games. Alas, he came home empty-handed after losin' bronze medal game to Finland.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:37 am
Injuries began to take their toll in 1996-97 when Lindros missed 1st 23 games with a groin injury. His biggest nemesis was concussion. Especially vulnerable due to his size, speed n' habit of skatin' with his head down, Lindros suffered 8 durin' his career, includin' 6 in a span of 2 years.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:38 am
Lindros's younger brother Brett, a 1st-round draft pick by New York Islanders in 1994, had his NHL career cut short by concussions in 1996. He was only 20 years old.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:40 am
A vicious shoulder to jaw by Scott Stevens in 2000 Eastern Conference finals spelled end of Lindros's 8 seasons with Flyers. He sat out 2000-01 season while he recuperated, his relationship with Flyers' GM Bob Clarke sourin' as he questioned quality of care team was providin'. Clarke flatly refused Lindros's demand to be traded to Toronto.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:41 am
In August 2001 Flyers finally sent Lindros to Rangers, where he was united with his boyhood idol Mark Messier. Lindros scored 37 goals durin' his 1st season on Broadway n' missed only 1 game followin' season. A shoulder injury n' concussion durin' his third campaign, as well as team's failure to make playoffs durin' his tenure, led Rangers to decline his option.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:42 am
1 of bright spots of a tough stretch came in 2002 when Lindros won a gold medal while playin' for Team Canada at Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:43 am
After signin' with Toronto Maple Leafs in August 2005, Lindros was plagued by a wrist injury, scorin' 22 points in 32 games.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:45 am
Signed by Dallas Stars in 2006, Lindros spent his final NHL season battlin' a groin injury n' hopin' for a revival of his fadin' skills. He scored 5 goals n' 26 points in 49 games, makin' his 1st, n' final, postseason appearance since Stevens hit.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:46 am
Lindros spent much of this year launchin' his new career with NHL Players Association. He was 1 of 5 players who spearheaded search committee for a new executive director.
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