Lindros Deal Close - Part 17

March 9, 2001

Eric Lindros

<Update: March 13, 2001 - The deal is dead. News outlets have confirmed in conversations with Bobby Clarke and Eric Lindros that no deal was completed. The death knell for this deal seemed to be rung when the Phoenix-St. Louis deal was announced. Look for Lindros to join the Canadian national team for the World Championships.>

In a surprising twist, word has come down that Eric Lindros has lifted his moratorium on playing for any team other than the Leafs. Coupled with that is word of a failed attempt by the Blues to land the injury-prone free agent. Rumour has it that St. Louis offered up #1 center and impending unrestricted free agent Pierre Turgeon in a straight up deal for Lindros. Lindros' father and agent, Carl, confirmed that if his son was traded to the Blues he would sign a contract. 

This is important on many levels. First of all, it means that there will likely be a bidding war between now and the deadline (which of course is what Bobby Clarke wanted). Second it means that there will be another big player in a playoff run if a deal is completed. There were many that believed that Lindros' stubbornness would keep him out of this year's post-season, but it seems he's come to his sense. 

The teams will be lining up to take their best shots now. 

There are additional rumours flying around. One has FAN 590 in Toronto reporting that Lindros' lawyer has indicated that the Big 'E' will only sign a one year deal. While others believe that this is merely a plot by Lindros to pressure Toronto ownership to make the deal regardless of GM Pat Quinn's concerns. Regardless, this has the potential to be THE story of the trading deadline. Throw in a rumoured 4-team deal that could include the likes of Brendan Shanahan and Keith Tkachuk and we know where we'll be come Deadline Tuesday.

March Trades

Trade Deadline Page

March 9th Rumours