For the record, I like Lindros. I don't necessarily hold it against him and I'm not one of those who try to take away from him as a player just because of what he did. And technically, when I say that yes you blame "him", it's actually his parents, for the most part.
Ya, Id kinda like to reel this in a bit & put into the proper context & setting, the time & era.... Lindros was absolutely hyped as "The Next One" and the kid delivered. An absolute Monster out there. Size, speed, skilled and seemingly matured beyond his years, had Scouts absolutely Drooling. It wasnt a case of some wannabe believing his own press. He was a product of his generation just as Bonnie & Carl Lindros were products of theirs who questioned everything...
So heres this Wunderkind, exactly the Life Saver Quebec City needed at that time, Franchise Player, and he & his family, from English Toronto of all the worst possible places rejects his selection by the Diques as 1st Pick. Like a stake through the heart to Quebec. Last nail in the coffin. So he's vilified, crucified, all thats wrong with the game & what it had become, a lightning rod for disenfranchised Quebecers' who for decades felt snubbed & disrespected by English Canada, its Capital Toronto & here this kid was throwing kerosene on the bonfire.
Quebec (along with Edmonton, Winnipeg & Hartford) had been made to feel about as welcome in the NHL as a Postman at a Dog Show & to really ramp it up you had the Distinct Society & Language Issues. The writing was on the wall & believe you me they knew it, smelled it in Quebec, in Winnipeg & eventually Hartford. Edmonton very nearly sold to Les Alexander in Houston mid-90's. Literally 15 minutes away from taking flight. Look, Bonnie & Carl Lindros were/are upper middle class Torontonians who were looking out for "The Next One", an absolutely sure bet sure thing cant miss Superstar & wanted what was best for the kid. Indeed, using Erics' train to haul brother Brett's career along the same track albeit not exactly the same 5 Star Pullman as his older brothers wealth & luxury of skills but enough to get him to The Show.
So, who are we, 25yrs later to say that if we were a close knit, well educated family who had a son with the same talents that we wouldnt have done exactly the same thing that Bonnie & Carl did? Career window could be 5yrs, 10 or 15yrs. Amongst their generation within that very specific culture of Toronto bringing up kids in the late 70's through the 80's what they did, how they reacted & responded was perfectly normal, understandable. Number One Son blessed with once in a generation of talents who was absolutely HUGE to boot; Number Two Son... not so much, but not exactly chopped liver either. These are your kids, and though it may be old fashioned or European in nature, the protection of ones children, looking out for their best interests doesnt stop at 18 or 21. It is literally from cradle to grave.
Now, I was living in Toronto at that time and like everyone interested in hockey followed it in the Toronto Star & elsewhere as the kid after all was one of our own. I was also privy to much that wasnt ever made public through business associates directly involved in not only Eric's situation but so too Brett's. Yes, the Lindros clan is very close, that is not a crime, its something to be admired. Did they or did the NHL punch Quebec City in the nose as did Frank Selke & the Montreal Canadiens when they couldnt get their hands on Jean Beliveau? As they did even more recently in refusing to put an end to the misery in Arizona & sell the Coyotes to Pierre Karl Peladeau? The Lindros clan was not the first nor the last & given the time, that era, the culture, what the Draft had become, the huge $$$, Kenny Linesmans challenge pursuant to age of eligibility, the WHA (long knives with longer memories & enmities still alive through the 80's & 90's) etc, just a perfect storm. Very interesting situation. Touched on so many different levels be it the business of the game, societal issues etc. No ones perfect, we all live in glass houses so no point in throwing stones at Eric, Brett, his parents. Empathize. Understand.... not hard to understand.
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