Revisiting Toronto Maple Leafs' 2005 signing of Eric Lindros to $1.55M deal

In 2005, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed an aging Eric Lindros. Lindros was coming off a three-year deal with the New York Rangers, where his production had been rapidly declining. Injuries and the lingering effects of multiple concussions had taken their toll on Lindros’ body.

Following the 2004-05 lockout, Lindros was a free agent. An entire year off the ice had apparently helped him recover from injuries, allowing him to return to his old self. Lindros had last played a full season in 2002-03 but dealt with an injury-plagued 2003-04 season that limited him to just 39 games.

But the 2005-06 season promised to be a resurgence for Lindros. His hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, took a chance on the towering center, signing him to a one-year, $1.55 million deal.

Lindros was thrilled to be playing for his childhood team. The CBC quoted Lindros saying:

“It’s about time. This is great. I’m really excited about it. It’s a dream come true.”

Lindros, who is from London, Ontario, had dreamt about playing for the Maple Leafs. However, he was famously drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991. After Lindros publicly told the team he would not play for them, the Nordiques traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.

The Nordiques had negotiated Lindros’ rights to both teams, requiring the intervention of an arbitrator to settle the matter. Long story short, the arbitrator ruled that the Nordiques had originally reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Flyers, finalizing the deal.

Lindros won the Hart Trophy in 1994-95 despite only playing 46 games. He scored 70 points in those games, following that performance up with a 115-point season the following year. But by 2005, Lindros’ best days were behind him.

Eric Lindros’ legacy with the Toronto Maple Leafs

In essence, Lindros’ one season in blue and white was disappointing. In 33 games, Lindros scored 11 goals and 22 points. He was far from the dominant force he had been with the Flyers. He was slow and lacked the instincts that characterized his usual drive to the net.

Despite showing encouraging signs, a torn ligament in his left wrist sidelined Lindros for 27 games. He re-aggravated the injury upon his return, ending his season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The injury was a disappointing end to a season that was a homecoming but also promised to be the resurgence of one of the league’s all-time greats.

Sadly, the unceremonious end essentially marked the end of his career. Lindros played one more year in the NHL. He retired following the 2006-07 season with the Dallas Stars after netting 26 points in 49 games.

Lindros’ underwhelming tenure was a forgettable episode in a brilliant career cut short by injuries. Had Lindros stayed healthy, he could have delivered on the talent that promised to put him on the same level as Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux.

Eric Lindros was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.