It took Eric Lindros seven times before finally getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and 11 years after he retired from the NHL, Lindros finally saw his No.88 lifted to the rafters at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Even though “The Big E” only spent eight seasons and ended on rough terms in the city of brotherly love, he made a lasting impact on the city with his unique combination of speed, strength and skill all while playing a physically dominating style that isn’t very common in today’s game.
From the 1992-2000 season, the product of London, Ontario averaged 1.35 points per game centering the “Legion of Dome” line with John LeClair and Mikael Renberg. The 1995 winner of the Hart Trophy recorded 70 points in only 46 games because of the lockout shortened season, and would go on to finish with three seasons in Philly where he recorded 90 points or more. During the1995-96 campaign, Lindros recorded 47 goals and 68 assists for 115 points in 73 games for a 1.35 point per game, the highest in Flyers history.
Lindros and the Flyers went on to make the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals where they were swept by the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings. The power forward’s rugged style of play terrorized the NHL during his time in Philly before injuries caught up to him, ultimately leading to a messy departure. Lindros was infamously hit by Scott Stevens in the 2000 playoffs that left Lindros unconscious on the ice, and forced him to sit out the entire 2000-01 season with post-concussion syndrome.
Lindros and then Flyers GM Bobby Clarke had their differences and ultimatly a fall out, and in August 2001, Lindros was sent to broadway after 486 regular season and 53 playoff games wearing the orange and black.
17 years later after leaving Philly, Lindros returned to the city where it all started, and joined the likes of Bernie Parent (1), Mark Howe (2), Barry Ashbee (4), Bill Barber (7) and Clarke (16) as the only Flyers in franchise history to see their number retired into the rafters.
The former Oshawa General was selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques, but refused to report to Quebec City. He was to the Flyers for Chris Simon, Mike Ricci, Kerry Huffman, Ron Hextall, Peter Forsberg, Steve Duchesne, a 1st round pick in both the 1993 and 1994 drafts, future considerations and cash in what was one of the biggest hockey trades in the history of the game.
Lindros spent three seasons in the Big Apple before spending one season each with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars. In his 13 seasons in the NHL, Lindros averaged only 59.5 games per season. Excluding the lockout year, Lindros never suited up for a full 82 game season because of injuries.
A six-time all-star, the 44-year-old won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In 2012, Lindros made an appearance at the outdoor alumni game in Philly, which is reportedly where Lindros began to patch things up and restore his relationship with the Flyers. Clarke advocated hard for Lindros while being a part of the Hall of Fame selection committee before his introduction.
(h/t NHL on NBC)
