Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth
Some unique circumstances perhaps, but Eric Lindros, the so-called (or was it self-appointed?) "Next One" didn't quite live up to hype either.
Was Manon Rheaume actually considered to have a chance or was it just a publicity stunt?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PM770
It was Don Cherry who gave the best analysis of what happened to Lindros career.
He said that in juniors, Lindros got into the horrible habit of watching the puck onto his stick, but since he was so big when the other kids would line him up for a big hit they would just bounce off.
Lindros was never able to break the habit. In the NHL, those guys don't bounce off. And Scott Stevens will kill you.
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Lindros, considering the era he played in, and with a big target on his back, had remarkable numbers, imo, and it's no fluke he is in the HOF.
He missed how many games due to injury and still put up exceptional numbers?
His downfall was his reputation and people jumping on him for that.
Bobby Clarke was once asked his thoughts on Lindros, and he said, once you removed all the baggage, mostly from his Mother, who was referred to as the Bonster (her name was Bonnie) he was an incredible hockey player with elite skills.
Personally, if you watch hockeyfights.com, namely, Lindros', you will see how often he was targeted and how often he had to drop them. Imagine having to be looking over your shoulder at all times, having to drop the gloves way more frequently than most players and still put up numbers like this:
865 points in 760 career games, from a relatively young kid, in yesterdays style of hockey, is nothing to snicker at.
Scott Stevens, when asked about Lindros, hates talking about the hit that ended his career. Stevens got caught up in the hype, and also targeted Lindros and never missed an opportunity to hit him nor fight him.
In retrospect, he feels bad and wished he had of minded his own business and just played the game without that mental distraction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH4AILBsMTw
https://www.nhl.com/player/eric-lindros-8458515
https://www.thestar.com/sports/hocke...l-of-fame.html
One might think I'm biased because I never missed a home game when Lindros played for the Oshawa Generals, but ask most in the hockey world who have watched him or played with or against him and they'll tell you the same thing. He was determined, talented and highly skilled and brought to the game something that had never been seen before. He could not only handle his own, he could put the puck in the net as well.
https://www.nhl.com/news/eric-lindro...me/c-283567428
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHw0SHaRB1Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1CZSGZenbc