[wutthecrapman]

Lindros, Maple Leafs negotiating contract

Eric Lindros' dream of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs could be closer to coming true.

Citing undisclosed sources, TSN of Canada reported Wednesday that Lindros is on the verge of signing a contract with the Maple Leafs, pending an MRI exam.

The Toronto Star reported on its Web site that talks might have hit a significant hurdle, however.

Signing Lindros would have a major impact against Toronto's salary cap than had been expected. The Star reported all money in a contract offer to Lindros must be guaranteed, making the signing of the center with a lengthy history of injuries a much riskier move.

Lindros reportedly had been offered a one-year, $1.5 million contract by the Columbus Blue Jackets, who removed themselves from the running for his services.

A native of London, Ontario, Lindros hoped to be traded to Toronto after a fallout with Philadelphia Flyers general manager Bob Clarke in 2000. After missing the entire 2000-01 season due to post-concussion syndrome and a contract dispute, Lindros instead was dealt to the New York Rangers in August 2001.

The most heralded prospect since Mario Lemieux, Lindros was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991 but vowed not to play for the struggling franchise, forcing a blockbuster trade to Philadelphia in July 1992 that involved seven players and $15 million going to the Nordiques, including 2003 Hart Trophy winner Peter Forsberg.

Lindros himself won the Hart Trophy in 1995 but has not been the game-changing player envisioned by critics, partly because of numerous concussions and other injuries sustained due to his physical style of play. Lindros' younger brother Brett was forced into early retirement after just two seasons with the New York Islanders due to head injuries.

A six-time All-Star, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Lindros has scored 30 or more goals seven times during his 11-year career, including four 40-goal seasons. The 32-year-old enjoyed his best season in 1995-96, recording career highs of 47 goals, 68 assists and 115 points.

In 678 career games with the Flyers and Rangers, Lindros has 356 goals, 461 assists and 1,285 penalty minutes.

[Sabroso]

Lindros is overrated, overpaid and overegoized...and i dont even know if thats a word..

any team that would court him knowing his history deserves what they get..

He's become to the NHL what Terrell Owens is to the NFL..an infantile crybaby..

welcome to the dept of redundancy dept..i'm sab..how can i help you..

ok all done

[siwelwerd]

Sabroso, on Aug 11 2005, 11:51 AM, said:

Lindros is overrated, overpaid and overegoized...and i dont even know if thats a word..

any team that would court him knowing his history deserves what they get..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When Lindros is at the top of his game he is a force to be reckoned with. You cannot overlook those seasons he put up in the mid 90's when he was healthy. Yes, he's a liability, but if they keep him off the ice against Scott Stevens and teach him to get his head up I think he could regain his old form. It appears to be a risk the Leafs are willing to take.

To me Forsberg and Lindros are very similar in that manner--when healthy, arguably MVP candidates, but with a history of injury problems.

[mageta621]

haha, lindros. havent had a laugh like that in years. i hope the flyers get him back (won't happen) because i hate the flyers...

[Sabroso]

siwelwerd, on Aug 11 2005, 11:17 AM, said:

When Lindros is at the top of his game he is a force to be reckoned with.  You cannot overlook those seasons he put up in the mid 90's when he was healthy.  Yes, he's a liability, but if they keep him off the ice against Scott Stevens and teach him to get his head up I think he could regain his old form.  It appears to be a risk the Leafs are willing to take.

To me Forsberg and Lindros are very similar in that manner--when healthy, arguably MVP candidates, but with a history of injury problems.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

point..

but his attitude diminished his skill when healthy..

[paris57]

I disagree, I think his attitude is the best thing about him. He was a real leader in Philadelphia. He may have argued with the General Manager, but I have never seen anything "crybaby" like from him. I suppose you could argue the whole Nordiques thing was a bit "crybaby", but that was over a decade ago when he was a young kid.

I wouldn't sign him long-term, just because of his injury status, but he's definitely a great asset when he's on the ice.

[siwelwerd]

paris57, on Aug 11 2005, 03:25 PM, said:

I disagree, I think his attitude is the best thing about him. He was a real leader in Philadelphia. He may have argued with the General Manager, but I have never seen anything "crybaby" like from him. I suppose you could argue the whole Nordiques thing was a bit "crybaby", but that was over a decade ago when he was a young kid.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the Nordiques ended up better of for it anyways... I mean looking back I would have traded 7 players including Lindros for Forsberg, not 7 players including Forsberg for Lindros. You also can't forget that Bob Clarke is not the most amicable GM around. And Lindros did lead them to the Finals in 97. I think in the right situation Lindros could rebuild his reputation. Not sure that's in Toronto, though--I think he might fit nicely in the Western Conference (where he's less likely to get nailed with his head down).

[Sabroso]

paris57, on Aug 11 2005, 02:25 PM, said:

I disagree, I think his attitude is the best thing about him. He was a real leader in Philadelphia. He may have argued with the General Manager, but I have never seen anything "crybaby" like from him. I suppose you could argue the whole Nordiques thing was a bit "crybaby", but that was over a decade ago when he was a young kid.

I wouldn't sign him long-term, just because of his injury status, but he's definitely a great asset when he's on the ice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The situation he put philly in refusing to play because he wanted to play for a team that didn't want him (Toranto) wasn't much of a display of leadership. I can understandf his desire to play in a particular place but the way he went about it was less than exemplery

I do though see where you're coming from, in his earlier days as a flyer he was indeed a leader but he has diminshed...whether he can be that again remains to be seen...

[siwelwerd]

It's official

Quote

TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs signed unrestricted free agent Eric Lindros to a one-year contract Thursday.

The team didn't release terms of the deal but it was expected to include bonuses based on games played.

Citing undisclosed sources, TSN of Canada reported Wednesday that Lindros was on the verge of signing a contract with the team pending an MRI exam.