Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/18/18 vs. TOR (Eric Lindros Jersey Retirement Night)

Big E night!! Guy was unbelievable. The reason why I fell in love with the flyers

Big E night!! Guy was unbelievable. The reason why I fell in love with the flyers
- Just5

He wasn't that great otherwise his rookie cards wouldn't be worth 20 times less now than they were back when he was a rookie.

Hypothetical question. How would Lindros do in today's NHL? No obstruction, no head shots... it makes you wonder.... Would he be considered the best player?

Hypothetical question. How would Lindros do in today's NHL? No obstruction, no head shots... it makes you wonder.... Would he be considered the best player?
- youarewrong

Brian Smith and I discussed that on the last FlyerBuzz podcast on Flyers Radio 24/7. Personally, I think he'd have done about the same.

You mentioned some of the factors that would help him. On the flip side, he couldn't play nearly as much on the edge with his own physical game, there are a lot of guys nowadays with that size+mobility combo (so he'd be in fewer mismatches) and the game is ever-more structured than even during his post-1995 years.

He'd still be a dominant player, but I don't think he'd necessarily have put up even bigger numbers.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

He wasn't that great otherwise his rookie cards wouldn't be worth 20 times less now than they were back when he was a rookie.
- Confidenceking77

Oh I forgot about the cards!

Post

Hypothetical question. How would Lindros do in today's NHL? No obstruction, no head shots... it makes you wonder.... Would he be considered the best player?
- youarewrong

Right...because cards of Yzerman, Fedorov, Sakic and rest of the superstars from the 90s are all worth so much. It's because there was a ridiculous amount of overproduction in the 90s on every collectible. Everything from sports cards to Barbie dolls...if it was made in the 90s, it's worth about as much as a poopie flavored lollipop!

Big E night!! Guy was unbelievable. The reason why I fell in love with the flyers
- Just5

awesome player. probably one of my favorite all time non-rangers. a very deserved honor for #88

Damn the ceremony is an hour long???!!??

It would take me a few pages to accurately portray just what Lindros has meant to me as a Flyer fan. When I was 10, I was a Phillies fan, and no other sport mattered. I mean, I played street hockey, tossed a football around, and shot hoops, but I never cared for the other Philly teams, Then I heard that the Flyers, that lousy hockey club, traded for some "Lindros" guy. Opening night 1992, my parents turned on the game and I sat down to watch. I instantly became a huge hockey fan, and Lindros was by far my favorite player.

No other player could dominate a game with the variety of ways he could. When he wanted to, it seemed like he could will himself to a goal, and when he was riled up, every player knew to keep their head on a swivel, not that it would help. He was a better playmaker than a finisher, but had probably the best snap shot I've ever seen, and his release was amazingly quick. He could literally take over a game single-handedly, something that I've only ever seen equalled by Mario Lemieux.

Then the feud happened, then 2000 Game 7, and even as a 16-year-old, my world felt absolutely crushed in 2000. I never shed a tear over it, but it felt like part of me died the day he was traded. I understood the reasons for the trade, but I still hated it. It didn't matter where he was traded to, just knowing that he was done as a Flyer felt like part of me was missing.

Fast forward to the 2012 alumni game, the first time he would step onto the ice in a Flyers jersey in 12 years. No way would I have ever missed that. When his name was announced, I almost cried knowing that he was back with the organization as a proud alumni member. And when he made that pass to LeClair for the first goal just like it was 1995 again, I absolutely cried in joy as I celebrated, only the 2nd time I've ever cried at a game (2010 ECF Game 5). Seeing the LOD reunited in Toronto 2 Novembers ago, and seeing him score the shootout winner at the game was the highlight of my trip.

Now that I've bored you all to tears, I just want to say that he is my all-time favorite player, and nothing in this world keep me from seeing him have his number immortalized by my favorite team of all time. This may mark time #3 that I cry at a game.

Right...because cards of Yzerman, Fedorov, Sakic and rest of the superstars from the 90s are all worth so much. It's because there was a ridiculous amount of overproduction in the 90s on every collectible. Everything from sports cards to Barbie dolls...if it was made in the 90s, it's worth about as much as a poopie flavored lollipop!
- aantny88

The 90/91 OPC Premier Jagr, Roenick, and Mogilny cards were going for about $40-$50, and the Upper Deck French rookies Fedorov and Bure were $25-$40 back in the early 90s. Now you can have them for $2-$3, if that much. There are very, VERY few cards from 90/91-99/00 that have any real value. No doubt the Lindros Score rookie dropped like crazy, but it's still an iconic card in hockey card history, and while it's no longer a $30 card, I still am the proud owner of both versions.

@ Jmatch

Good story! It's memories/feelings like that as to why we all love sports!

Damn the ceremony is an hour long???!!??
- jak521

No, only about 15-20 mins. But they will probably do warmups and resurface the ice after the ceremony rather than do warmups ahead of the ceremony, have the players wait around through the ceremony and then start the game. So it's basically like on of those 8 PM games with opening faceoff about 5 to 10 mins after the hour (ala Wed Night Rivalry stuff) but with a 7 PM ceremony.

Congrats to the original Big E on his well deserved honor! I'm glad he's in a good place, healthy and happy.

It would take me a few pages to accurately portray just what Lindros has meant to me as a Flyer fan. When I was 10, I was a Phillies fan, and no other sport mattered. I mean, I played street hockey, tossed a football around, and shot hoops, but I never cared for the other Philly teams, Then I heard that the Flyers, that lousy hockey club, traded for some "Lindros" guy. Opening night 1992, my parents turned on the game and I sat down to watch. I instantly became a huge hockey fan, and Lindros was by far my favorite player.

No other player could dominate a game with the variety of ways he could. When he wanted to, it seemed like he could will himself to a goal, and when he was riled up, every player knew to keep their head on a swivel, not that it would help. He was a better playmaker than a finisher, but had probably the best snap shot I've ever seen, and his release was amazingly quick. He could literally take over a game single-handedly, something that I've only ever seen equalled by Mario Lemieux.

Then the feud happened, then 2000 Game 7, and even as a 16-year-old, my world felt absolutely crushed in 2000. I never shed a tear over it, but it felt like part of me died the day he was traded. I understood the reasons for the trade, but I still hated it. It didn't matter where he was traded to, just knowing that he was done as a Flyer felt like part of me was missing.

Fast forward to the 2012 alumni game, the first time he would step onto the ice in a Flyers jersey in 12 years. No way would I have ever missed that. When his name was announced, I almost cried knowing that he was back with the organization as a proud alumni member. And when he made that pass to LeClair for the first goal just like it was 1995 again, I absolutely cried in joy as I celebrated, only the 2nd time I've ever cried at a game (2010 ECF Game 5). Seeing the LOD reunited in Toronto 2 Novembers ago, and seeing him score the shootout winner at the game was the highlight of my trip.

Now that I've bored you all to tears, I just want to say that he is my all-time favorite player, and nothing in this world keep me from seeing him have his number immortalized by my favorite team of all time. This may mark time #3 that I cry at a game.
- jmatchett383

Awesome.


I'm sure a lot of Flyers fans made fans by Lindros have a similar story. They could do a Lifetime movie on it!

On an unrelated note, Jay Greenberg's blog could use some love. Such an incredible writer still to this day.

Big E night!! Guy was unbelievable. The reason why I fell in love with the flyers
- Just5

Congrats Eric. You're my second fave all time flyer and one of the best players I ever saw live. Class act, well spoken and what I loved the most is that you could tell how much he cared. When he received the hart, you could tell he really wanted to bring us a championship. I'm happy he's healthy and enjoying retirement now. Cheers big e.

asdf

Brian Smith and I discussed that on the last FlyerBuzz podcast on Flyers Radio 24/7. Personally, I think he'd have done about the same.

You mentioned some of the factors that would help him. On the flip side, he couldn't play nearly as much on the edge with his own physical game, there are a lot of guys nowadays with that size+mobility combo (so he'd be in fewer mismatches) and the game is ever-more structured than even during his post-1995 years.

He'd still be a dominant player, but I don't think he'd necessarily have put up even bigger numbers.
- bmeltzer

What I'd offer is that most likely he wouldn't have been injured as much. Probably the same ppg but more games. I mean they used to water ski off him. Look at that panthers series in 96.

It would take me a few pages to accurately portray just what Lindros has meant to me as a Flyer fan. When I was 10, I was a Phillies fan, and no other sport mattered. I mean, I played street hockey, tossed a football around, and shot hoops, but I never cared for the other Philly teams, Then I heard that the Flyers, that lousy hockey club, traded for some "Lindros" guy. Opening night 1992, my parents turned on the game and I sat down to watch. I instantly became a huge hockey fan, and Lindros was by far my favorite player.

No other player could dominate a game with the variety of ways he could. When he wanted to, it seemed like he could will himself to a goal, and when he was riled up, every player knew to keep their head on a swivel, not that it would help. He was a better playmaker than a finisher, but had probably the best snap shot I've ever seen, and his release was amazingly quick. He could literally take over a game single-handedly, something that I've only ever seen equalled by Mario Lemieux.

Then the feud happened, then 2000 Game 7, and even as a 16-year-old, my world felt absolutely crushed in 2000. I never shed a tear over it, but it felt like part of me died the day he was traded. I understood the reasons for the trade, but I still hated it. It didn't matter where he was traded to, just knowing that he was done as a Flyer felt like part of me was missing.

Fast forward to the 2012 alumni game, the first time he would step onto the ice in a Flyers jersey in 12 years. No way would I have ever missed that. When his name was announced, I almost cried knowing that he was back with the organization as a proud alumni member. And when he made that pass to LeClair for the first goal just like it was 1995 again, I absolutely cried in joy as I celebrated, only the 2nd time I've ever cried at a game (2010 ECF Game 5). Seeing the LOD reunited in Toronto 2 Novembers ago, and seeing him score the shootout winner at the game was the highlight of my trip.

Now that I've bored you all to tears, I just want to say that he is my all-time favorite player, and nothing in this world keep me from seeing him have his number immortalized by my favorite team of all time. This may mark time #3 that I cry at a game.
- jmatchett383

Great post. When he was announced for the 2012 alumni game my eyes def watered as they prob will tonight. I'll be wearing My autographed lindros jersey tonight and I'll enjoy every bit of this cathartic evening.

The 90/91 OPC Premier Jagr, Roenick, and Mogilny cards were going for about $40-$50, and the Upper Deck French rookies Fedorov and Bure were $25-$40 back in the early 90s. Now you can have them for $2-$3, if that much. There are very, VERY few cards from 90/91-99/00 that have any real value. No doubt the Lindros Score rookie dropped like crazy, but it's still an iconic card in hockey card history, and while it's no longer a $30 card, I still am the proud owner of both versions.


- jmatchett383

I have all of those cards you mention...as a kid I treated them like they were gold because I thought they might be worth something someday. I have this Gretzky hologram card too, which at the time I was hoping would be special...it's not. I have so many Lindros rookie cards and others I collected along the way and even though they aren't worth much, I'll keep them forever, as he was my favorite player. So happy he's receiving the highest honor the Flyers can bestow upon a player and I couldn't be more thankful to my wife for getting tickets to the game tonight so I can witness it in person!

Great post. When he was announced for the 2012 alumni game my eyes def watered as they prob will tonight. I'll be wearing My autographed lindros jersey tonight and I'll enjoy every bit of this cathartic evening.
- Hextall271

Speaking of jerseys, there is a children's clothing consignment shop in South Jersey that my wife and I frequent. I was there one day when my daughter was 2, and they had a size 4T authentic, pro stitched white Lindros jersey, something that probably cost $100 that a kid could only wear for a year. For some reason, I didn't get it (it was only $15). I told my wife, and she asked why I didn't get it and keep it until my daughter was 4, so I went back. It only took me 30-40 minutes, but it was gone when I got back. Still kicking myself on that one.

I have all of those cards you mention...as a kid I treated them like they were gold because I thought they might be worth something someday. I have this Gretzky hologram card too, which at the time I was hoping would be special...it's not. I have so many Lindros rookie cards and others I collected along the way and even though they aren't worth much, I'll keep them forever, as he was my favorite player. So happy he's receiving the highest honor the Flyers can bestow upon a player and I couldn't be more thankful to my wife for getting tickets to the game tonight so I can witness it in person!
- aantny88

Is that the Art Ross and Lady Byng hologram from the UD Czech set, or the regular 91/92 Upper Deck hologram? Is it sad that I'm fairly certain I know what you're talking about? My dad and I were pretty hardcore into collecting (I have every non-insert card of Gretzky and Lemieux ever made, including multiple OPC RCs of both), but most of it has more nostalgic value that monetary value.

By the way, In The Game put out a set a few years back called Broad Street Boys, it's an all-Flyers product. The most sought-after card, you ask? The super short-printed Braydon Coburn auto.