The trade that keeps giving

Sporting News, The, Sept 2, 2002 by Tim Wharnsby

Looking back on the celebrated Eric Lindros trade 10 years later, it's easy to raise the arm of the Quebec Nordiques/ Colorado Avalanche and declare the franchise the clear winner.

On June 30, 1992, Lindros was sent to the Flyers for Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Chris Simon, Kerry Huffman, Steve Duchesne, two first-round picks (one used to select Jocelyn Thibault and the other traded twice, eventually used by the Capitals to draft Nolan Baumgartner) and $15 million.

A decade later, all the Flyers have to show for the trade is an unsuccessful trip to the 1997 Stanley Cup finals. At the other end of the rink, the Avalanche has captured a pair of Stanley Cups, in 1996 and 2001.

The trade's tentacles continue to reach far and wide. For example, the Avalanche used components of the Lindros trade to later acquire superstar goalie Patrick Roy, left wing Alex Tanguay and defensemen Ray Bourque and Rob Blake. The trade has turned the Avs into perennial contenders. But are they the clear winners?

A case could be made that relative victories were scored by Lindros, Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut, the Flyers and the Rangers.

The Nordiques drafted Lindros first overall in 1991. But after Aubut failed in the next year to cajole Lindros to play in Quebec City--Lindros demanded a trade because he believed the Nordiques were not committed to winning, and he wanted to play in a bigger market--the Nordiques agreed to deal No. 88.

The problem was they traded Lindros to the Rangers and Flyers at the same time. Ten days later, league-appointed arbitrator Larry Bertuzzi made a black-and-white--and orange--decision. Lindros was a Flyer.

While it ended badly for Lindros in Philadelphia after a nasty feud with general manager Bob Clarke two summers ago, Lindros wound up with the Rangers when he was traded last summer. Lindros got what he wanted.

But 10 years ago, the Rangers benefited from not landing Lindros. Their deal with the Nordiques for Lindros included a goaltender (Mike Richter or John Vanbiesbrouck) a forward (Tony Amonte or Adam Graves), Alexei Kovalev, James Patrick and $20 million for Lindros. Two years later, Richter and Kovalev played key roles in the Rangers' first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years. Amonte was traded for Stephane Matteau, who scored two game-winning goals in the 1994 playoffs. Patrick was traded for Steve Larmer, who scored four goals in the finals.

And how about Aubut? He profited, literally, from the trade, selling the Nordiques to interests in Colorado and walking away with $75 million.

That brings us to the Flyers. Although they haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1975, the Flyers filled the team's vault with cash on the back of Lindros.

Lindros sold tickets in a tough sports market. After his arrival, the First Union Center was built. Comcast, an all-sports TV network and part of the Flyers' ownership group, became a hit in the Philadelphia area with Lindros and the Flyers as the main programming. No. 88 Flyers sweaters became a hot seller in the mid-1990s, second only to Mario Lemieux's No. 66. And, according to Forbes, the Flyers are second in the NHL in value, worth an estimated $250 million. (The Rangers are tops at $277 million.)

"Eric got what he wanted," says Pierre Page, who was the Nordiques general manager who made the trade. "It didn't end well for him in Philly, but he has enjoyed a good career, a good career financially. The only thing missing is a Stanley Cup. That's what we were trying to do with the Nordiques, win a Stanley Cup. They had to move to Denver, but they won two Stanley Cups."

And when it comes down to it, that's all that matters.

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SPEED READ

* The NHL didn't need to get in a snit over the contract for new Rangers Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis. The league didn't want the players to receive part of their signing bonuses if there is a labor dispute in 2004-05. But it dropped the issue because there already are more than a few contracts with similar signing-bonus clauses.

INSIDE DISH

The true test for the NHL's latest crackdown on interference will come during the playoff drive in March and April--in the past, these crackdowns rarely have made it through December. But this time, the NHL appears serious. The league will convene general managers, coaches and referees in Toronto on September 10, a day or two before most clubs open training camp. League executive vice president Colin Campbell and director of officiating Andy Van Hellemond will go over the guidelines of the strict enforcement of the anti-obstruction rules, as well as the new hurry-up faceoff rule. With the latter, the visiting team will have five seconds to get its players to the faceoff dot, followed by eight seconds for the home team, before the puck is dropped. Players were not invited to the meeting.... Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock plans to give last year's rookie bust, RW Pavel Brendl, who spent most of the season in the AHL, a shot on a line with C Michal Handzus and LW John LeClair.... Veteran referee Terry Gregson, 48, will retire after officiating for 21 seasons. Gregson had a 20-year streak of postseason appearances snapped last spring.... Predators D Jere Karalahti vows to play when his six-month suspension for a third violation of the league's substance abuse is over. But it might be in Finland.... The Maple Leafs are interested in acquiring G Trevor Kidd as a backup. That's a bad move because if Kidd regains his form, he would challenge Ed Belfour for the No. 1 spot, and Belfour doesn't like to be challenged for his job. Proof: Marty Turco's emergence with the Stars the past two seasons put Belfour in a snit because he didn't want to share the load.--T.W.