| | | Last Friday on the 6 p.m. SportsCenter, I introduced clips of an interview with Eric Lindros. Ninety minutes earlier, I had listened to the whole interview. Lindros, who had called ESPN days before and said he was ready to talk, talked a lot but did not say much. Certainly not "I'm traded" or "I'm sorry," which is what I wanted to hear.
|  | | Eric Lindros could never live up to Flyers' legends on the ice. |
Like many Flyers fans, I've gotten over the disappointment of the Lindros situation. But, I do wonder if Lindros and Philadelphia general manager Bob Clarke are disappointed in themselves? Or do they really think the other is 100 percent to blame?
In June 1992, when the Flyers were awarded the rights to the 19-year-old phenom, I imagined many things for Philadelphia. I never dreamed, however, that Lindros would not bring another Stanley Cup to Philadelphia, and would tarnish my memory of the Stanley Cups already won.
Bobby Clarke holding the Cup in '74 or '75 was the first sports image burned in my memory. I was around 6, and I liked everything my older brother, Dan, liked. Sports were our thing. We played, watched and learned all we could.
Clarke's toothless grin and boyish wink were fun and a bit cocky. So was the Dupont Stomp. And we had Kate Smith singing "God Bless America." I remember the LCB line, but truth is, the nicknames were cooler. We cheered for The Hammer, The Hound and Moose. Clarke was the MVP of the spirited show. The Broad Street Bullies taught me
how much fun sports can be, especially when the home team wins.
As good Philadelphians do, Dan and I love to judge almost as much as we love to win. We talked about the Clarke-Lindros mudfight a few weeks back. We digressed to the glory days. Dan reminded me how the Flyers won those Cups.
The Clarke of the '70s was not a smiling saint among thieves. He was an instigator and, dare I say, a cheap-shot artist. He could afford to be with the gang of thugs paid to watch his back. I couldn't help but make the analogy.
|  | | Bobby Clarke carries off the Flyers' second consecutive Stanley Cup in 1975. |
What we're watching today is Clarke in a fight without Dave Schultz to finish the job. If Bob Clarke the GM smiles and winks, I know he's pulling a fast one. As I see it, Clarke is as much to blame as the Lindros family for the standoff and bitterness.
Lindros was a bust, and, no, I'm not being too critical. When a franchise gives up six players including Peter Forsberg, two No. 1 draft picks and $15 million (a healthy ransom demand by 1992 NHL dollars) for a star, that star
had better get Lord Stanley. When Mario Lemieux whispers in Lindros' ear that it's his turn, he better take it. Lindros didn't, couldn't ... whatever.
Clarke, though, was a hero. He was everything Lindros was supposed to be someday. During Clarke's early dust-ups with camp Lindros, Clarke had the entire city's benefit of the doubt. He was on a pedestal for life until he lowered himself. The Broad Street Bully fought the only way he knew how ... Clarke got dirty.
He no doubt wonders how Lindros' was a manchild at 19 and yet a baby at 27. Clarke, like all of us, saw a physical marvel in Lindros. But unlike the rest of us, he refused to recognize the frailty of his star. He publicly questioned Lindros' maturity, commitment, leadership and courage.
With each jab and sucker punch, fans became more uncomfortable with Clarke, too. Stripping Lindros of his captaincy was cheap. Rolling his eyes at yet another fracture to Lindros' brain was stupid. Clarke looked more and more like a bitter, old veteran. He seemed to resent the money, popularity and power that young players possessed ... and none moreso than No. 88.
I can imagine every conversation with Clarke began "Back in '74, when we didn't wear helmets and had summer jobs ..."
Clarke's summer job in year 2001 is simple, trade Lindros. He's vowed never to play again for the Flyers. Clarke says he doesn't care if Lindros ever plays again for anyone. Europe might be Lindros' only choice for competitive play this winter. And that would just delay the inevitable -- Lindros would still be Philly's problem.
|  | | Eric Lindros hasn't played an NHL game since May 2000. |
At last year's trading deadline, Lindros thought he had a new team. He had softened his Toronto-only demand and had convinced himself St. Louis was it.
Only it wasn't.
Lindros gave interviews on that disappointing day. He sounded thoroughly beaten. A broken man, and it was hard not to feel sorry for him. Lindros will never collect the Hart Trophies or Stanley Cups once earmarked for him.
The Jaromir Jagr trade to Washington gave Clarke leverage. Lindros has
given Clarke additional teams to consider. And his signing of Jeremy Roenick also puts time on Clarke's side. Clarke will get quality young players, or a puck-moving defenseman in return for Lindros.
However, when the Lindros situation is resolved, it will not be a victory for the Flyers because while Lindros will never be what Clarke was, neither will Clarke for that matter.
Judging by how this tit-for-tat verbal war has raged on, it's now Clarke's turn to talk. I hope he announces a trade, and I hope he says that Lindros was his final dirty fight.
Flyers chairman Ed Snider says he can't wait to get rid of Lindros but wants something in return. I wonder what Mr. Snider thinks is a fair return. After all is said and done, this Lindros deal will have cost his franchise a star ... and a hero.
SportsCenter anchor Chris McKendry is a regular columnist for Page 2. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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