Rangers make Lindros an UFA?

[Jim Bob]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/story/10570061047171.shtml?sport=hockey&association=nhl&STORY_OID=10570061047171

Sportsnet has learned the New York Rangers have declined the option on forward Eric Lindros, thus, making him an unrestricted free agent.

[itslonganditsgood]

I wonder what kind of contract a team will offer him.

[LALAFONTAINE]

I wouldn't mind taking a shot at signing him to a low base high incentive contract, where incentives are based on performance, not games played. Does it fit in the Sabres budget? Depends whether incentives count towards the $30M.

[starfirestar]

I think to an extent it would fit in the Sabres budget. As long as the Sabres wouldn't give him all of those incentives he had with the Rangers. Personally, I would stay away from Lindros, as he is a coach killer and a locker room cancer. If he would come affordable I would do it.

[itslonganditsgood]

For some strange reason I feel that the past few years of Eric Lindros' hockey career have humbled him. I don't think he is the cry baby he once was. I think he can be a team player and might actually take a contract that isn't exactly going to kill a team's payroll.

[D-Rocafella]

I would love to have him on my team.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Lindros' rep as a coach killer and locker-room cancer came from his time in Philadelphia. I think Primeau has more of a rep as a coach killer.

Lindros had nothing to do with Dineen, Simpson, Cashman, Neilson, Ramsay,Barber or Trottier getting fired. The rumor has Lindros getting Murray canned. But Lindros was apparently among several players requesting such a move. But Terry Murray blames a Philly reporter for it, not Lindros.

Philly's been a circus the past few years. I would have been happy with Cechmanek too. I think the accusations made against Lindros in Philly can be taken with a grain of salt. His parents are another story.

[starfirestar]

Then lets sign Eric Lindros!!! LOL!!! Marchant and Lindros would please the fans here in Buffalo.

[bernsy74]

This is the guy who would only report to Oshawa in Juniors, would not report to Quebec if drafted and would only except a trade to a shortlist of teams when Philly tried to deal him.

Unless his total commitment was to the Sabres, I wouldn't touch him.

[Thumper]

Originally posted by D-Rocafella
I would love to have him on my team.

LALA: This should tell you something.

[Thumper]

Lindros is one hit away from retirement which means he's going to stay out of dangerous area's of the ice surface. A lot of times, those are the spots you score from. He's always been a choker, and a terrible leader, and has never lived up to his potential. Jeez....The Av's are still a powerhouse because of how overrated he was.

I see this turning into a Housley type argument....But with the tables turned.

His point totals are very impressive, but as you pointed out with Housley, there are other aspects of the game that need to be considered.

He has never been known to be a team player. He has been a questionable leader, having the C stripped from his sweater in favor of Desjardins. Lindros, like Housley, has not won anything.

He earned the nickname "Captain Choke" in recent playoff series' against the Sabres.

Is he an upgrade compaired to what we've got? Probably in scoring, but not as the total package. I'd rather have Briere on this team than Lindros.

And the fans of Buffalo freaking hate him.

[Forum21]

Though I don't think he's a good fit for Buffalo, give this guy some wingers and he can still play. I didn't follow his play much last year, but the year before he made that FLY line in NY look pretty good.

[Jim Bob]

He's always been a choker

How can a guy who has 57 points in 50 career playoff games be considered a choker?

And what has Philly done in the 3 years without Lindros?

I would be concerned about his trying to stay healthy has seemed to make his production lag, but last year was the 1st year in his career that he didn't average over a point per game.

I think he'll surprise a lot of people next year if he gets out of NY.

[two4trippn]

He'd be a great fit in Buffalo but I seriously doubt we'd have the guts to chance his salary ($3.3mil) if putting in a waiver claim.

[pigskin]

Why does everyone bring up the "he is one hit from retirement" argument when it comes to players. Every player is one hit away from retirement.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Originally posted by Thumper
LALA: This should tell you something.

True, but he would want Forsberg on his team.

If Lindros plays like he did with the Rangers, I don't want him.

However, in terms of raw talent, he's got more than anyone in the league, except Lemieux. If he plays like he did in Philly, I would want him.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Originally posted by Thumper
Lindros is one hit away from retirement which means he's going to stay out of dangerous area's of the ice surface. A lot of times, those are the spots you score from. He's always been a choker, and a terrible leader, and has never lived up to his potential. Jeez....The Av's are still a powerhouse because of how overrated he was.

I see this turning into a Housley type argument....But with the tables turned.

His point totals are very impressive, but as you pointed out with Housley, there are other aspects of the game that need to be considered.

He has never been known to be a team player. He has been a questionable leader, having the C stripped from his sweater in favor of Desjardins. Lindros, like Housley, has not won anything.

He earned the nickname "Captain Choke" in recent playoff series' against the Sabres.

Is he an upgrade compaired to what we've got? Probably in scoring, but not as the total package. I'd rather have Briere on this team than Lindros.

And the fans of Buffalo freaking hate him.

His captaincy was stripped by Bobby Clarke in hockey's equivalent of the Bronx Zoo. There are two Sabres to compare him to, that also had their captaincy stripped: Schoenfeld and Ruff.

As far as playoff production goes, Lindros did lead the Flyers to the Cup finals in 1996/7 - not bad when Snow and Hextall are between the pipes. He has 57 pts in 50 games. To compare, Leclair has 85 pts in 136 games. Plus, Michael Peca has the ability to shutdown someone in the playoffs.

The point about him not entering the middle of the ice is certainly valid. I'm not saying we sign him to any contract except one that is based on performance. If he gets injured or doesn't perform, we don't pay.

Based on how he played last year, I would prefer Briere too. If he plays like he did in Philly (average year: 61 36 46 82, with a strike season in there - healthier than Daze), I would prefer Lindros to anyone on our roster.