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Eric Lindros Trade: The Deal That Turned the Tables

4 October 2024
NHL TradesPlayer Stories


© Bildbyrån

Few players in NHL history have inspired as much awe and debate as Eric Lindros. Standing at 6-foot-4 with a unique combination of size, strength, and skill, Lindros was seen as a generational talent destined for greatness. From the dramatic Eric Lindros trade to a career filled with brilliance and adversity, his story is one of immense potential, complicated by injury and circumstance.

Eric Lindros Pre-Draft: "The Next One"

Before his name became synonymous with one of the biggest trades in NHL history, Eric Lindros was already a towering figure in the hockey world. From an early age, his blend of size, speed, and skill set him apart from his peers, earning him the nickname “The Next One,” a reference to his potential to follow in the footsteps of Wayne Gretzky. Lindros dominated at every level, from his junior career with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL, where he led the team to a Memorial Cup victory in 1990, to representing Canada on the international stage as a teenager. By the time the 1991 NHL Draft approached, Lindros was regarded as a generational talent, a rare player who could single-handedly change the fate of a franchise. But as the spotlight on him grew, so did the controversy that would surround his NHL entry, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic moments in hockey history.

Draft Day Drama

In 1991, Eric Lindros was the clear first overall pick, but when the Quebec Nordiques selected him, he immediately refused to put on the jersey. Lindros had been vocal about his unwillingness to play for Quebec, citing concerns about the team’s poor management and his desire to join an English-speaking market. Despite being drafted, Lindros continued playing junior hockey, leaving Quebec with no choice but to explore trade options.

The Eric Lindros Trade: Full Breakdown

The trade negotiations resulted in one of the most controversial moments in NHL history. The Nordiques made agreements with both the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers, leading to a dispute that required arbitration. In the end, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the Flyers, but the price was steep.

In exchange for Lindros, Quebec received:

This trade reshaped both franchises. Lindros became the centerpiece in Philadelphia, while the Nordiques, later relocating as the Colorado Avalanche, used these assets to build a team that would win two Stanley Cups.


© Bildbyrån - Peter Forsberg in 1996

A Dominant Force in the NHL After the Eric Lindros Trade

Lindros quickly made an impact in Philadelphia. His unique combination of power, skill, and physicality redefined the role of the power forward in the NHL. In 1995, he won the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. By 1997, he had led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final, though they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. At his peak, Lindros was a dominant force, capable of controlling the game on both ends of the ice.

However, his aggressive style made him vulnerable to injuries, especially concussions, which would come to overshadow his career.

The Scott Stevens Hit on Eric Lindros: A Career-Changing Moment

In the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals, Lindros' career trajectory took a devastating turn. Returning from multiple concussions, he entered the offensive zone in Game 7 against the New Jersey Devils. Waiting for him was Devils captain Scott Stevens, who delivered a crushing hit that became one of the most infamous moments in hockey history.

The hit not only left Lindros motionless on the ice but also marked a pivotal moment in his career. Lindros never played for the Flyers again after that, as the hit aggravated his previous concussions. His relationship with the Flyers' management, already strained over how his injuries were handled, deteriorated further, and he sat out the entire 2000–01 season.

The "What Ifs" of the Eric Lindros Trade

Though Lindros later played for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Dallas Stars, he was never quite the same player after the Scott Stevens hit. Despite finishing his career with 865 points in 760 games, there remains a sense of "what if." What if Lindros had stayed healthy? Could he have led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup? Could he have gone down as one of the greatest players in NHL history?

Lindros' legacy is a blend of brilliance and unfulfilled potential, a reminder of how quickly a career can change.

Eric Lindros' Lasting Legacy

In 2016, Eric Lindros was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats. Two years later, in 2018, the Flyers retired his No. 88 jersey in recognition of his impact on the team and the game.

While the Scott Stevens hit and the injuries that followed will always define part of his career, his influence on hockey is undeniable. Lindros remains one of the most captivating players in NHL history, with the Eric Lindros trade standing as one of the league's most consequential moves.