by Gary Pino
Whether it is the Philadelphia Enquirer or the New York Post, the headlines seem to say the same things; can Eric Lindros make it through a season without a concussion? Did his collapsed lung or bad knees affect his play when he resumed his career with the Rangers last season? Eric suffered a mild concussion last year in San Jose playing the style of hockey that helped him win the Hart trophy in 1995. The same style of play he will have to abandon, in order to make it through the season in one piece.
Last season Lindros was a top-10 player in the league and led the Rangers in almost every category. When he is healthy he can dominate a game, and last season, statistically his numbers were great, but it was the supporting cast that tarnished his efforts. Being a number one center on a weak team, Lindros always saw the opposition’s top lines because of the lack of respect the other teams had for the other Ranger centermen, and in particular Petr Nedved. This season it’s going to be very different with Bobby Holik on the Rangers. Holik can punish guys in front of the net and take the weight of the world off of Lindros. As far as his health issues, fans and the media have to remember the Rangers and Eric’s family took serious steps to make sure Eric’s health was in their best interest by sending Lindros thru a battery of tests before he even put on a Ranger sweater! Before Lindros was acquired from Philly last year, Lindros had the maximum recovery period of a full year out of action and medically should offer sufficient recovery time even in the most severe of concussion cases.
Lindros was flown from Toronto to Chicago before his contract was made official, and was examined by neuro-specialist Dr. James Kelly. He then flew to New York and underwent a battery of tests by Rangers doctors for a full day. If this was not enough he then was asked to add to his frequent Flyer miles by being flown to Montreal to be tested by Dr. Karen Johnson, one of the best neurologists in the world, and underwent a series of tests for 5 hours and passed with flying colors. You cannot say the Rangers didn’t make sure he wasn’t damaged goods, and if there was even an hint Lindros would be wheel chair bound with one good thump, I’d suspect some medical licenses would be revoked very quickly, along with serious lawsuits by the Lindros family.
Watching tapes of Lindros in Philly, he always skated with his head down and seemed never to fear the fact he may get nailed! With Eric standing at 6-4 and the league average in height is 6-1 6-2, every time Lindros is on the ice his chin is equal to most players tops of their helmets! It’s a fact! Though it may be good to be a tall hulking player, his height may actually be his Achilles heel What can be done about this? Really what he did last season, he got his elbows up every time he was in traffic and skated with his head up most of the time. Eric will get better each season with learning defensive positions to better protect himself!
Who knows, with Mark Messier’s retirement looming on the horizon, Lindros may well be the teams new Captain come 2003.