Eric Lindros Won’t Return To Toronto, To Sign With Dallas
Posted July 16, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Eric Lindros’ stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs was as short as it was disappointing.
The power forward ended an unspectacular stint with the Buds Sunday, when reports surfaced he was set to sign a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars.
“It’s in the final stages of being finalized,” said a team official.
An actual announcement is expected Monday.
In 2005-06, his only season with his hometown Leafs, Lindros had 11 goals and 11 assists, but was limited to 33 games after injuring his wrist against the Stars.
Injuries are the story of Lindros’ career.
The former first overall pick has missed at least 10 games in 11 of his 12 NHL seasons.
Concussions have been the biggest concern, and the 33-year-old sat out the entire 2000-01 campaign after getting leveled by New Jersey’s Scott Stevens during a playoff game the season before.
In total, Lindros has sustained eight concussions and played an average of just 59 games a season. Issues with front office staff, including refusing to play for the Quebec Nordiques who drafted him and butting heads with Philadelphia Flyers general manager Bob Clarke, have also marred his time in the NHL.
And now the window’s closing on Lindros, who at 6’4″, 240 pounds could still be an asset for the Stars, assuming of course he can stay healthy.
In 711 NHL games, Lindros has 367 goals and 472 assists. He was the NHL MVP in 1995 and followed up the next season with a career-best 115 points for the Flyers.
