Spektor writes "Is Eight Enough? For New York Rangers forward Eric Lindros, eight do*****ented concussions should be more than enough for him to seriously consider taking himself off the ice for good.
It's a shame Lindros' career might have to end this way, but his long-term health, not trying to help the Rangers squeeze into the playoffs for the first time in seven years, ought to be his first priority.
Sadly, Lindros' younger brother was forced to retire from hockey at age 20 in 1996 after a series of concussions. Brett Lindros, a promising forward with the New York Islanders, gave up the game rather than risk permanent brain damage.
Given Eric Lindros' history of concussions and the medical evidence that suggests people who suffer multiple blows to the head have more difficulty recovering from each successive injury, it doesn't make sense for him to keep playing.
Lindros suffered his latest concussion in the second period of Wednesday's game against Washington. He was looking down to control a bouncing puck and didn't see Capitals defenseman Jason Doig closing in on him. Doig used his left shoulder to check Lindros, sending him sprawling to the ice with a hard but legal hit.
Shortly after, Lindros tried to start a fight with Doig, though no punches landed. Lindros took one more shift but didn't feel well and was benched for the rest of the game. Rangers coach Glen Sather said Lindros saw some stars, white flashes.
The 6-foot-3, 228-pound Doig told reporters he didn't mean to injure Lindros, who is 6-5, 240. "He's a big target out there," Doig said. "I was already moving when he put his head down. His head was up at first."
Lindros previously suffered a concussion Dec. 28, 2001, when he banged his head with his own stick and glove in a collision with San Jose Sharks forward Mark Smith. Lindros missed four games.
Lindros was sidelined for the entire 2000-01 season after a brutal hit by New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Stevens on May 27, 2000, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. (Coincidentally, Stevens, one of the league's most fearsome bodycheckers, is currently on the Devils' injured reserve list because of concussion symptoms.)
Lindros, who turns 31 next month, was labeled "The Next One" before he was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991. The nickname alluded to expectations that he eventually would follow Wayne Gretzky - "The Great One" - as the league's top star.
Lindros has had a good career - he won the Hart Trophy with the Flyers in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season - but he hasn't stayed healthy long enough to reach his full potential.
Maybe Lindros' next move should be retirement. What do you think?
LINDROS HEAD INJURIES
• New York Rangers forward Eric Lindros has suffered eight concussions in the past six years, the first six concussions coming when he played for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Date Cir*****stances
1.March 8, 1998 Checked by Pittsburgh's Darius Kasparaitis
2.March 29, 1998 Hit by Calgary's Steve Smith and Jason Wiemer
3.Jan. 12, 2000 Collided with Atlanta's Chris Tamer
4.March 4, 2000 Hit by Boston's Hal Gill
5.May 5, 2000 Collided with Flyers teammate Francis Lessard
6.May 27, 2000 Leveled by New Jersey's Scott Stevens
7.Dec. 28, 2001 Bumped by San Jose's Mark Smith
8.Jan. 28, 2004 Hit by Washington's Jason Doig
source: Winnipeg Free Press
"
PLAYER NEWS
Henrik Lundqvist, G
2010/09/01: Henrik Lundqvist is happy to have a capable veteran backup in Martin Biron for the 2010-11 season. "It's gonna be good to have a guy who's been playing more and is really established," said the Rangers' netminder. "The goal is definitely for me to play a little bit less and for that to help us in the long run." Lundqvist appeared in 73 games last year for the Blueshirts, which tied Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff for the second most in the league. He is hoping the arrival of Biron will help lessen his workload and keep him fresher in the process. (Source: New York Post)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/30: Tim Kennedy has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Rangers. The deal will earn him $550,000. He earned a $1-million arbitration award, but the Buffalo Sabres waived him and chose to buy out the remainder of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. He is not a lock to make the Rangers' roster out of training camp though and will have to compete for an energy role on their fourth line. (Source: New York Newsday)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/24: Tim Kennedy is confident that he will find a team willing to give him a contract soon. "Everything I've been hearing has been good, so something will work out," he said. "I'm not worried about not playing next year. I know I'm going to end up somewhere. I'm just going to try to help that team." The 24-year-old said five teams are interested in his services, but he would not reveal their identities. Toronto, Columbus, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Atlanta could be in the mix. The free agent market has a logjam of players waiting for deals, but more activity is expected in the coming weeks with teams preparing for training camp. (Source: Buffalo News)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/05: The Columbus Blue Jackets are not interested in free agent Tim Kennedy. Columbus still has plenty of cap space, but they're reportedly done signing players. Buffalo bought out Kennedy after he received a one-year/$1 million contract by an arbitrator. Kennedy had 10 goals and 26 points in 78 games last season and he should develop into a decent player. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Todd White, C/LW
2010/08/04: Todd White is still recovering from shoulder surgery, but he should be ready for training camp. White has been skating for three weeks, but he still hasn't been cleared for contact. "(The rehab) is going well," White said . "I saw the doctors three weeks ago and I was cleared to start skating. I've skated a couple of times, passing and shooting. I had the shoulder surgery as soon as the season was done, that's part of not being allowed to take contact. (The start of training camp), that's my goal, that was the plan all along in Atlanta, to be ready. I've been progressing really well. It's just a matter of getting my strength, my range of motion is back." The Rangers traded Donald Brashear and Patrick Rissmiller to Atlanta to get Todd White. (Source: The Bergen Record)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/03: Tim Kennedy has cleared waivers and the Sabres intend to buy him out. Kennedy was awarded a one-year/$1 million contract by an arbitrator. The Sabres didn't have the option to walk away from the deal because all arbitrator awarded contracts under $1,611,180 are automatically accepted this summer. Buffalo's decision to buy out Kennedy's contract came as a bit of a surprise given that the Sabres are reportedly well under the salary cap, but GM Darcy Regier has apparently been given a budget that is lower than the cap. Regier said that the team is currently over his allotted budget, but the buyout of Kennedy did help them sign blueliner Shaone Morrisonn to a two-year/$4.15 million contract. (Source: Buffalo News)
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Re: Should Lindros Retire??? Is A Bear Catholic? Does The Pope &^%$ In The Woods? (Score: 1) by defenestrate(iknowyouare@butwhatami.com) on Saturday, January 31 (User Info | Send a Message)
Retire? NO! Who would we torment Mik about then?
Oh, that's right - the rest of the team.
Btw, I think you missed a few concussions - I'm pretty sure his bell was also rung by Connie Moreau, Ogilthorpe, Tootie, Blair, Joe, Natalie, and Mrs. Garrett.
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by Aetherial on Saturday, January 31 (User Info | Send a Message)
Don't know enough about this latest injury to say whether or not he should retire yet.
What is scary though is that it points out what we all know is true and yet sort of forgot about the last 2 years. He is one decent hit away from some serious damage at some point.
Perhaps it is time to jang 'em up and think about the quality of his life.
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by nskerr on Friday, January 30 (User Info | Send a Message)
If he can continue to play physical hockey in the slot creating space and creating problems for the defense, then he should stay in hockey. However after his last concussion with the Rangers, he played the rest of the season as a perimeter player. If all he is going to do is look to pass the puck from the point because he is afraid to get hit, then he should retire.
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by wingerxx on Friday, January 30 (User Info | Send a Message)
It totally depends...Personally, I think its courageous of him to keep playing, although some think its stupid. I disagree, because hockey is what he loves...its not easy to walk away from something you love. If Lindros retires, good for him, he's had a better career than most NHL players. From the sounds of it, this concussion does not sound that severe. But he should take his time coming back, so he can at least attempt to be the old force-of-nature Lindros, that he was playing like. As a Rangers fan, I definitely want him back. But as a hockey fan, I could understand why he would want to walk away too.
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by GretzNYR99 on Friday, January 30 (User Info | Send a Message)
Reminds me too much of Pat LaFontaine... I loved watching them both, but their demises were just unbearable. I hate to see this happen.
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by Smithers(funmonkeyfacehead@msn.com) on Friday, January 30 (User Info | Send a Message)
As much as we hate to admit it, life is a whole lot bigger than hockey. Lindros should consider this, be smart in his actions and step away from the game. Not everyone will leave on his own terms, but this is the rest of his life that he is now playing with. Do the smart thing Lindros. You've been a fun player to watch, but step away while you still can.
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by The_Conductor on Saturday, January 31 (User Info | Send a Message)
How many concussions do you need before you call it quites. 1? 2? 5? 8? For Lindros who knows... maybe he will call it quites when he spaces out, when he doesn't know where he is or what he is doing.
Yes he is his own person but shouldn't the NHL step in and say that he is a risk to himself. 1 Concussion isn't good for a person... think what 8 could do!
Retire sure... if he doesn't, no big deal... its his life and his brain.
lindros has had a great season. I dnt want him to retire on the low note of him not getting the rangers in the playoffs. he has been playing so strong this year, it was bound to happen. i think lindros shouldnt retire. after he gets all better,than he should make his decision.
and if he doesnt get all better, than his decision has been made
Re: Should Lindros Retire??? (Score: 1) by ranger_fan on Saturday, January 31 (User Info | Send a Message)
As much as it hurts to say so I think he should like Brett did. Or perhaps he will sign with the Leafs or traded there before he goes. He has always wanted to be there it seems. Best of luck Eric.
