<p><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img src="https://cdn.eprinkside.com/fm/eprinkside/files/2/images/2024-10/Eric%20Lindros%20Trade%20Article%20Image%20(1).png" alt="" width="100%" /></span><br /><span style="font-size: 8pt;">&copy; Bildbyr&aring;n</span></p>
<p>Few players in NHL history have inspired as much awe and debate as <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8998/eric-lindros" target="_new" rel="noopener">Eric Lindros</a>. Standing at 6-foot-4 with a unique combination of size, strength, and skill, Lindros was seen as a generational talent destined for greatness. From the dramatic Eric Lindros trade to a career filled with brilliance and adversity, his story is one of immense potential, complicated by injury and circumstance.</p>
<h2>Eric Lindros Pre-Draft: "The Next One"</h2>
<p>Before his name became synonymous with one of the biggest trades in <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nhl-entry-draft/1991" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">NHL</a> history, <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8998/eric-lindros" target="_new" rel="noopener">Eric Lindros</a> was already a towering figure in the hockey world. From an early age, his blend of size, speed, and skill set him apart from his peers, earning him the nickname &ldquo;The Next One,&rdquo; a reference to his potential to follow in the footsteps of <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/9678/wayne-gretzky" target="_new" rel="noopener">Wayne Gretzky</a>. Lindros dominated at every level, from his junior career with the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/873/oshawa-generals" target="_new" rel="noopener">Oshawa Generals</a> in the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/ohl" target="_new" rel="noopener">OHL</a>, where he led the team to a Memorial Cup victory in 1990, to representing Canada on the international stage as a teenager. By the time the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nhl-entry-draft/1991" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">1991 NHL Draft</a> approached, Lindros was regarded as a generational talent, a rare player who could single-handedly change the fate of a franchise. But as the spotlight on him grew, so did the controversy that would surround his NHL entry, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic moments in hockey history.</p>
<h2>Draft Day Drama</h2>
<p>In 1991, Eric Lindros was the clear first overall pick, but when the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/544/quebec-nordiques" target="_new" rel="noopener">Quebec Nordiques</a> selected him, he immediately refused to put on the jersey. Lindros had been vocal about his unwillingness to play for Quebec, citing concerns about the team&rsquo;s poor management and his desire to join an English-speaking market. Despite being drafted, Lindros continued playing junior hockey, leaving Quebec with no choice but to explore trade options.</p>
<h2>The Eric Lindros Trade: Full Breakdown</h2>
<p>The trade negotiations resulted in one of the most controversial moments in NHL history. The Nordiques made agreements with both the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/70/philadelphia-flyers" target="_new" rel="noopener">Philadelphia Flyers</a> and the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/68/new-york-rangers" target="_new" rel="noopener">New York Rangers</a>, leading to a dispute that required arbitration. In the end, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the Flyers, but the price was steep.</p>
<p>In exchange for Lindros, Quebec received:</p>
<ul class="css-ifblvf-list">
<li>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/710/peter-forsberg" target="_new" rel="noopener">Peter Forsberg</a> (future Hall of Famer)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/19302/ron-hextall" target="_new" rel="noopener">Ron Hextall</a> (star goaltender)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8909/mike-ricci" target="_new" rel="noopener">Mike Ricci</a> (talented forward)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/21626/steve-duchesne" target="_new" rel="noopener">Steve Duchesne</a> (solid defenseman)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/48614/kerry-huffman" target="_new" rel="noopener">Kerry Huffman</a> (defenseman)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8882/chris-simon" target="_new" rel="noopener">Chris Simon</a> (forward known for his toughness)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Two first-round draft picks (1993, 1994)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>$15 million in cash<br /><br /></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>This trade reshaped both franchises. Li<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">ndros b</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">eca</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">me the centerpiece in Philadelphia, while the Nordiques, later relocating as the </span><a class="" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/57/colorado-avalanche" target="_new" rel="noopener">Colorado Avalanche</a><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">, used these assets to build a team that would win two Stanley Cups.</span></p>
<pre><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;" src="https://cdn.eprinkside.com/fm/eprinkside/files/2/images/2024-10/BB960611BB005%20(1).jpg" alt="" width="404" height="496" /></span><br /><span style="font-size: 8pt;">&copy; Bildbyr&aring;n - Peter Forsberg in 1996</span></pre>
<h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">A Dominant Force in the NHL After the Eric Lindros Trade</h2>
<p>Lindros quickly made an impact in Philadelphia. His unique combination of power, skill, and physicality redefined the role of the power forward in the NHL. In 1995, he won the Hart Trophy as the league&rsquo;s most valuable player. By 1997, he had led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final, though they were swept by the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/60/detroit-red-wings" target="_new" rel="noopener">Detroit Red Wings</a>. At his peak, Lindros was a dominant force, capable of controlling the game on both ends of the ice.</p>
<p>However, his aggressive style made him vulnerable to injuries, especially concussions, which would come to overshadow his career.</p>
<h3>The Scott Stevens Hit on Eric Lindros: A Career-Changing Moment</h3>
<p>In the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals, Lindros' career trajectory took a devastating turn. Returning from multiple concussions, he entered the offensive zone in Game 7 against the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/66/new-jersey-devils" target="_new" rel="noopener">New Jersey Devils</a>. Waiting for him was Devils captain <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/21375/scott-stevens" target="_new" rel="noopener">Scott Stevens</a>, who delivered a crushing hit that became one of the most infamous moments in hockey history.</p>
<p>The hit not only left Lindros motionless on the ice but also marked a pivotal moment in his career. Lindros never played for the Flyers again after that, as the hit aggravated his previous concussions. His relationship with the Flyers' management, already strained over how his injuries were handled, deteriorated further, and he sat out the entire 2000&ndash;01 season.</p>
<h2>The "What Ifs" of the Eric Lindros Trade</h2>
<p>Though Lindros later played for the <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/68/new-york-rangers" target="_new" rel="noopener">New York Rangers</a>, <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/76/toronto-maple-leafs" target="_new" rel="noopener">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>, and <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/59/dallas-stars" target="_new" rel="noopener">Dallas Stars</a>, he was never quite the same player after the Scott Stevens hit. Despite finishing his career with 865 points in 760 games, there remains a sense of "what if." What if Lindros had stayed healthy? Could he have led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup? Could he have gone down as one of the greatest players in NHL history?</p>
<p>Lindros' legacy is a blend of brilliance and unfulfilled potential, a reminder of how quickly a career can change.</p>
<h2>Eric Lindros' Lasting Legacy</h2>
<p>In 2016, <a class="" href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8998/eric-lindros" target="_new" rel="noopener">Eric Lindros</a> was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his place among the sport&rsquo;s all-time greats. Two years later, in 2018, the Flyers retired his No. 88 jersey in recognition of his impact on the team and the game.</p>
<p>While the Scott Stevens hit and the injuries that followed will always define part of his career, his influence on hockey is undeniable. Lindros remains one of the most captivating players in NHL history, with the Eric Lindros trade standing as one of the league's most consequential moves.</p>

The Eric Lindros trade: a blockbuster deal that changed the NHL and the fate of two franchises.

Eric Lindros Trade: The Deal That Changed the NHL

Eric Lindros Trade: The Deal That Turned the Tables

<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://cdn.eprinkside.com/fm/eprinkside/files/2/images/2024-03/Trade%20Deadline%20Rumors%20(1).png" alt="" width="100%&lt;/p"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching which means that the NHL trade rumours are flowing like molten lava out of an active volcano. With all of those trade rumours, it&rsquo;s difficult to ascertain which players are truly on the trade block, and which are being tossed around to improve TV ratings for the 12-hour TV studio marathon on March 8th, 2024.<br><br>To help you filter out the noise and focus in on the cream, we&rsquo;ve compiled a list of the Top 10 Trade Deadline Targets ahead of the big day.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Trade Deadline Board</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Jake Guentzel, LW&nbsp; Pittsburgh Penguins</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/71/pittsburgh-penguins">Penguins&rsquo;</a> star winger is the type of asset that is rarely moved at the deadline. <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/199870/jake-guentzel">Jake Guentzel </a>is a multiple 40-goal scorer and is currently playing above a point-per-game. The 29-year-old is a soon-to-be unrestricted free agent and will be looking for a hefty payday. With Pittsburgh on the wrong side of the playoff bar, and having little cap space available to extend him, trading the left-winger could aid greatly in a retool on the fly.<br><br><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Edmonton, Vancouver, Detroit</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Noah Hanifin, LD - Calgary Flames</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The top remaining defender on the board is <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/54/calgary-flames">Calgary</a>&rsquo;s, <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/177710/noah-hanifin">Noah Hanifin</a>. The 27-year-old is an impending UFA that seems destined to be moved ahead of the deadline. Hanifin can provide stability in the defensive end, and chip in a good amount of points. He won&rsquo;t come cheaply.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> New Jersey, Florida, Tampa Bay</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Pavel Buchnevich, LW -&nbsp; St. Louis Blues</h2>
<p dir="ltr">One of the few players on this list with term remaining on his deal, <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/158906/pavel-buchnevich">Pavel Buchnevich</a> could still move &ndash; assuming a team pays the exorbitant asking price. He&rsquo;s a big-bodied, offensive winger who could greatly improve a contender&rsquo;s top-six forward corps.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Edmonton, Detroit, Vancouver</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">4. Frank Vatrano, LW - Anaheim Ducks</h2>
<p dir="ltr">With another year left on his deal, the <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1580/anaheim-ducks">Ducks</a> don&rsquo;t need to move <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/59733/frank-vatrano">Frank Vatrano</a>. However, with where they sit in the standings, and the way Vatrano has increased his value through a career-season, it makes sense to explore it. He&rsquo;s a shooter first and foremost, but can help out in other situations as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Edmonton, Detroit, Tampa Bay</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">5. Sean Walker, RD - Philadelphia Flyers</h2>
<p dir="ltr">A two-way defender capable of killing penalities, transitioning the puck effectively, and comes at a friendly cap hit? There will surely be many teams interested. The only hiccup is <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/70/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia</a> is sitting in a playoff spot. Do they hold the soon-to-be UFA?</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Toronto, Edmonton, Dallas</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">6. Reilly Smith, LW/RW - Pittsburgh Penguins</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/33903/reilly-smith">Reilly Smith</a> is a veteran winger who has been around the block. He comes with a Stanley Cup ring and the Penguins could retain part of his 5 million dollar caphit to make him even more appealing.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Winnipeg, Boston, Vegas</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">7. Adam Henrique, C - Anaheim Ducks</h2>
<p dir="ltr">One of the few consummate veteran centres avaialbly this year, <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/19043/adam-henrique">Adam Henrique</a> should be desired by those teams who missed out on <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/33387/elias-lindholm">Elias Lindholm</a> and need a suitable middle-six pivot. Henrique can play in all sorts of situations and that flexibility will be useful come playoff time.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Colorado, Vegas, Florida</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">8. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW - Ottawa Senators</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/24787/vladimir-tarasenko">Vladimir Tarasenko</a> isn&rsquo;t the player he once was, but he can still flash elite tools. Teams kicking the tires will hope they can strike lightning in a bottle with the former 40-goal man. With just a 5 million dollar cap hit and UFA status coming, the price tag shouldn&rsquo;t be too high.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Detroit, Dallas, Boston</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">9. Anthony Mantha, RW -&nbsp; Washington Capitals</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/78/washington-capitals">Capitals</a> have been trying to move <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/104045/anthony-mantha">Anthony Mantha</a> for sometime. But now they might be able to actually get something for him. The big-bodied winger should be looked at as a depth piece down the lineup who can slide up if necessary. He won&rsquo;t cost much to acquire either.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Detroit, Edmonton, Colorado</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">10. Anthony Duclair, LW - San Jose Sharks</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Everyone needs a little extra speed in their bottom-six, and <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/98665/anthony-duclair">Anthony Duclair</a> can bring that in spades. The <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/73/san-jose-sharks">Sharks</a> are going to sell anything not nailed ot the ground to continue their rebuild and bottom-out. Duclair should be a cost-effective piece to acquire.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><br><strong>Teams Interested:</strong> Edmonton, Los Angeles, Florida<br><br><br><br>Author:&nbsp;<br><br><img class="d-inline-block mr-3" src="https://cdn.eprinkside.com/2/images/camrobinson-1612580414-1024.png" alt="Cam Robinson" width="5%"> <br><a href="https://eprinkside.com/author/cam-robinson">Cam Robinson</a><br><span class="h-font-size--mini h-color--brand h-font-weight--bold d-block">Contributor - Dir. of Film Scouting EPrinkside</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p>Make sure to be on the lookout here on EP and our confirmed <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/transfers/confirmed?league=nhl">NHL trades page</a></p>

Unveiling the Top 10 NHL Trade Targets: Who's moving where before the Deadline? Focus on facts, bypass the buzz for true insights

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