The “Legion of Doom” could be returning this winter.
There has been speculation that the Philadelphia Flyers are trying to reunite the line of Eric Lindros, John LeClair and Mikael Renberg for the Alumni Game at this season’s Winter Classic.
“(Flyers GM) Paul Holmgren gave me a shout about a month-and-a-half ago, we talked back and forth a little bit and I was really happy to hear his voice and to get the invitation,” Lindros told the Brady & Lang show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
The former first-overall pick will play in the game and is excited about the possibility of playing with his old teammates again since he said he hasn’t seen LeClair in a while and has been trying to get in touch with Renberg.
Lindros still plays twice a week and enjoys the game as much as he did during his 13-season NHL career.
“The game of hockey itself is terrific,” Lindros said. “You can have a million things going on in your life and as soon as you get to the rink, you put on your gear, things just seem to settle down and you can enjoy that hour on the ice and the time before and afterwards with the group (of guys you play with).”
Lindros also shared his thoughts on the visor debate, a discussion that has re-emerged this week on the heels of Chris Pronger’s eye injury suffered against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.
“It’s a personal choice. We all know what the smart choice is. Can (making visors mandatory) hurt? I don’t think so,” Lindros said.
Players have argued in the past that visors can affect their vision and if they can’t see well peripherally, it could make them susceptible to hits and other elements.
Lindros, however, argues that players wear visors in junior and therefore pros should not have a problem adjusting to them in the NHL.
“If you grow up with a really good product, I don’t’ see why (a rule to make visors mandatory) wouldn’t be grandfathered.”
The London, Ont., native was ahead of his time in the sense that he had elite skill to accompany his size and strength. In the four years since his retirement, he has seen the game change and is impressed with the talent coming out of Canada.
“Every year the skill level just seems to increase that much more,” Lindros said. “It’s almost like if you don’t have this A-plus skill level, you’re left out. Everyone seems to carry the puck through the ice so well. The game of hockey in Canada has really produced some great young players and I think will continue to do so.”
Lindros amassed 372 goals, 865 points and 1,398 penalty minutes in 760 NHL games. In 1994-95, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP. In 2002, Lindros helped Team Canada win gold at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
And, although he only played 33 games with Toronto, No. 88 still cheers for the Leafs and thinks they can make the playoffs this season.
“I watch the Leafs. I want the Leafs to do well. I think the city’s always in a better mood when the Leafs are clipping along. It would be great to see some playoff hockey in this town and get behind them.”
