Eric Lindros Sets Record Straight On Decision To Not Play For Quebec | Home Team Heroes

Eric Lindros sits down with Tara Slone to discuss the situation with the Quebec Nordiques, the trade to the Philadelphia Flyers and much more.
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[@tomwilson3969]

Him refusing to play there was the best thing that could have happened to Colorado

[@blairrogers3450]

@ a guy named Peter Forsberg

@@blairrogers3450 wait so he was traded for Peter Forsberg? If so, who was better?

[@tomwilson3969]

@ Honestly Lindros was the better player but Forsberg had the better career. But it wasnt just forsberg. There was a few pieces in that trade that were big reasond the Avs won the cup. That and getting Patrick Roy for next to nothing from montreal.

[@LOUI-e7h]

No way lindros was better. Skating with your head up is a required skill to be a better player

[@e-rod1596]

I don't know, Lindros, Sakic, Nolan, Sundin and Kamensky on the same team wouldn't be too shabby.

[@Islanders83]

He was a guest instructor at a hockey camp I attended in Guelph, Ontario in 94. He was really cool and genuinely wanted to be there and teach. He went to Center ice, got on one knee and asked us which Post we wanted him to hit with his shot, and he’d hit it exactly where we told him too. Fun guy.

[@laalki80]

Cool story, bro. Honestly. The uSe of CaPitaliSm just throws me off. Let's just agree he's a fungi.

[@JSnipes-nb7uy]

LamE, wish I could say nice try bUt I cAnt’t.

[@DB-gr7ch]

Becoming an instant nobody can do that to an egomaniac.

[@jimmybonez8928]

CENTRE ice!!! CENTRE!!!!

[@DB-gr7ch]

@@jimmybonez8928 Spelling police. Worse than meter maids.

[@40ftofconcrete]

Eric was the complete package. Best power forward of all time in fact. For an unfortunately short period of time due to concussions, he was better than anyone before him or anyone since. He could hit like Pronger, score like Gretzky, pass like Oates and fight like Grimson.

[@Dr.Acula76]

Cam Neely

[@patrickhall6627]

The numbers simply do not back up your claims, though he was an undeniably great player, of course.

[@jackbowie3594]

Gordon Howe was the best power forward of all time.

[@CertifiedClapaholic]

Did you forget about Gordie Howe?

[@clamboni9]

@@Dr.Acula76 Lindros was the player that Bruins fans think Neely was. Don't get me wrong, Neely was great, but all of the things people remember Neely being great for, Lindros did better.

[@bluemountain555]

Kudos to Joe Sakic to play for the Quebec Nordiques and he was very humble over it. As a result, he was rewarded by two Stanley Cups in Colorado.

[@Seraph89_]

And 3rd as a GM. The man is one of the best at his role

[@Team.L]

And P. Forsberg

[@joeshark8000]

Eric should have played for Nordiques he wood have been treated like a king,and soon wood have had a couple of Stanley cups with Colorado,and he should have played with his head up, wood have seen trouble coming.🤔🏒👍

[@jasonberwick3860]

yes and cry baby Eric got NO cups which is what he deserved

[@BWyatt76]

@@joeshark8000 If Lindros played for the Nordiques, they probably wouldn't have moved to Colorado

[@mburrill94]

Lindros didn't want to play for the Soo Greyhounds, either, so they traded him and won the Memorial Cup anyway in 1993!

[@dutchcanuck3102]

Tbf, so did he in Oshawa

[@thetruthhurts6652]

Michael David yeah this interview is total bs. He was young and he was controlled. He never showed up in the Sault and Quebec because his parents wanted him close to home and in big market cities.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@thetruthhurts6652 Other players have done the exact thing. I recall Dave Gardner and Paul Reinhart refusing to go to Peterborough at different times in the 1970's, forcing trades to play in Toronto and Kitchener, respectively. Not the first time.

[@thetruthhurts6652]

James Anthony Absolutely not the first time. Lindros was probably the biggest name to do so.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@thetruthhurts6652 Yes, I can't remember a bigger name.

[@mikeappleyard1898]

Terrible interview, he says "I didn't want to play for that owner". Okay, so WHY did you not want to play for that owner? It's a simple follow up question.

[@register1430]

yes, a softball reporter. .... " eric, you don't even want to call him by his name, what did he do to you? " Hard news, soft , sports, weather if this is her style she's not a very good. First hearing the comments here about the ME TOO side of Aubut.

[@dzanier]

You're right. She went soft on him.

[@alexkayak6587]

he prob told her prior to the interview it was off limits and would not answer either way.

[@jamesanthony5681]

In 1991, I had assumed Lindros believed that Aubut could not be trusted and he was either going to pack up shop and move the franchise to the US, or he was going to sell the team, in which case the new owner(s) would then relocate the team. That was my take of the situation. Eric did not get into specifics - as was his want - and because of that he was crucified in the media, particularly as it came just a few years after refusing to play for the Sault in the OHL. Lindros probably told her (Tara Stone) prior to the interview that the reason was Aubut and he was not going to say anything more than that.

[@jasonsfun31]

I think she was actually respectful, unlike many interviewers that push and push. Pretty sure there were ground rules set before it happened. He didn’t have to go into particulars, he made his choice for apparently good reasons. Someone above mentioned there were quite a bit? of things that came out about that owner that were less than “honourable “ we’ll say. So I guess he got the heads up and said no way. But it’s easy for media to twist things around and make Eric out to be the bad guy in all of it. We’ve all seen it before in one way or another.

[@isaacsalmi427]

Forsberg and Lindros both had careers cut short or not full potential because of injuries. Both are hall of famers and in their own way were among or the most dominant players of their era at some point. Would Quebec/ Colorado won those cups if Lindros had played there? Who knows. I think Quebec/Colorado came out better for this whole ordeal but it's fun to speculate.

[@tommywallbanger]

I'm a Flyers fan and I know that this trade made the Avalanche the team they were. I liked Lindros but in hindsight I would have rather had Forsberg but who knows how it would have went down had they played on different teams. You never know.

[@ericw3229]

The trade was a key reason Colorado won it in 1996

[@BloggerMusicMan]

Given what came out about Marcel Aubut later with harassment in Hockey Canada, it gives Lindros' story a whole lot more credibility. He did not seem like a particularly good guy.

[@gynandroidhead]

Do people in Canada relate this in any way to the 1983 NFL Draft with John Elway and the Baltimore Colts, except the Baltimore Colts (soon to be Indianapolis Colts) received the antithesis of equity the Nordiques got for Lindros?

[@MMGJ10]

I've been watching hockey for 30 years and never knew about Aubet being the reason. Always thought he just refused to play for that franchise. I gained some respect for him here.

[@BloggerMusicMan]

@@gynandroidhead There are a lot of NFL fans in Canada, but the Elway affair and football in general doesn't have anything like the same cultural resonance, so the two aren't compared at all.

[@gynandroidhead]

@@BloggerMusicMan Thank you very much for your reply. At least Quebec got a great return on the trade unlike Bob Irsay did with Denver!

[@gynandroidhead]

@Marvin Santana I was a student at the University of Maryland when the Mayflower trucks went into action.

[@RandyDubin]

Well, to be fair, Eli Manning & John Elway did something similar to Lindros in the NFL and nobody threw them underneath the bus....

[@tomcalvin232]

Philip rivers made people forget about Eli and Baltimore hates elway so there's always pros and cons.philly and avs had good run.

[@OaksArm]

There’s no love for Elway in Baltimore but nobody really cares anymore, I don’t think.

[@johnathankorkie4984]

Hockey has more class then those sports

[@paulhupka8928]

Yeah but for some reason hockey fans are very sensitive with the past and don't give second chances lol.

[@Edb007th]

To be fairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@rkymtn9335]

He did same with Soo Greyhounds in the OHL prior; they went on to win Memorial Cup just like Colorado did winning Stanley Cup in 1996. Hounds got great trades from Oshawa to stack the team in exchange for Lindros refusing to play in the Soo.

[@mattgrant57]

Patrick Roy demanding a trade was what got Colorado the cup in 1996.

[@steamcarecc]

@@mattgrant57 Matt the Lindros trade was probably the largest gift in the history of the NHL. Yes Roy was integral in the cup wins, but how did Colorado acquire the best goalie in the NHL (hint... Lindros) Colorado acquired Patrick Roy in a trade for Jocelyn Thibault ( 1st round draft pick from EL). Also acquired Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, future considerations -which eventually became Chris Simon, an additional first-round draft picks, and $15 million (helps pay Roy salary). Roy likely does not go to Col without the Lindros trade.

[@mattgrant57]

@@steamcarecc Thank you for the refresher...I was in high school when all of this went down. I lived through it. But your points are very valid. Quebec was doomed until this happened. I watched all of their games in french on TQS when I was a kid in Cole Harbour and often ventured into Halifax to watch the Nords farm team play...the Citadels! :)

[@steamcarecc]

@@mattgrant57 Cole Harbour, Matt you have hockey in your blood!

[@patricklee4581]

@@steamcarecc lol you're a joke if you think the primary piece coming back was Thibault. Whoever the goalie was at the time of the Roy trade in Colorado would have gone back the other way. Pay Roy Salary? what? there was no cap back then and COMSAT Entertainment Group doesn't relocate to Colorado if they didn't have money. Considering the 15 million went to the previous owner and not the Comsat group. Ruchinsky was the primary piece coming back the other way, considering Roy was never coming back to play for the Habs.

[@phillycardshark9257]

Absolute beast. Loved in philly. Will always have philly in his corner....and I knew back in 91 why he didn't want to play for Marcel...and the reasons were valid then and now.

[@retrominer5755]

What do an owner’s dalliances have to do with a drafted player playing for that team? Did Aubut make advances toward Eric?

[@tmac2798]

as a kid during this time we did not care we loved watching him. We all pretended to be him during road hockey in the streets. You the man Eric, keep your head up big guy

[@mikezap61]

Nobody I know pretended to be Lindros , nothing against Eric

[@TheFlamingPike]

@@mikezap61 For real lol we all played as Lemieux or Gretzky back then.

[@BaldHeadedManc]

@@mikezap61 so cause no one "you knew" pretended to be him... That matters how? Just a truly insane lack of self awareness 😂

[@mikezap61]

@@BaldHeadedManc I never said it matters . Nobody could ever reply to anything with your idiotic logic. Beat It Sister 🤪

[@svart_kors]

I looked upon Eric unfavourably back then, even though I was (still am), a Whalers fan and had no skin in the game. I see his point though now that time has passed and appreciate all he did for the game. Seems like a good man.

[@v4v819]

Best thing to happen to the franchise. It relocated to a bigger more lucrative market and they won 2 cups for a big part thanks to the trade!

[@wesleystout2200]

Thanks! Glad you got it done. Colorado Avs fan. What a softball interview. No follow up questions to some very vague answers.

[@mickeypaul6980]

It’s CBC , very delicate and full of agendas. If it doesn’t fit there political narrative they will bail out . I grew up watching and loving hockey night in Canada until the last 10 years they’ve turned into a rainbow flag liberal indoctrination program. Has nothing to do with the game . I will never watch nhl hockey again . I’m not a conservative ether . Politics do not belong in the game .

[@amberschuster1823]

Always loved the way you played. I , like you was born London Ontario, and I grew up in The GTA. I saw you play when you were 14-15 yrs old and I knew you were going to be a 🌟 in the NHL. You could level people like a Mac Truck you could skate fast & you have good hands. People were always trying to get you with checks when you couldn't see them coming, probably getting you back for a clean hard check. I was happy you were on my team (Maple Leafs) to bad it was at the end before Dallas , The Leafs & Flyers have been my 2 top teams since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It was good to watch you play. Eric your the man , thanks for your generosity to University Hospital, hoping to stop seeing great players careers end with concussions. Nice family you have bro , glad you got inducted into the HHOF. Cheers man you and your family stay safe.🍻🥂👍👍💪

[@tomcalvin232]

I loved Scott Stevens as a kid.i got older, watched replays and realized he was crushing guys in the head who didn't have the puck

[@MineCraftDadnSon]

Tom Calvin yep

[@charleswilbur8765]

It was a different time. If he played today, in 2020, he wouldn’t have played like that. He understood what was legal and illegal

[@bobkuboske6494]

@@charleswilbur8765 very true, but he was still a very dirty player

[@elidevenny6936]

Hahaha, great comment! (truth)

[@bobkuboske6494]

I just watched an old playoff game between the avs and the Oilers and everytime Miller was on the ice against Marchant, Marchant got a wicked elbow. He would just go to the bench and get stitched up on his face somewhere and keep playing. It's quite amazing how much the nhl has changed since 98

[@davemarnell8871]

Such a great time in Flyers history, the Lindros teams. Always had suspect goaltending that let in soft goals at the worst times. But they had style.

[@robins5798]

I remember that goal Hextall let in against the Devils in game 5 of the 1995 CF. Game was tied (as well as the series) with a couple of minutes left and Claude Lemieux scored on a slapper from outside the blueline that beat Hextall down low close to his right skate. A goal that basically killed the Flyers that year. The Red Wings scored similar goals on Snow and Hextall during the 1997 Cup Finals.

[@burkzzy]

And zero cups

[@shanefelkel9966]

Maybe, but Hextall was one of the most beloved Flyers, along with LeClair.

[@tonym2513]

@@shanefelkel9966 all of us here in Hockeytown LOVED Hextall. Probably for different reasons tho…

[@robins5798]

@@burkzzy You don't win cups with goalies who post sub .900 save percentages and routinely give up horrendous goals at critical moments during playoffs.

[@runnerover]

He didn't like the owner! You're welcome.

[@Slabbe1337]

You're*

[@adognamedmiley6848]

His mom was molested by the owner

[@xavierbarralaga8044]

A Dog Named Miley what?????

[@adognamedmiley6848]

@@xavierbarralaga8044 yep, he sexually assaulted her at an event. They tried to expose him but it was basically a rich dudes PR firm against an average family.

[@xavierbarralaga8044]

A Dog Named Miley wow crazy

[@goatmanindustries7182]

As a flyers fan I am happy that it worked out that he played for Philly. He shouldn't be hated or have ever been hated for his decision to not play for a team especially due to him not seeing eye to eye with the owner of the team. Not everyone gets along or will they never always agree with everything.

[@laalki80]

I think there was something more serious than not seeing eye-to-eye there, but yeah! My teenage years in Finland were pasted with Lindros posters and I'm seriously thinking would I trade Lindros for the Cup...

[@0canadiens81]

That's ridiculous. He should have been made to play for whoever. You can't pick and choose. He's a Wendy winer.

[@laalki80]

@@0canadiens81 Now THAT's ridiculous. You think the players are some kind of slaves with no agency of their own? Quebec held his contract for a season, making him miss the season and then agreed to a trade.

[@brexxebender1204]

Shame the concussions happened- I grew up watching the flyers and remember seeing Eric for the first time and being like JESUS this guy is huge!!!!

[@treadhead]

DARIUS KASPERITIS, KASPER THE FRIENDLY PENGUIN, ERIC SKATING WITH THE PUCK & HIS HEAD & EYES DOWN , THE HIT ------ OUCH . ERIC , THE BIG GUY , A LOT OF HOCKEY TALENT , SHAME ON THOSE INJURIES, ERIC , STAY HEALTHY & STAY INVOLVED WITH ALL ASPESTS FOR HOCKEY !!!!!!!

[@ovechkin100]

yea he was big alright! but unfortunately he was definitely juicing.

[@thaturaniumguy]

Several years later, time would prove Lindros was right, as several allegations of sexual harrassment doomed Marcel Aubut's career.

[@daveyboy_]

Why , did he sexually harass Eric ?

[@daveyboy_]

@@thaturaniumguy Other than he looks like a diddler i dont know how he'd have that type of info . He didnt want to play in Quebec cause of all the endorsement $ he was gonna lose out on. Quebec City was the Siberia of the NHL , Like Hartford or Winterpeg

[@thaturaniumguy]

@@daveyboy_ Good for you

[@kennycai8695]

@@daveyboy_ No, not Eric, but I heard somewhere that Aubut made crass remarks about his mother. Take it with a grain of salt, cause my source is hearsay and not exactly credible.

[@bmoshareholderappleshareho855]

@@daveyboy_ no the WHA fell apart. Look at the cities they picked, Hartford, Quebec City, Winnipeg. Look at the cities the NHL picked, Toronto, Montreal, New York,. Those are very major cities.

[@RayFinkle05]

Been to a lot of charity golf tournaments. Most NHL guys would ignore the people there and would just go drink beer at the bar and talk amongst themselves. Eric was the only guy I saw consistently that understood why he was there and would actively socialize with the regular people there. Also donated a lot of money to the Fowler Clinic. Once again showing that the media are liars. If I were him, I never would have sat down for an interview like this.

[@anthonys3631]

He should have just been honest about it from the get go in stating his dislike of Marcel Aubut. Rather than having to make up every excuse of not wanting to play in Quebec City.

[@Steezboy3000]

Im glad he did the interview. Nothing wrong with setting the record straight, even if he didnt deserve to get dragged through the mud so hard. People today still rip on him when in reality he was one of the guys really trying to set the league in a better direction.

[@lucashenderson2775]

​​​@@anthonys3631I don't know if you've heard this story but it goes that when Eric and his family went up to Quebec to meet with the Nordiques, Aubut reportedly made a vulgar sexual remark in French because he figured the Lindroses wouldn't understand what he was saying since they were Anglophones. However, Bonnie could speak French and understood every word. Obviously I wasn't in the room with them and neither was the person I heard it from, but I do think it lines up with why Eric has such an intense dislike of Aubut personally. Given the accusations of sexual harassment that Aubut has faced, I personally think there's credibility behind that.

[@anthonys3631]

@@lucashenderson2775 agreed and a thumbs up from me. As well Aubut had a deal done already with the Flyers but then went ahead and made deals with 3 other teams SMH! The Flyers were ticked off about it and said basically 'screw you, we had a deal done already". An arbitrator had to be assigned and ruled in the Flyers favor.

[@lucashenderson2775]

@@anthonys3631 Also, Carl Lindros didn't do himself any favors either but I also saw that a major reason he pushed Eric to demand a trade out of Quebec was because he had serious misgivings and suspicions about how Aubut did business. Unfortunately, he was right and the people of Quebec found out the hard way in the summer of 1995.

[@cwhite3014]

If the Flyers ever could've landed a goalie Lindros would have had multiple cups. He was freakin super man out there, and when things started to get chippy in a game, the Legion of Doom hit the ice and the other team started behaving. It was an incredible thing to see.

[@Hallucination]

No they wouldn't have.

[@ry4nx]

unless they were playing the devils

[@cwhite3014]

If the Flyers had Brodeur they would have had twice the cups the devils had

[@tonym2513]

Except Detroit. Detroit just broke their backs and their faces and treated them like prison wives imo. Legion of Doom had no shot against the Bruise Brothers. Lindros always looked average against them, amirite?

[@cwhite3014]

@@tonym2513 Detroit beat Garth Snow and Ron Hextal. No great accomplishment there.

[@lelys1018]

As a Nordique, Québécois, thanks for clearing things up. For a weird reason, I knew there was something odd about Aubut. Thanks for your honest answers. Respect

[@squirelly6175]

It's a load of bs.... it had nothing to do with the owner and everything to do with Quebec.

[@lelys1018]

@@squirelly6175 Please elaborate, you got me curious

[@squirelly6175]

He did everything his Dad told him to do .... his Dad was a bigot and hated Quebec. He was the main reason Eric didn't play in Quebec.

[@jogendron6320]

Was his dad at his wedding? Cuz he married a French Canadian. Oops.

[@ICraneI]

He’s a great guy personally. I have messaged him for the past 3 months and he’s been very personable, humble, and kind. Love the guy

[@euchalob]

Messaged him by email?

[@ICraneI]

@@euchalob direct message on Instagram, he replied in like 2 days

[@ICraneI]

@@euchalob i got lots of stuff autographed he was really helpful, took about 3 months but that’s with shipping from US-Can-US and with COVID.

[@euchalob]

@@ICraneI Wow, that’s amazing!! What does he do now? Still involved in hockey? I know a few years ago he was involved in some concussion policy discussions in youth sports in Ontario.

[@schoowoolovesbooboo2170]

Make me an offer on a trading card of him on the generals, been in hard plastic since new.

[@renehoude7705]

I am from Quebec city and worked at Le Colisée at the time. I agree with him for his reasons to not play for the particular owner.

[@devinbrines]

What did Lindros not like about him?

[@Thinker669]

​@@devinbrinesThe Nordiques had financial troubles caused them to sell the team to move to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche.

[@retrominer5755]

When a sports league drafts you play by the rules. He was a spoiled brat

[@sewitaliano7423]

Great interview. I'm glad he explained it clearly, good on him for making that decision for himself. He was a great player.

[@retrominer5755]

When a sports league drafts you, play by the rules.

[@rogercrites8945]

Glad I watched this. Didn't like him back then, but in hindsight it was more likely due to media spin on refusing to play for Nordiques. He seemed pretty genuine in this interview and did a good job explaining his position. Too bad it took so long.

[@bobcarlsson4]

Actually, Bonnie made the decision!

[@MarquisdeSuave]

Ill take Peter Forsberg over Lindros, any day, any time.

[@stormrider927]

Nope not in their Prime at 100% health. Lindros would have been in the same category as Gretzky Lemieux Richard etc

[@vrokhlenko]

@@stormrider927 Gretzky is in his own category

[@sosuapimp8449]

Lindros was great before the concussions

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@stormrider927 Whoa! Eric was a physically dominant player, but Wayne and Mario are in separate categories, with Wayne getting the edge over Mario. And that's no disrespect to Mr. Lindros.

[@anthonyligato4773]

Lindros was in a league of his own when healthy. Never had the cast of Forsberg, and I'll take Sakic over Forsberg, also had the goaltending...

[@choosenone2die]

People in Quebec thought that Lindros didn't like French speakers and their culture, which is totally false. He married Kina Lamarche (French name) in Montreal. We judged him without knowing the real reason. His mother was sexually harassed by Marcel Aubut, the owner of the Nordiques. Aubut has been in court for other cases of harassment by other women. When Lindros came on the french show Everybody talk about it, a lot of people changed their minds about Eric Lindros. He's a really good person and a really cool guy.

[@Kata-l7l]

The best thing Lindros could have done for the Nordiques was not play them. The franchise went on to become a juggernaut in hockey and the closest Lindros's Flyers got was being swept by the Red Wings in 97. Lindros may have been huge, but I think his genetics were not built to absorb the punishment of a physical game like hockey. The Stevens hit is famous for ending Lindros's career, but Lindros had an entire career full of concussion issues. If that hit by Stevens didn't end his career, it wouldn't have been very long before a different hit by another player did. Lindros's brother also had a shortened career plagued by concussion issues. Some peoples bodies are just more prone to injury due to genetics while others are built like tanks.

[@glennmartin9043]

This clip is quite a revelation. I never cared much for Lindros as a person, but this shows him in a whole new and positive light.

[@Wellh0wrya]

Ya doesn’t happen often a first round draft decides not to play “for an owner” ….he’s lucky even to have played in the show…

[@Brotha00]

⁠@@Wellh0wryathat’s not true in any sport. It’s a bargaining tool in the bigger picture. John Elway is an example.

[@Reel-Justice]

Eric is full of it here. The same Eric Lindros refused play for Sault-Ste-Marie and the owner of the Greyhounds wasn't the same owner as the Quebec Nordiques.

[@theworstguitarever1470]

Colorado got a Cup team for Lindros

[@adognamedmiley6848]

Thanks to the habs... I'm pretty sure thilbault wouldn't have taken them there.

[@bigsteed007]

A Dog Named Miley, as much as I didn’t care for Roy back in the day, I agree.

[@theworstguitarever1470]

Roy was great no doubt there

[@jamesanthony5681]

Not really. In Dec/95, Colorado got Patrick Roy from Montreal. How did THAT work out for the Avalanche?

[@Lama-Su]

@@adognamedmiley6848 And where did thilbault come from ? oh thats right the Lindros trade.

[@crazyralph6386]

Although it may not of showed, but the players who doled out body checks to #88 were also getting severely injured and concussed.

[@banditt59]

Growing up a Flyer's fan just walking distance to the arena, I obviously didn't care what his reasons were for not wanting to play for Quebec. I enjoyed his time here and only wish we could have won a cup with him.

[@shanefelkel9966]

Never knew the reason behind that. And I'm assuming what he says is true. Feel bad for Quebec now. They deserve a team. Love the idea of a Quebecois rivalry between the Habs and the Nordiques. Miss the Whalers too. The one-time Adams division was the best in hockey (at least for rivalries sake). Sabres fan here in Georgia, but also miss the Atlanta Flames. Course their move did Calgary a lot of good. If they had to move, I'm glad it was to a Canadian city. Why is it the relocated teams always seem to win a cup a few years after they move? Hurricanes (from Whalers), Avalanche (from Nordiques), Stars (from Minnesota), Calgary (from Atlanta). Even the Ravens (from Cleveland) in the NFL.

[@cooperwolfe5478]

Not too mention the Washington Nationals winning the World Series several years after leaving Montreal. And another example could be when the Rams won the Super Bowl while based in St. Louis after relocating their from Los Angeles.

[@danielbreslow4959]

I understand Eric's decision. He did the right thing!

[@dnasty312]

The other question I have is would Quebec have been able to keep him. If Lindros had signed, this team would have had *three* HOF number one centers: Lindros, Sundin and Sakic. And when Colorado won the Cup in 1996, none of Quebec's #1 overall picks from 1989-1991 were on the team anymore

[@retrominer5755]

How was it the right thing? When you get drafted by a sports league guys gotta play by the rules or the.integrity of the league and draft are undermined

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@retrominer5755 How'd that work out for John Elway when he was drafted by the Colts in '83? Marcel Aubut was president of the Nordiques when the team was sold and ended up moving to Denver.

[@thomasjefferson8422]

So many great players and great teams throughout nhl history. 99% of those teams,players do not win the Cup. Lindros throughout the years was worth the trade. So many amazing thrills watching him as a Flyer. No regrets, he was the best all around complete package ever!

[@mountainbikelife2526]

I'm happy that Eric lindros explained what happened he is a great hockey player awesome fit in philly Forsberg was terrific in Quebec

[@robmessa5402]

Funny how it's 30 years later and the emotion over that decision is STILL raw on both sides. Is Eric being completely honest? Does Quebec believe him or fully forgive him? Seems like NO from this exchange.

[@DrSalvelinus]

SO WHY DIDN'T HE PLAY FOR THE SOO GREYHOUNDS? HE DID THE EXACT SAME SELFISH STUNT IN THE OHL.

[@JamiePittsSCM]

Lucas Schmiedendorf this is really a convenient excuse for him to save face in post nhl life.

[@reubination]

Why is it selfish? Because Soo is “your” team? Ya clown

[@DrSalvelinus]

@@reubination he's a crybaby. that's his legacy.

[@arcticmonkey3]

reubination he didn’t want To play there. Period. Tit.

[@moriellymoproblems7842]

@@JamiePittsSCM He's in the HOF, he doesn't need to save face for fat keyboard warriors like yourself.

[@tomblyth533]

Eric the rest of the world was on your side and agreed the Quebec market was too small and you play where you want. No need to explain a damn thing to anyone. It was amazing watching you play for who ever you played for. Toronto here ; )

[@abraxas511]

Any fans who believe that had the nords stayed in quebec they would have won the cup because of the trade of Lindros need to ask themselves if they think that Montreal would have dealt Patrick Roy to the nords. There goes your cup.

[@jawandasss]

Ur rite, habs would never trade roy to Nords

[@justinsolomita9283]

There goes both cups! You wouldn't have won anything with Jocelyn Thibault in net. Decent goaltender but not Patrick Roy, not by a Longshot!

[@paolo197536]

As a Flyers fan for 44 years, this entire scenario was blown way out of proportion. Did the trade hurt the Flyers? Absolutely, but it's nice to see Eric made amends with Quebec City just to show that he had no ill feeling towards them.

[@patrickboulanger7184]

Well I'm glad Quebec got Forsberg, in my book Peter was the better player but too bad Colorado was the team to enjoy the 2 cup stanley

[@sam93931]

Montreal would have never traded Patrick Roy to the Nordique, so Quebec wouldn't have win a cup either way.

[@MarquisdeSuave]

@@sam93931 yeah, but they did, and the Avs won.

[@sam93931]

@@MarquisdeSuave no they didn't?!Colorado won the cup with an excellent trade with Montreal that got them their star player. Quebec did nothing of that.

[@stormrider927]

At 100% healthy and in their Prime Lindros was head and shoulders above Forsberg!

[@anthonyligato4773]

Disagree heavily, Lindros was better

[@Faulkdizzleyearsand]

Will always like Lindros! Size, skill and talent....absolutely dominated ohl

[@tomwilson8227]

Character is another main point with those 3. Arguably the most important one!

[@cancersurvivor9992]

At the 1992 Winter Olympics in France, I ran across Eric when he attended the 3rd Place game between the USA/Czech Republic. I asked Eric at the time if he had been drafted by San Jose (#2 pick) would he have signed with them. It is almost 30 years later yet I will never forget his answer: "Yes, I just wanted to play some place that cared about winning."

[@gargouenzene]

😂 what did he win in philly ? Nothing ! The moron would have won the cup with Colorado 😂

[@cancersurvivor9992]

@@gargouenzene Maybe not! Knowing all Philly had to give up to acquire him and knowing the Avs would have had to give up a lot, too - maybe the Avs don't win the Cup if they acquire Lindros

[@retrominer5755]

Duh! The NHL team that gets the 1st draft pick is never gonna look like a winner because the last place team got the 1st pick. When you join a sports league you play by the rules

[@cancersurvivor9992]

@@retrominer5755 It had nothing to do with the team - as much as the owner.

[@retrominer5755]

@@cancersurvivor9992 it had to with $$$$$$$

[@ianross806]

Interviewer didn't ask what was it about Aubut that he (and his parents) disliked.

[@cable46]

Who needs enemies when you have friends like Ron Maclean?

[@johnyguitar1469]

Ron New Canada Mclean

[@moriellymoproblems7842]

Ok boomer

[@mustardtigerbaaaaaam]

MoRiellyMoProblems that’s tolerant and progressive lol bigot

[@Trump4Life2024]

@@moriellymoproblems7842 so you're a Hillary guy

[@robrodarme1730]

As a Quebec Nordique fan, I would like to thank Eric Lindros for the opportunity to watch Peter Forsberg win 2 Stanley Cups!!

[@Just_a_Man780]

Yeah but it wasnt in Quebec😭😭

[@bricklaine4617]

Haha. Me too

[@thecaynuck4694]

@@Just_a_Man780 Doesn't matter.

[@Just_a_Man780]

@@thecaynuck4694 As a Nordics fan whi lives in Quebec, it does lmaooo

[@sheldonwalker2295]

Wasn't for Canada

[@thaturaniumguy]

In exchange for Lindros, Québec Nordiques got : Steve Duchesne Peter Forsberg Ron Hextall Kerry Huffman Mike Ricci $15M cash 1993 1st round pick (#10-Jocelyn Thibault) future considerations (Chris Simon 1994 1st round pick (#10-Nolan Baumgartner))

[@Lama-Su]

I call BS on his excuse. Hes taking the easy route in this explanation. Cop out reasoning. The real reason was $$$, Its always the defining factor for everyone. Ended up being better for Quebec/Colorado in the end anyway. Forsberg, Kerry Huffman, Steve Duchesne, Mike Ricci, Chris Simon, Ron Hextall, Adam Deadmarsh, Patrick Roy & 15 mil was a steal of a deal.

[@visartist]

what a joke. sports journalists are generally a laughing stock but to call that an interview or eric setting the record straight is comical.

[@archangel555555]

Care to elaborate...🤷

[@jean-francoispilote5751]

As much as Marcel Aubut was an a-hole (opportunistic timing by Lindros to say this publicly after his disgraceful exit from IOC), both parties had major red flags. Before the Nordiques, Lindros and his parents pulled the same stunt in juniors: refusing to play for team that drafted him (Greyhounds) and asked for a trade.

[@danielsarn3823]

Love Eric, glad he stood his ground with what he believed in. So sick and tired of the salty comments about Scott Stevens.

[@brianpistolwhip]

Scott Stevens was a goon. He ended people's careers.

[@scottm9010]

My friend and I ran into him leaving Cobbs Colosseum. My friend asked him for an autograph and he rudely blew him off. The guy’s a jerk.

[@vicdamon3551]

I don’t know. He could have said this then

[@thricefx]

Well he was only 18 and you can also tell he is a pretty private, sensitive person. I'm sure all the commotion that ensued was overwhelming and as he put it, unexpected.

[@adognamedmiley6848]

yeah he did, the Nordiques owner had their family shut down in the media with his PR firm

[@jamesanthony5681]

He did. The issue was Aubut, and he mentioned him by name in 1991. The French press (some of them) jumped on this and accused him of being anti-French, etc.. He took a lot of heat.

[@bookemdanno5596]

@@jamesanthony5681 He did *NOT* say this then. Come on, now. They "shut down the media?" Who was he, Joseph Goebbels? Give me a break. Break out your tin foil hats!

[@Krokodilius]

does anyone know why he didn't want to play for marcel aubut? i looked at his wiki and it didn't mention any controversies (at least in 1991).

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

I totally randomly met Eric taking the elevator at work to get coffee, lol, because his lawyer or manager or something was in the same building. Cool dude.

[@88Freefall]

Honestly never knew this, respects for Lindros for keeping his head and making a decision that he thought was right

[@michaelfrazia4569]

islanders fan here...Lindros was an absolute handful and always kept his name clean. one of the all time greats in his prime and anyone who says he wasn't is basing it on his decision. that like of lindros , LeClair, and renberg was the best in the league for a time...we on the island had a lindros too. his career was cut short for some of the same issues

[@michaelr.4878]

No matter how good he was, when I think of Eric Lindros, I think about Scott Stevens' shoulder.

[@paly4827]

But why did he not want to play for the owner man. He is literally telling us things we already know

[@srcodling]

"I must not have explained myself very well". Yep, and you still haven't. You don't have to be a PR firm to explain what exactly made you refuse to play for that one particular person, given that it essentially never ever happens.

[@christopherlascelle7157]

He just didn't want to say his mom didn't want him playing there and she may not have explained it to him very well !!

[@clos6613]

Ever thought that its personal to him and he wants to keep it that way. We dont need to know every single thing about an athletes. This isn't TMZ. Its sports

[@srcodling]

@@clos6613 Which is fine. Just don't say you're explaining yourself and then not explain yourself...

[@clos6613]

@@srcodling he did. He said he didn't want to play for that owner. Respect a person's privacy and move on with ur life

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Are you allowed to choose your employer?

[@kellysavalas5937]

Not gonna lie...he seems humble. I think it's really good to see.

[@retrominer5755]

Lindros and humility go together like oil and water

[@mab]

I don't think he has ever answered the question: why did he refuse to play for Aubut ?

[@mraznbeast93]

Cause apparently Aubut harassed Lindros' mother or sth like that

[@kevinmach730]

There was really nothing answered in this video, to be honest. And there were other reasons he chose not to play there, I don't recall all of them anymore. Not questioning his right to do what he wants or throwing shade, just saying this is a very watered down version of the story.

[@teddycaster248]

Hello, I hockey fan from Eastern Europe. It always be question for me why Eric not played for team which drafted him? I hear different opinions which fly to Europe from other side of ocean, and most common be “Eric be big Flyers fan and always dreamed to play Flyers”. I always condemn Lindros, because it be not respect to Nordiques fans which rely on him. And it be against Draft how hockey system which must be work like the balance of power for NHL teams, and help not strong teams got top drafts and build they bright future. I thought what can be if Mario Lemieux not play for Pens (he wanted to play for Montreal Canadians) and Mario needed time to agree to go to Pittsburgh, and how we knew now it be his destiny. I very happy what saw this video with Eric, and after a decades I understand what Eric’s reasons be much serious, it be against Nordiques GM and not just wish to play for Flyers. I don’t know the details, but it not be because he not respect Nordiques team or it fans. Maybe if he better explain it in time when it all happens, fans better understand him, situation be more clear and no be so much fantasy or rumours about it. P.S.Sorry, for my poor English.

[@downthetubes]

Unfortunately concussions did him in. On another note, The Nordiques moved to Colorado in 95 and then the Avalanche won the cup in 1996 and 2001. Also the Avalanche had Patrick Roy who won the Stanley Cup with them and also won the Stanley Cup as a Montreal Canadiens who are the Quebec Nordiques rival. The mid-90s were not fun if you were s Quebec Nordiques fan.

[@bobt1346]

If they hadn't moved to Colorado, the Avs would NOT have had Patrick Roy, and Detroit would have won at least two more Cups in the 90's, if not more. No way in hell does Montreal trade Roy to the Nords, and with Detroit being the other front-runner, that's exactly where he'd have ended up.

[@MrCfogarty78]

second cousin bryan fogarty played for quebec

[@jogendron6320]

Big flop your cousin!

[@stephanejutras7148]

It is good to get the record straight once and for all. I'm not surprised that Marcel Aubut was the reason for his decision. So many things came out since then about Aubut's behaving. On the other hand, it's sad that Quebec didn't had the chance of having such a talented player. It's also sad that Mr Lindros had to cut short his career due to commotions. Unfortunately, we didn't had the chance to know the man behind the player in Quebec. Hope he's doing good and has not problem due to commotions.

[@anthonys3631]

He could've been honest about it right from the get go instead of using every anti french excuse of not wanting to play in Quebec City.

[@retrominer5755]

He’s on the record at the time saying he didn’t like Quebec’s lack of winning spirit

[@intellivisionmaster7999]

Is anyone buying that ? You don’t need a PR firm when you’re a #1 pick being swarmed by the media for a year. He didn’t want to play in Quebec. Period.

[@hunedog8693]

The only excuse that I and most people heard was his endorsement opportunities would be non existent in Quebec. Not a whisper of the owner differences at all.

[@dontpokethebear4190]

Must admit Eric was one of the few who refused to play for an owner.

[@ericwilliams1845]

He also didn’t report to the Greyhounds. Suppose you didn’t like their owner too. He was picky and didn’t want to go to either place just say that. If that makes you a whiner or baby then so be it

[@quiricomazarin476]

I'm not going to play for the quebec nordiques....pretty much was his stance. He never said I don't want to play under or for Marcel aubut or anything to do with him. Explain yourself better ....

[@bobkuboske6494]

I'm glad he did it, Quebec ended up getting Forsberg from this and ended up with a much better player and I was lucky enough to watch a superstar team growing up in Colorado.

[@brianhren1760]

I'm not sure why he's setting the record straight now it doesn't matter now in hindsight He actually did The Avalanche /Nordiqe franchise al favor The players that they got for lLindros helped them win 2v Stanley Cups while Eric got 0 cups

[@Von45Rose]

Thank you Mike! the interviewer was horrible! How about a follow up question as to what the hell did the owner do?

[@dutchcanuck3102]

Google is your friend

[@wes6244]

Start with googling Lindros + Aubut and you will understand why he probably told her prior to the interview that he won’t get into specifics.

[@dranderson6071]

Such a nice, genuine man.

[@nicopc65]

Lindros always had special treatment given to him throughout his career and never faced adversity, not wanted to go to greyhound in junior's, Quebec city in the pros , making the 1991 canada cup roster before well established nhlers like Sakic and Yzerman , I think Lindros is a big bust considering at the time that he was being called the next one.

[@bryanwilson2104]

He never said what his reason for not playing for the owner was, what was his beef with him ? If someone knows why help me out because it looks like an excuse and he just didn't want to play for the losing franchise

[@Michael-fw5ef]

This is what happens when you have an affirmative action hire and that new employee is interviewing a big star. She asks questions that have been asked dozens of times before and she offers no value to the viewers at all. When will we stop treating women like little children and demand of them the same we would demand of men?

[@clos6613]

Because if ur a good looking woman you get a pass working for the media. Especially in sports. Show me a fat ugly woman working as a sports broadcaster and I'll show you a 3 dollar bill lol

[@beerleaguehero]

Always loved & respected Lindros. At least he's honest about the entire situation just felt like he was jinxed by it as well.

[@ryana3679]

Anyone who had the power to choose where they play would not choose Quebec as a province to play in. Nothing against Quebec but the pressure playing for a Quebec team is not worth it.

[@leemiracle]

Is it worse than Toronto? (Genuinely curious)

[@CAMERONSGOGOJUICE]

I would 10x rather play in Quebec than Toronto, or anywhere in Alberta

[@ryana3679]

Taehwan Lee I would say Toronto and Alberta aren’t great but Quebec is horrible.

[@ryana3679]

Cameron GLKI Outside of downtown Montreal I wouldn’t want to live in Quebec. Visit? Sure. Live? Hell No.

[@lalalafamille]

I did not explain why... he is the only player in the league history refusing to play with the team that selected him... nothing to do with French people in Québec... Election and referendum ? Nothing to do with that only the owner ?

[@bartholomewesperanza3442]

I will always fight for an Eric’s right to choose

[@seanwebb605]

Soft ball questions lobbed in and he still isn't convincing. Why not go into how he blew up his career with the Flyers too?

[@diego5125]

Now I got it.. Thank you for clarifying 30 years of garbage. I'm a person who work with customers, maintenance services, and I always decide to whom I'm gonna offer my service to. Lindros, respect man.

[@ghostdaddy83]

I’m a little skeptical on this because he also said no to playing for the Sault Greyhounds in the OHL back in the day too. Does he have a reason for that as well? #momagent

[@Gman44324]

Shawn Mills 7.5 hour drive from home. When you are a number one overall you don’t have much of a choice. McDavid likely wouldn’t have want to play for Erie either but he learned from lindros mistakes. Many have since too. Now they make deals cause kids will say fine I’ll go to the USA and play there.

[@marcosrattenbury6944]

So did Gretzky but eventually relentent

[@ghostdaddy83]

I get it, being that young and being that far from home can be scary, however, the problem that Lindros did was that he never made it clear to the greyhounds organization or the Nordiques, he just kept it shady. All in all, you are right, a lot of players have learned to just play anywhere and be happy because they didn’t want the “lindros situation” to happen to them, but personally, having Eric explain himself so many decades later is inexcusable.

[@Gman44324]

Shawn Mills that I 100% agree. Why not just be honest. I mean I get the soo but I hear tons of rumours at the time that he’s get more exposure to marketing deals in the US if he played for a US team. The Soo I buy. The nordiques...meh not convinced.

[@chrisdurling9002]

Gman44324 I honestly don’t think he owes the mass public any explanation at all. He was a phenom that every team wanted and he didn’t want to play there.

[@phantom6715]

Flyers had to give up so much for Lindros. I wasn't happy about that. You should play for the team u were drafted to.

[@rickrobitaille8809]

Time to let this QUEBEC era go....ERIC has explained and does not need to keep explaining this anymore,he was a power forward who paid the ultimate price...and will go down to me as one of the greats of the game....i think the world of MR.LINDROS...

[@brentonontour]

great stuff tara

[@TheNewsstandMan]

Peter Forsberg. Stanley Cup, Hart, Art Ross, HOF. Lindros did the best he could, but he was forced by Clarke to be a beast, and I don’t think Eric had that DNA. He just happened to be big and strong, and that’s what the Flyers demanded from him. I’m split when it comes to Eric Lindros.

[@durrrrl3435]

Eric is a HOF too, and was more than just big and strong, jackass!!

[@JJGerrard1980]

I've worn 5 player's jerseys in my life: #23 Jordan, 13 Marino, #8 for Steven Gerrard, #80 for Jerry Rice, and 88 for Lindros. Guys was special.

[@Northbaylandscaping]

His decision not to play for an owner? Play for the team and take what you're given or at least try it out first

[@flamingo51144]

Knowing what we know now about Marcel Aubut, I made my peace with Eric Lindros and gain lot of respect for him when he put the Nordiques jersey on TV. Quebec forgiveness I suppose ;)

[@enriquebenedicto9429]

J'ai été étonné de voir à quel point il comprenait bien le français. Il ne semblait avoir aucunes difficultés à suivre. I too, gain some respect following both interviews.

[@retrominer5755]

Marcel Aubut’s personal forays had nothing to do with drafted players going there. Couple years earlier Sakic got drafted by Quebec and went to play there

[@eddieharcourt6049]

What was the problem with the Quebec owner? Lindros never qualifies what the issue was, just that he wouldn't play for him.

[@jamescheung4644]

What was about Aubut Lindros didn't like to not play for the Nordiques?

[@FooFahFoeFum]

To me Eric Lindros, was the bravest and most powerful hockey player I have ever seen …. He was fearless and was FEARED by his opponents.…. He had balls…. He was like Gallagher but more powerful, brutal with more scoring …. In 1991 after being drafted by the Quebec Nordiques, Eric Lindros refused (he had warned Quebec at pre-draft interviews) to play for Quebec and demanded to be traded from his draft day on…. He was 6 foot five, 240-pound center with an undeniable tenacity, grit, fearless and a scoring touch …. He would administer 4 to 6 body checks per game. Check: KZbin : ….Eric Lindros #88 - Highlights [HD] In 1992 in order to acquire Eric Lindros from the Quebec Nordiques, the Philadelphia Flyers gave up: - $15 million + two first round draft picks + six players which ended up being - Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon…. Lindros :- Fourth-fastest player in NHL history to score 300 points (210 games) behind Wayne Gretzky (159), Mario Lemieux (186) and Peter Šťastný (186) … Lindros: - Fourth-fastest player in NHL history to score 400 points (277 games) behind Wayne Gretzky (197), Mario Lemieux (240) and Peter Šťastný (247) … Lindros: - Fifth-fastest player in NHL history to score 500 points (352 games) behind Wayne Gretzky (234), Mario Lemieux (287), Peter Šťastný (322) and Mike Bossy (349) …. Lindros: - Sixth-fastest player in NHL history to score 600 points

[@justawinddown]

He got wrecked by much smaller players too often for someone his size. Konstantinov and Kasparitus crushed him a few times each.

[@FooFahFoeFum]

@@justawinddown You win 96 and lose 4. No one is perfect.

[@dutchcanuck3102]

And he did it in the dead puck era of the 90s

[@FooFahFoeFum]

@@theskidders471 Whatever, that means. Let us envision that this Monday Lindros was 25 years old. That us envision that he is traded to someone. Whoever lands him will reach the cup final. Think of Boston, Washington, Tampa, St Louis, Colorado. Whoever of the above has him, reaches the final.

[@theskidders471]

@Dee Gee forsberg won cups

[@pineapple97]

As great as Lindros was I would argue the Nordiques won the trade as they got Forsberg and got Roy for Thibault with one of the Flyers draft picks. The tragedy for Quebec is the team was in Colorado before the trade paid off.