Here we go again (Lindros/Forsberg trade)

[Trick_]

Everybody has their opinions on who got the better end. What I want to discuss is the WHAT IF's and could shouldas.


Not looking at the trade that was completed, but the numerous other deals that teams contemplated and offered the Nordiques.

All courtesey of Full Spectrum by Jay Greenberg: The majority of info below were direct quotes from the following: Keenan, Farwell, Jay Snider, Ed Snider and Pierre Page.

June 11, nine days before the draft:

Aubut wanted Ricci, Brind'amour, Hextall, Duchesne, Huffman #1's in '92, '93 & '94 and either Forsberg or Slava Butsayev.

Aubut also wanted options on a number of other players including Claude Boivin for Herb Raglan and Dan Kordic and Steve Finn.

Flyers thought that Brind'amour needed to be kept.

Fast-forward to Tuesday, June 16th, the week of the draft.

10 of the NHL's 24 teams had contacted Quebec indicating interest, but according to Page 5 had dropped before arriving in Montreal for the draft.

Detroit had turned down Quebec's demand for Fedorov, Lidstrom, Chaisson, Lapointe, Cheveldae and draft picks.

Calgary offered cash, draft choices, Quebec's choice of MacInnis or Suter plus either Nieuwendyk or Reichel. The Flames dropped out when Quebec asked for more.

Montreal and NewJersey both also dropped out. By Friday it was down to Flyers, Rangers, Blackhawks and Leafs.

In all talks between the Flyers & Nords Ricci, Duchesne and Hextall were included.

Keenan wanted Lindros badly and was prepared to offer anything other than Roenick, but Wirtz refused to include any cash

Chicago's offer was Belfour, Larmer, Steve Smith in a 5 player, 7 pick offer. In return Chicago would get Lindros & three Quebec choices, including Quebec's #1, where Keenan planned to pick Kasparitis.

Quebec though the Chicago offer was the best, and only asked them for $5 million in cash. Wirtz refused to pay, and also didn't want to pay Lindros either.

Toronto had the cash, but not the players. Their offer included Felix Potvin, Wendal Clark, Dave Ellet, Berube multpile #1 picks and $15 million. Toronto would not include Gilmour, which killed the deal.

Aubut finally came to the Flyers and the deal was: Ricci, Hextall, Duchesne, Forsberg, Huffman, 7th overall pick in 92 & the #1 pick in 1993, as well as $15 million.

The Rangers offer Kovalev, Weight, Amonte, Vanbiesbrouck (James Patick would be substitued if Vanbiesbrouck a free agent refused to sign in Quebec), #1 picks in 93, 94 & 96, plus $12 million.

Since the Flyers had used the 7th overall pick in 1992 on Ryan Sittler, the Nordiques argued they neede a replacement.

Bertuzzi awarded them a 1994 #1 pick and Chris Simon.


So what if Belfour got traded and Nordiques win in 95...Roy goes elsewhere in a trade and starts a powerhouse elsewhere.

What if the Rangers DO get the trade in their Favor...would they have won the cup with Lindros instead of Kovalev?

So many possibilities

[P2K]

I hate to say this, but Lindros would've faired better going to the Rangers because Messier was there. Turns out that Eric wanted to be just one of the guys and not the leader. Being with Messier, the bullseye on his back would've been much smaller and he wouldn't have had to fight nearly as much as he did here in Philly. Add to the fact that Lindros LOVED Messier.

This still wouldn't take out the injury factor that Eric had. I'm thinking, though, that he wouldn't have been injured as much in New York since he wouldn't have been "the team". On the Flyers, Eric was "the" man. And despite having some talent around him, they never put absolute studs on that team while he was in his prime. Getting Paul Coffey and Dale Hawerchuk and Chris Gratton did not help. The only one that was good was Keith Primeau and that was short-lived. So Eric was the center of attention always.

I'm sure if he was on the Rangers the whole time, Lindros wouldn't have been targeted as much and wouldn't have been asked to be such an enforcer. Just my opinion.

[Trick_]

I was thinking that too. His injuried would've been reduced because he wouldn't have had to play so physical as you said. And no doubt he had all the talent in the world...and when healthy delivered...I just question his leadership which again being under Messier wouldn't have been an issue.

Also you can't forget the GM for Philly never addressed the goaltending issues...I mean if you get to the Finals with Garth Snow...surely you can pick up somebody in the free agency to get back right? You would think.

Also what I said about Chicago trading Belfour...they did a year later...but they had Hasek behind him. Maybe Chicago could've won it that year. Hasek was traded a few seasons later to Buffalo and we all know the rest of that story.

[Taur3asi3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trick_

Also you can't forget the GM for Philly never addressed the goaltending issues...I mean if you get to the Finals with Garth Snow...surely you can pick up somebody in the free agency to get back right? You would think.

Bobby Clarke when he was in Philly as GM always had that revolving door for goalies, Roussel, Soderstrom, Hextall, Snow, Vanbiesbrouck, Boucher, Cechmanek, Esche, Burke, Niittymaki and im probably forgetting 1 or 2. You really cant win if you have that much turnover at the most important position.