How did people feel about Lindros refusing to play for the Nordiques?

[Kennedys]

It wasn't political at all. The media made it political. The Lindros family didn't liked Marcel Aubut that's all. And if you know Aubut then you know the Lindros family was right...People keep saying thing like "Lindros hated french canadians blah blah" heck... Eric Lindros wife is a french canadian from Quebec City

 

[Tommy Shelby]

McDavid should have done the same thing

 

[thrillhous]

Everyone in Canada was pissed off at Lindros for it. Whether francophone or anglophone. All agreed he was being a baby and was being led astray by his agent (Dad).

Ok some exaggeration there but honestly in my admittedly small circle in southern Alberta and from what was in the newspapers I really don’t remember anyone taking Lindros’ side on it.

 

[93LEAFS]

It wasn't a political (language) issue. It was more that Quebec City was/is a small market, and the Lindros family thought that would limit Eric's branding/marketing. Lindros did the same holdout/forced trade to his OHL team (Sault Ste Marie).

Most viewed Lindros as a brat and he was vilified throughout his career because of this and other incidents -- including issues with his brother Brett's draft, and his father's meddling at all career junctions.

They also apparently found issues with Nordiques finances, which showed they weren't on stable ground. Remember, this is an era before rookie mandated ELC's and players like Lemieux eventually had to go to the bankruptcy court to collect what they were owed.

 

[bukwas]

I didn't find it a big deal. Maybe if the situation at the draft came totally out of the blue i'd have had a stronger opinion.

 

[Iapyi]

I remember me and my group of friends all thought he was being an ahole and putting himself above the game.

Mind you we were just a bunch of guys in our late 20's in Saskatchewan who were addicted to hockey. Since then we have been sold out by the NHL.

 

[SotasicA]

Lindros was being a dick, but the Nordiques did right to call his bluff and draft him anyway. His value as a trade asset was greater than just picking someone else.

Helped the franchise win a Cup in '96.

Lindros also became the best player of his era, in his peak. Worked well for everyone, and the quebecois also got a nice heel to jeer. Always therapeutic. And the Flyers lost in the Cup final in '97.

 

[Pyrophorus]

I assume that the provincialistic territorialism that has dominated Canadian history is still around with the same vigor today as it was almost 30 years ago? Back then Toronto guys wanted to play in Toronto and the same was true for guys in Quebec playing for the Habs. Have the years lessened that at all?

It was never a huge thing at all, in terms of wanting to play in your own province. Felix Potvin and Daniel Marois played for the Leafs, as does Frederik Gauthier now. I would say ever since the 2nd failed referendum, there is still
a few people of "go back to your own country" and "if you want to leave, leave!", but those numbers are small and with
our constitution being on the back burner, and the economy doing ok, sovereignty is far down the list of what Quebecers think about these days. The only small flash point, was with the Bloc winning 32 seats in the past election,
and the leader saying the goal is to separate.

I don't want this to devolve into a Constitution discussion. I'm sure Quebecers see it differently.

 

[Puckstop40]

The Colorado Avalanche would like to thank Eric for his contributions to helping bring two Cups to Denver.

 

[Coily]

Lindros was being a dick, but the Nordiques did right to call his bluff and draft him anyway. His value as a trade asset was greater than just picking someone else.

Helped the franchise win a Cup in '96.

Lindros also became the best player of his era, in his peak. Worked well for everyone, and the quebecois also got a nice heel to jeer. Always therapeutic. And the Flyers lost in the Cup final in '97.

He was the best player of his era? That's not how I remember the 90's but okay...

 

[Kennedys]

It was never a huge thing at all, in terms of wanting to play in your own province. Felix Potvin and Daniel Marois played for the Leafs, as does Frederik Gauthier now. I would say ever since the 2nd failed referendum, there is still
a few people of "go back to your own country" and "if you want to leave, leave!", but those numbers are small and with
our constitution being on the back burner, and the economy doing ok, sovereignty is far down the list of what Quebecers think about these days. The only small flash point, was with the Bloc winning 32 seats in the past election,
and the leader saying the goal is to separate.

I don't want this to devolve into a Constitution discussion. I'm sure Quebecers see it differently.

This is a bit off topic but the only people who care about sovereignty are 60yo+. I know because i live there

 

[SotasicA]

He was the best player of his era? That's not how I remember the 90's but okay...

In his peak, mid-late 90's, he was better than Mario and Jagr. Who else do you have in mind that time?

 

[lawrence]

he shouldn't have done that, and do the professional thing, which is play for the team that drafted him. Cause I don't recall other draft picks doing this.
that said that's the past, and we should move on.

 

[vanarchy]

Him and his dad thought they were bigger than the team as early as the OHL. The guy was a dbag and I say that with no disrespect to the Flyers and all disrespect to Lindros.

I'm grateful we live in an era of McDavid's and Eichel's that grin and bear it like multi-millionaire professionals.

 

[ozzie]

Don't recall to much hate from Toronto area really. What I do recall is the hatred towards Quebec for tanking, being in such a bad state and that the team was going to most likely move or be sold. Obtaining Lindros was a way of increasing the sale value for the team. No new arena, poor management on par with the Mickey Mouse Devils of the 80's. There was no trust there to begin with. Lindros was straight-up and true to his word. he warned them. NFL players do it all the time.

Other than a bit self entitled, he was larger than life. His Canada Cup in 91 just cemented how big a deal he was. His hype was larger then Crosby, even with the internet.

I don't blame him one bit. Karma caught up with him in the end, unfortunately for us. We go robbed of seeing true greatness, much like Orr. We just a sneak peak.

Having said all that was I was 18 at the time. But where I lived, Lindros was still a hero.

 

[LeafsNation75]

It wasn't political at all. The media made it political. The Lindros family didn't liked Marcel Aubut that's all. And if you know Aubut then you know the Lindros family was right...People keep saying thing like "Lindros hated french canadians blah blah" heck... Eric Lindros wife is a french canadian from Quebec City

Besides Lindros being booed when he played in Quebec City against the Nordiques, was he ever booed for the same reason when he played against the Canadiens while with the Flyers and Rangers? I only ask because I remember in his only season in Toronto when the Leafs played in Montreal he was booed each time the puck was on his stick.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

Hindsight shows it was a kid, misinformed by somebody who he trusted, led astray and affected his entire life.

His dad was an overbearing POS apparently, Lindros could have been a Stanley cup champion of it weren't for his father's meddling.

 

[Mike8]

I recall it was totally a political/linguistic thing.
Never saw another side of it...

This is pretty false. What, the SSM holdout was a 'political/linguistic' thing too?

 

[Mike8]

They also apparently found issues with Nordiques finances, which showed they weren't on stable ground. Remember, this is an era before rookie mandated ELC's and players like Lemieux eventually had to go to the bankruptcy court to collect what they were owed.

Yup, that's right. There was an issue with Aubut potentially being exploitative, team moving, etc.

This is also when the PA was developing strength and close to its first walkout/strike. Lindros was the first of the 'changing of the guard' too as The Next One.

 

[General Disarray]

He was a spoiled brat but he got what he deserved

 

[Ratatoskr]

Spoiled brat with overbearing father

This is how I remember it as well. Lindros is generally seen much more positive these days, but right around the draft thing, public opinion was not kind.

 

[The Lemonheads]

LET IT DIE.

 

[Chrisinroch]

It wasn't a political (language) issue. It was more that Quebec City was/is a small market, and the Lindros family thought that would limit Eric's branding/marketing. Lindros did the same holdout/forced trade to his OHL team (Sault Ste Marie).

Most viewed Lindros as a brat and he was vilified throughout his career because of this and other incidents -- including issues with his brother Brett's draft, and his father's meddling at all career junctions.

This is an excellent summary by my recollection

 

[Don Nachbaur 26]

I'm 42, so I remember this very clear. He didn't care for the ownership. It never had anything to do with the French speaking people of Quebec. "In a 2017 interview on French Canadian television, he opened up about his time being drafted by the Nordiques. He later stated that he had no problem with Quebec City or the people, stating that his wife is French Canadian."
Anyone that thinks it was a "I have to speak French thing" , well....
I didn't want to play for the Nordiques owner

 

[BlueBaron]

When you stand back and realize human beings should be able to work where they want it is difficult to blame him for using his power to do so.

There aren't many professions where you only have one possible employer that will pay you top dollar. If I graduated top of my class at Harvard Law I would have unlimited employment opportunities in most countries and cities around the world. There would be no cap on my starting salary. I would not be forced to stay with one company for a predetermined amount of time.

If I am drafted 1rst I have one option or I play in a lesser league (unless I can force a trade). I have earnings limits that can be meddled with by my employer. Maybe I can make the team but they keep me down to control me longer because they are rebuilding. Maybe I am held off the power play so I don't get my 20 goal bonus. There are so many ways you can be screwed with which simply does not exist in other fields.

In sports if you want to work in the top league you are treated like property, it's almost slave like. We can say "boo hoo" they are millionaires playing a game and we ignore the many negatives. If he has the power to play where he wants why shouldn't he? Because of the sentimental attachments of the fans of your draft team? It's selfish to expect him to play somewhere he doesn't want to when he has the power to force a situation that suits him better.

If Matthews had refused to play for Toronto and demanded a trade to a US team I would probably have an emotional reaction, but ultimately it would be selfish on my part.