AM I alone in believing that all of the people who are advocating, if not essentially demanding, that Eric Lindros resume the reckless physical approach he has adopted since the beginning of the exhibition season, are out of their minds and should have their heads examined?
Furthermore, is it just me who believes the concept, spread as common wisdom, that Lindros can win the affection of the fans only by playing wrecking-ball hockey is as absolutely absurd as the one being advanced that upon his return No. 88 can either choose to risk injury by indiscriminately throwing his body around or instead choose to be an ineffective perimeter player, but nothing in between?
It’s certifiable, really it is, for people to demand that Lindros be what he was 10 years ago, before the concussions and enforced absences from the game. For in addition to Lindros’ altered state, hockey’s environment has also radically changed. It is not possible for Lindros to intimidate the way he did once upon a time, not when intimidation has essentially been legislated out of the game. Beyond that, anyone watching the Rangers should know that Lindros is under intense scrutiny from the league’s on-ice officials, who routinely penalize No. 88 on legal checks for simply being too big and hitting too hard.
The Rangers did not acquire Lindros to be Nick Fotiu. The Rangers don’t need Lindros to usurp the job current forwards Matt Barnaby, Chris Simon, Dan LaCouture – and, yes, Bobby Holik – should be doing, establishing a physical, mean-edged tone. When Lindros returns, he needs to use his body not to get the crowd on his side, but in order to get into position to score, whether directly in front of the net or in the high trigger position. The Rangers won’t succeed if Lindros is always first on his line to the puck, first to create the battle on the walls or in the corners, from where, by definition, he cannot score.
No one is suggesting that Lindros can be a productive player if he avoids contact. He has to play a power game. But he does not need to initiate contact at every opportunity, either. That’s counter-productive. The Rangers need Lindros is the lineup, they need him to score goals. This other stuff, this macho challenge that somehow is being laid down to Lindros, it’s become ridiculous – as ridiculous as the coaching staff encouraging No. 88 to dive feet-first into shots from the point.
Lindros will win the affection of the fans if he produces and the team succeeds. It’s that simple. He doesn’t have to be Fotiu. If he comes back and tries to be, if he comes back and is ordered to be, he’ll probably be the one who winds up having his head examined. Again.
And then the Rangers can go get Jaromir Jagr.
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The Devils’ early problems have created a sense that Lou Lamoriello may move sooner rather than later to address the champs’ issues down the middle. Sources indicate that New Jersey is keeping an eye on Calgary’s Craig Conroy, who not only fits the Devils’ mold on the ice, but off it as well, given the 32-year-old pivot’s status as an impending Group III free agent. Conroy was the Selke runner-up two seasons ago while recording 75 points on Calgary’s top line. Lewis Gross, Conroy’s agent, has told Slap Shots that there have been no contract discussions whatsoever with the Flames.
Well, look who was leading Nashville in scoring (2-5-7) through the first six games of the year; none other than Marek Zidlicky, whom the Rangers sent to the Predators with Tomas Kloucek and Rem Murray in the Mike Dunham deal. Given that Dunham has been the Rangers’ best player since last February, Glen Sather does have some insulation on the trade. But the reason Zidlicky, a 5-11, 25-year-old defenseman, was available is because the Rangers couldn’t sign him to a contract and get him over from Europe after selecting him 176th overall in the 2001 Entry Draft. It boggles the senses when the otherwise profligate organization hardballs prospects over $50,000 or $100,000 as it does routinely.
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A number of elite agents are eagerly anticipating a meeting in Toronto on Wednesday with Bob Goodenow and his PA negotiating team. Despite optimism espoused by a number of industry sources who seem to believe that Goodenow and Gary Bettman are closer than people believe, we’re told unequivocally that while the union may be willing to yield on a variety of systemic issues, a lockout will not be avoided unless the NHL backs off its demand for a hard cap – at any price.
Finally, through Thursday, a total of two goals or fewer had been scored in 14.6 percent of all NHL games, three goals or fewer in 29.2 percent of the games, and four goals or fewer in an astounding 42.7 percent of the schedule.
