I had the privledge of watching Eric Lindros play live many times. For a man his size, he was an incredible skater. He flew around the ice, and there weren't many players who could skate better then he could in his prime. It was amazing to watch.
None of those players neutralized Lindros. Just wasn't possible in his heyday. Steven played him the best, but it was far from being neutralized.
- MJL

Whatever "it" is, he Eric had it.

Few players had/have that undefinable quality. Grezky, Lemieux, Orr... you just knew when they were on the ice you had to watch because something, anything spectacular could occur at any time.

Whether it was a board-bending hit, a lazar-like wrist shot, a feathered scoring pass, or the game winning breakaway goal against Chris Terrari and the Devils at his first Flyer home game, you knew you didn't want to miss it.

I had the privledge of watching Eric Lindros play live many times. For a man his size, he was an incredible skater. He flew around the ice, and there weren't many players who could skate better then he could in his prime. It was amazing to watch.
None of those players neutralized Lindros. Just wasn't possible in his heyday. Steven played him the best, but it was far from being neutralized.
- MJL

I watched Clarke and Lindros in person every home game and they have to be the 2 most passionate players in flyers history, I say yes to the HOF

So true. They would cycle for so long, you could see the other teams defenders simply run out of gas and inevitably a goal would be scored or penalty taken. I have never seen a line physically dominate the way the Legion of Doom did at their peak.
- BiggE

Lindros and Leclair would simply bull the puck to the front of the net with defenseman draped on thier back. Lindros would literally steamroll people over. And Renberg would get open in the slot with his dealy wrister.

And they could beat you on the rush also. Leclair had an overpowering slapshot. Lindros had an awesome one timer and slapshot of his own.

i think its a good thing they kept the conference very business like instead of the more open air meet-the-players thing from last year. keep the wolves (press) at bay

At 6 million? Chiarelli said they are talking extension. How many more yrs are they going to give him and at what cost? What does he bring that they don't have? They have strength and leadership pouring out their ears. They need scoring and how much is he going to bring for 6 mil per?

It's a head scratcher. It made sense as a rental last season but long term?
- mayorofangrytown

They haven't signed him long term yet so wait to blast them until then. For now I like the 1 yr singing (of course 6M is absurd unless they win the cup).

At 6 million? Chiarelli said they are talking extension. How many more yrs are they going to give him and at what cost? What does he bring that they don't have? They have strength and leadership pouring out their ears. They need scoring and how much is he going to bring for 6 mil per?

It's a head scratcher. It made sense as a rental last season but long term?
- mayorofangrytown

I agree. I can't explain it either, it was just an uninformed opinion.

Why long term? The contract is for 1 year, which may be long tern in Iginla's case.

i think its a good thing they kept the conference very business like instead of the more open air meet-the-players thing from last year. keep the wolves (press) at bay
- MrBigglesworth

It should have been like Bynums press conference. Fans cheering, every media member there!

It's sad when the high point of a deal is the introductory press conference.

Whatever "it" is, he Eric had it.

Few players had/have that undefinable quality. Grezky, Lemieux, Orr... you just knew when they were on the ice you had to watch because something, anything spectacular could occur at any time.

Whether it was a board-bending hit, a lazar-like wrist shot, a feathered scoring pass, or the game winning breakaway goal against Chris Terrari and the Devils at his first Flyer home game, you knew you didn't want to miss it.
- 77rams

When Lindros stepped over the boards on to the ice, you could hear the buzz in the crowd. You just knew something was going to happen. There's been a lot of great players in the NHL. But there's never been a player in the NHL like Lindros.

i forget the team but can visualize the game, the legion of doom scored like 6 goals in the first 10 minutes of the game, they were mutants

I cannot believe that Eric Lindros' physical play and skill sets are even being compared to Alex Ovechkin's skill. Ov flip flops and dives to draw calls when being man handled, let's get that out of the way. Ov does not drop the gloves. Ov isn't as physically built as Lindros ever was. Lindros could score just as well as he could make plays. Luke Schenn's hits remind me a lot more of Lindros' hits then Ov's. I wish I could think of a player who in today's game who could remotely be compared to Eric Lindros but their isn't one. Lindros has not been duplicated since leaving the game.

Lindros and Leclair would simply bull the puck to the front of the net with defenseman draped on thier back. Lindros would literally steamroll people over. And Renberg would get open in the slot with his dealy wrister.

And they could beat you on the rush also. Leclair had an overpowering slapshot. Lindros had an awesome one timer and slapshot of his own.
- MJL

Lindros and Leclair were beasts

The Flyers of the mid-1970s did NOT win championships because they fought so much and intimidated teams. They won because they almost never got outworked, and because they were better coached than most of their opponents.


Wisdom..As usual Bill...Excellent writing!

When Lindros stepped over the boards on to the ice, you could hear the buzz in the crowd. You just knew something was going to happen. There's been a lot of great players in the NHL. But there's never been a player in the NHL like Lindros.
- MJL

Clarke, Lindros, Parent, Hextall were my 4 favorite players of all time

When Lindros stepped over the boards on to the ice, you could hear the buzz in the crowd. You just knew something was going to happen. There's been a lot of great players in the NHL. But there's never been a player in the NHL like Lindros.
- MJL

Almost doesn't make sense that such a physical specimen couldn't stay healthy.

The one athlete I can think of who had that level of dominance was Bo Jackson. He unfortunately couldn't remain healthy either. I think their careers are very much comparable even though they played different sports.

And still, with this on top of multiple other signings that were either too long, or too much, or both (See: Clarkson, David), people still think Homer's a bad GM
- JAKEw1234

You'd think we had a lockout for a reason.

When Lindros stepped over the boards on to the ice, you could hear the buzz in the crowd. You just knew something was going to happen. There's been a lot of great players in the NHL. But there's never been a player in the NHL like Lindros.
- MJL

I got to the point where I almost expected that line to score (or have a really good chance to score) every shift they took.

"I have never seen such a big, physical player who also had so much skill and finesse."

Ovechkin is almost as big, skates better, is more skilled, about as physical, just doesn't fight as much as 88 did.

That said, Lindros > Neely and Bure
- phillydentist

Almost doesn't make sense that such a physical specimen couldn't stay healthy.

The one athlete I can think of who had that level of dominance was Bo Jackson. He unfortunately couldn't remain healthy either. I think their careers are very much comparable even though they played different sports.
- PLindbergh31

I think Lebron is in that class too. He's the most physically gifted basketball player I've ever seen. He's a doosh, but still a ridiculous physical specimen.

I got to the point where I almost expected that line to score (or have a really good chance to score) every shift they took.
- Marc D

the legion line and the LCB lines were pretty much dominate

I'm really curious about which sport John Smallwood covers. He doesn't seem to know anything about any of the teams except the Union.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not sure if Smallwood ever covered a beat in Philly, but I do know he's a columnist and has written a book about Allen Iverson (link: http://www.amazon.com/All...Fear-no-One/dp/0743445902).

I think Lebron is in that class too. He's the most physically gifted basketball player I've ever seen. He's a doosh, but still a ridiculous physical specimen.
- PhillySportsGuy

he is actually a nice guy and a big hockey fan

Lindros and Leclair would simply bull the puck to the front of the net with defenseman draped on thier back. Lindros would literally steamroll people over. And Renberg would get open in the slot with his dealy wrister.

And they could beat you on the rush also. Leclair had an overpowering slapshot. Lindros had an awesome one timer and slapshot of his own.
- MJL

Giroux and Lindros are clearly two different players. Size and style of play cannot be compared. However, that area where Giroux goes to work on the pp. We'll remember Giroux for passing in that spot but man, that slap shot Lindros had was unreal. Then that smile and how far into the air Lindros could reach when celebrating one of his goals.

You'd think we had a lockout for a reason.
- mayorofangrytown

We had a reason.

Damned if I can figure out what it was, though.

he is actually a nice guy and a big hockey fan
- vejim

How do you know?

I think Lebron is in that class too. He's the most physically gifted basketball player I've ever seen. He's a doosh, but still a ridiculous physical specimen.
- PhillySportsGuy

Difference being Lebron never misses a game. That's a huge difference. Part of being great is staying on the playing field.