Lindros snubbed the Flyers invitation to appear at the closing of the Spectrum?

Question

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=txflyerslindros&prov=st&type=lgns

So my question do you blame him?If you already don't know 88 was my favorite player of all time when he wore the orange and black but alot was his own fault for his demise with the team,so do you side with him in not wanting to come or should he have left bygones be bygones?

Answer 1

Well, hello Dr. Quagmire.

Believe it or not, despite my opinion of him, I side with Lindros  because the Flyers weren't complete angels in their handling of #88 either.

The Flyers do take care of their players but I think the management got their feelings hurt by how Carl & Bonnie tried to muscle them during negotiations.

Besides all the "wanting more money than he's worth", the Mom & Dad representation, and not winning the Stanley Cup, the thing I blame Eric for is the accusations made against the medical staff. That sort of thing should be kept between the player and team instead of being announced to the media.

JOE - It might take me decades to forgive them for firing Barber. That's why Primeau and Gagne aren't among my Flyers favorites.

LUBERS - Glad you made it back buddy. You still seeing spots in front of your eyes, or were those just USO's you saw up there in Maine?

Answer 2

Bad blood between Lindros and GM CLARKE. so good luck getting lindros to the arena.

Answer 3

Lindros left on very bad terms with the Flyers "organization" due to both sides bickering and fighting.   If you remember back in 1994 when the Flyers made him the youngest captain to wear the orange and black, they demoted Kevin Denine who was Flyers captain at the time, who played great hockey for the Flyers years on end.  Clarke presented Lindros as the next "great one" and the future of the Flyers organization.

  Well, the Flyers treated him like he was the "great white hope" and he never fit in with the rest of the team very well.  He was too young and had a fat head.  His father was his agent and wanted him to be treated like a hockey god and Clarke soon realized that he had to kiss Lindros's butt too often.  He got tired of all the drama, especially after the many injuries Lindros incurred over the years.  They paid Lindros big time money for him to be on the disabled list many months out of many seasons.

So, my answer is this.  The Flyers "had" to invite him because if they didn't, the media would have a field day and give the Flyers bad press.  I would like to see him show since I feel the same as you about him, but, I think that the Flyers/Lindros relationship will never be repaired and I think it's best that he stay out of Philly.

EDIT....

If Lindros were to attend....

No doubt that the Wachovia Center will go bonkers once Lindros name is announced. Most fans loved him.  He helped to make the dynasty that was the early to mid 90's for the Flyers.  But, it seems that the old wounds have not healed and Lindros will not forgive the Flyers or Clarke for what happened to his career.  It was not all the Flyers fault and Lindros should be mature enough to let bygones be bygones.  I don't think it will happen.  Oh, Dr. Joe, about Kevin Dineen not being a great player...you are right, he was pretty good but not as good as he was as captain for the Flyers.  I still think Eric was too young to be captain then, but, it's all ice under the zamboni now.

Answer 4

He should have accepted.  The Wachovia Center would have been built regardless of whether the Lindros trade happened, but it was often referred to as the "House that Eric Built."

Bobby Clarke and the Flyers front office were not blameless, but Lindros came to the organization as a pampered, spoiled brat who hit the first real challenge of his hockey career in the NHL.  In 2000 and 2001, if he does not have an 8 year history of being a royal PITA, I believe the Flyers front office treats the situation very differently.

The Montreal Canadiens are going to retire Patrick Roy's number this season, I assume that Pat will be in the building for that.  If Pat can be man enough to let bygones be bygones, I see no reason why Eric shouldn't do the same.  Would it be so horrible to walk onto the ice, shake Bobby's hand and go stand in line?  I view it as the organization extending an olive branch.  I would also expect that had he accepted, he would have received one of the loudest ovations of the captains in attendance.

EDIT: Bill makes a great point which I believe actually reinforces my argument.  The Flyers are one of the best teams in the league in regards to taking care of their own.  They are notorious for finding places in the organization for former players.

Answer 5

This may be best for both sides

The Flyers like the girl above me said don't want Lindros and only invited him because it's bad publicity if they don't

Now the Flyers avoid negative publicity and Lindros doesn't have to come to something he'd rather not come too