One of the greatest discussions in hockey is Eric Lindros. While many so-called experts called him the combination of Wayne Gretzky (on-ice vision, passing ability) and Mario Lemieux (supreme skillset, physically imposing), Lindros has obviously come up short. While the numbers have been impressive (760 games, 372 goals, 493 assists, 865 points, well over a point a game, plus one Hart Trophy and one Olympic Gold Medal), the expectations were too great. If you were to compare Lindros to other H-oFs, he doesn't compare, but...he has accomplished more than the likes of Bernie Federko for crying out loud! You decide!
2007-05-22 04:28:43 · 24 answers · asked by Snoop 5 in Sports ➔ Hockey
One thing to PuckDat: Paul Henderson was a solid player, very famous for the Summit Series goal of course. However, the overall body of work just isn't there. Aside from one great week of hockey, he really didn't transcend the game. I will agree with you on this: it is a damn crime Glenn Anderson isn't in the Hall. Many people want to say that he was a bit player on championship teams...yeah, okay. I'm sure 498 goals didn't just happen to mysteriously find the backs of nets for a number of years. It's okay for those so-called experts to shut him out and criticize him...his six Stanley Cup rings are plugging his ears!
2007-05-22 04:47:02 · update #1
It's true, Lindros never lived up to the hype that surrounded him. But is it ALL his fault? Was he the one that made up all the hype? His parents were the ones that told the Nordiques that he wouldn't play for them, they did the same thing when he went in for the Junior entry draft. Many people are products of their upbringing and from the sounds of it he was probably pampered as a kid and told he could do no wrong, he certainly had to have had a coach that told him that stuff.
In his Junior career he averaged over 2 points per game but even there had some issues with injuries but the Nordiques still decided to take the chance on him. In the end they got a sweet deal, 15 million in cash and Peter Forsberg along with several other players. In his NHL career, Lindros only played in an average of 67% of the games each season but still managed to put up some fairly impressive numbers although not nearly what many people expected from him.
In the end he wasn't worth the money spent on him and he was most likely compromised by the hype and those close to him. While he should also shoulder much of the blame for what happened in his career the Hockey hall of Fame is just that, The Hockey Hall of Fame, not the NHL Hall of Fame. The HHOF has many player inductees that never played a single NHL game but had stellar Junior careers or great careers with their national teams. Injuries were the biggest issue and with fewer of them we may all think differently about his performance on the ice. But lets face it, he was still a fairly significant talent. There are plenty of players with less hockey talent and less impressive numbers in the hall. While we may be able to debate many of them, I think we will one day see Eric Lindros inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
2007-05-23 08:22:53 · answer #1 · answered by The Captain #19 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. His numbers are impressive but not enough to get in. If it ever happens it will be a long ways down the road. A lot of answers already state that he didn't live up to the hype. It would be impossible to live up to all the hype that he had. What a circus! But seriously, he will not be compared to other players as much as he will be compared to his own potential. The torch was passed and he let it fizzle out. You can't knock a guy for his health. But as votes are cast, the little voice in the back of the voters mind will always think about what could have been. It's too bad for Big E, but it's reality.
He should be in the Nordiques/Avs HoF. Lindros is the Herschel Walker of hockey.
2007-05-22 11:56:11 · answer #2 · answered by Scotty F 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Yes-We would probably think of him much differently if he had gone with the Nords and thus ended up with the Avalanche! But without the Lindros trade the Avs never would have wound up with Forsberg et al. Funny how life works out sometimes. It's not really his fault Clarke treated him so badly. Don't forget he has an Olympic silver medal to his credit. He deserves to be in the hall just because his example probably discouraged a lot of other players from doing what he did to the Nords.
2007-05-22 12:45:18 · answer #3 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good points Snoop. But the goal total is low as is the points. IF he plays a few more years and contributes some good numbers he may get consideration but right now he ranks behind Glenn Anderson who as of yet is also not a Hall of Famer.
And someone please tell me why Paul Henderson isn't in there? In terms of fame, is he not one of Canada's most famous players?
Addendum: It's hall of fame not hall of stats we need to remember and tell me which Canadian hockey player not currently in the HOF is most famous? Paul Henderson. He scored 3 game winning goals in a series that held an entire nation mesmerized for a couple weeks in september of 1972.
2007-05-22 11:41:10 · answer #4 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO. No way. No chance. If he gets in I will be ASHAMED of the Hall for that. Oh and the Olympic medal has nothing to do with the Hall of Fame. The NHL players don't deserve to have that included when they are up for the Hall. IF he is better then people in the Hall, and we are going by the games THEY played and THEIR ability based on that, then I would look at what they did beyond stats. Not everything can be put in a stat sheet. Him being an annoying crybaby isn't on a stat sheet, but I'm sure others would agree with me about it.
2007-05-22 15:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bernie Federko is not going to convince me, because I don't think he should be there.
That said, Lindros is a hard player to analyze. He was really, really good... for a few seasons. Are six super-star, but injury-filled seasons enough? Will all his whining and crying hurt his chances with the voters? What about the fact that he has absolutely blown chunks the past four seasons? It is hard to say, but many of the voters think this way: was he one of the best of his time? For about six seasons, when he wasn't hurt, he was. I think they will think twice before selecting him, but he'll eventually make it.
2007-05-22 11:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the highlights of Eric Lindros that tv show the most are the 2 Scott Stevens hit.
2007-05-22 14:55:31 · answer #7 · answered by baypae 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Injuries killed his stats, and never lead a team to the promise land. Even in 1998 when he was captain Canada at the Olympics, the Canadians didn't even medal. He is a loser whos mom ruined him.
He should be in the Colorado Avalanche hall of fame due to the way that the Nordiques robbed Philly in that trade.
2007-05-22 11:53:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, for two reasons:
1) No ring
2) Francophobe crybaby
And to think all he had to do was play with the team that drafted him... Look at Lemieux, he didn't like being drafted by the Penguins but he sucked it up and is now remembered as a true champion and a class act.
2007-05-22 14:17:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, not unless he pulls out something spectacular to end his career. A Cup or two wouldn't hurt. Though he's done all right point per game wise, he's disappeared the last few years. Most players slow down late in their careers, but we're talking about a guy who should just now be considered getting out of his "prime" years. He hasn't been a point per game guy since he was 28 or 29.
2007-05-22 11:46:58 · answer #10 · answered by stars_fan_2 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋