Eric Lindros’ storied career was cut down by injuries, but if former Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren had his way, Lindros wouldn’t have exited the league so soon.
After spending nearly a decade and a half in the NHL, Lindros retired in 2006-2007 at the age of 34. The former first overall pick was plagued with concussion injuries, so the early retirement didn’t come as a surprise. Nearly a half a decade post-retirement, Holmgren asked Lindros if there was any interest in coming back to play with Philly.
Lindros says Holmgren asked him back in 2012 about coming out of retirement and 88 said: "Are you nuts?" Wasn't sure if the GM was serious
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 11, 2016
Lindros’ answer is a perfect summation of the question. Lindros would be pushing 40 at the time the question was asked and wasn’t in peak, physical shape. It would be frankly incredible if he could take five seasons off and play in a single game at that age. Holmgren is ‘nuts’ for even considering the option.
Perhaps, Holmgren was cracking wise to see how Lindros would react to such an absurd question. Because, if it was serious, there’s no way Lindros would come back, especially how he left the game so banged-up.
Number 88 should be more than comfortable with his decision to decline Holmgren’s offer and stay retire. He wouldn’t be eligible for the Hall of Fame, as he is now as a member of the 2016 class. However, it would have been amazingly weird to see Lindros make a sudden return.
[theScore]
