Playoffs 2000:Lindros will play for first time since March

Lindros will play for first time since March
Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Eric Lindros, sidelined by a series of concussions, skated in his first full team practice with the Philadelphia Flyers in more than two months Tuesday and was immediately cleared to play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.

Tuesday, May 23
I'm surprised how quickly the Flyers are re-inserting Eric Lindros into the lineup. One side of me says, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." The other side says he's so valuable just on the power play. It's just an extra weapon.

It's doubtful he'll play very much. He won't be the focal point of the game other than the media. The media circus is back, again. But the Flyers, as a team, seem to focus through anything. They've been wonderful with pulling together and staying focused. That will be challenged, but the Flyers have shown every ability to remain focused.

Every player on that team will be asked about Eric, instead of about themselves or about the series.

Lindros was one of the first players on the ice and participated in all team drills and announced afterward he was ready to play against the New Jersey Devils in a series the Flyers lead 3-2.

"I feel right now I can help out, and I'm looking forward to it," Lindros said. "Obviously, I'm not going to be playing 18, 20 or 25 minutes a game. It will be a much lighter role than that and just getting back into it."

Flyers coach Craig Ramsay said the decision to bring Lindros back was made among the coaches and the rest of the players and did not involve team management.

"We've talked about his role and what he can do," Ramsay said. "It's going to be a test for him, and it will be a more limited role than he's had in the past when he had full strength. But we feel it's a great addition to the club, and we're all very excited about it."

Before his latest concussion there was talk that Lindros would have to speak to his teammates prior to rejoining the lineup. He was stripped of the captaincy in March after criticizing club medical personnel and management . His captaincy was permanently transferred to Eric Desjardins.

"Eric has talked to some of the players, but we didn't make him stand up there and beg," Ramsay said.

"It would be a nice bonus if he can get back," forward Mark Recchi said before Lindros skated.

The Flyers lost 4-1 to New Jersey on Monday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals and had their lead in the best-of-seven series cut to 3-2.

Philadelphia can close out the Devils with a victory in Game 6 at Continental Airlines Arena.

Lindros suggested last week that one day of practice will not be enough to get him in game shape.

Lindros flew to Chicago on Monday to see concussion specialist Dr. James Kelly, who has been treating him and issuing workout guidelines.

The Flyers issued a statement during the first period of Monday night's game saying only that Lindros was examined by Kelly and cleared to participate in full team practices.

There has been speculation whether Lindros' return would be viewed as a positive or negative for the team that is one victory from the Stanley Cup finals.

"If he's ready to go, he's ready to go," forward Rick Tocchet said after Monday's game. "If Eric is ready to play and wants to play, how can that be a distraction?"

Lindros returned to the ice last Tuesday for the first time since sustaining his third concussion of the year earlier this month.

During his most recent workouts, Lindros was able to skate with another player and a goalie in non-contact drills.

Lindros suffered a concussion on March 4 from a check by Boston's Hal Gill.

Lindros' latest concussion came at practice on May 4. He needed 20 stitches in his lip after colliding with Francis Lessard of the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms during a drill.

"For him to come back will be a great help," defenseman Luke Richardson said. "It's a plus, but we had to put in our minds at the beginning of the playoffs that we weren't going to have him."