Why haven't we seen another Eric Lindros?

[Hanji]

Regarding Ovechkin/Lindros, the difference is Ovechkin picks his spots while Lindros was full on bull-in-a-china shop 24/7.
This is what led to injury for Lindros and longevity for Ovechkin. Ovechkin rarely put himself in a position to be injured.

The other difference is Ovechkin has better skills and IQ. He could better adapt when his physical skills started declining. Lindros' effectiveness declined considerably when he could no longer regularly steamroll over people.
Meanwhile Ovechkin was still winning Richards (amazing goalscoring IQ) even when his speed was all but gone.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Ding ding ding!!!

A Lindros 2.0 would have everyone here making threads crying about “how he’d need to be suspended” after every game.

Fact is, the game and it’s fans nowadays are toilet paper soft.

People wanted the NHL to ban Tom Wilson, who was basically a less talented Lindros. He eventually toned it down a lot after the league threatened to suspend him for over 20 games at the next incident.

 

[Daximus]

Hockey see's a lot less athletic freaks of nature like Lindros, Lemieux and Chara and the like because it's just not as lucrative or popular as the other 3 major sports in North America.

Most of the very big and footwork coordinated guys play basketball, most of the guys built like brick shit houses play football and most of the guys who have insane hand-eye coordination with size play baseball. All 3 of which are generally more accessible and lucrative.

 

[Based Anime Fan]

Jacob Trouba would make Lindros shit his f***in hockey pants

lmao.

No. Trouba's a bitch compared to most D-men in the 90s.

 

[nergish]

Never watched Lindros play, but is Malkin the closest thing today?

Lindros was different in that he was a gifted offensive player, but also a pest, who sought out physicality and could fight.

 

[Tawnos]

Regarding Ovechkin/Lindros, the difference is Ovechkin picks his spots while Lindros was full on bull-in-a-china shop 24/7.
This is what led to injury for Lindros and longevity for Ovechkin. Ovechkin rarely put himself in a position to be injured.

The other difference is Ovechkin has better skills and IQ. He could better adapt when his physical skills started declining. Lindros' effectiveness declined considerably when he could no longer regularly steamroll over people.
Meanwhile Ovechkin was still winning Richards (amazing goalscoring IQ) even when his speed was all but gone.

I don’t think Ovechkin had better skills and IQ, but since his game was built around those things rather than his physicality it gave him a better opportunity to adapt.

Lindros did prove that he could adapt to a skill game when he was with the Rangers, but by then all it took was one hard hit for him to be down. That’s exactly what happened.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

You clearly never saw Lindros play if you make a post like this

Lindros is probably the most physically imposing skilled player the league has ever seen, he could pass, shoot, hit and had a solid two way game, at 19 when he entered the league he was already arguably a top 10 center. He didn't go around players he went through them, and yes I would openly say Lindros had the potential to be a generational talent, and he was very much boarder line for a few years. If Lindros played today he would dominate this league of smaller skilled players.

I did watch Lindros play. Even had his Topps rookie cards when he was still on the Generals.

I really like how you bring up a bunch of points Lindros had over OV without checking that OV demolishes him in literally all of those categories.

Did you really say Lindros joined the league at 19? Like OV wasn't locked out his rookie year and joined when he was 19 as well?

Then tried boasting about Lindros' production in his rookie year? Like OV didn't lay down 50 goals 100 points in one of the greatest rookie seasons in history? OV joined the league and was immediately a top player finishing 3rd in league scoring?

OV went through players too. More effectively than Lindros with and without the puck. He used his superior hockey IQ to force turnover with his physicality, and has one of the alltime greatest shots in NHL history.

OV was Faster more skilled and more imposing. And a better finisher and better all round. Similar size.

Lindros can't hold OV's proverbial jockstrap. This isn't even a contest. Lindros played a dirty game like Raffi Torres, and nobody is really celebrating what a physically imposing asshole Raffi Torres was like some sort of positive attribute.

 

[Pancakes]

Ovechkin is closer to Lindros than Malkin imo.

Malkin more resembles Mario. He doesn't have Lindros physicality. Ovechkin does.

 

[BenchBrawl]

We haven't seen another Gretzky, Lemieux, Messier, Orr, Lafleur, and a myriad of other great players with a unique style. Lindros was just like that and he retired not long ago.

 

[Panteras]

Matthew Tkachuk. Come at me bro…

 

[Crow]

Matthew Tkachuk. Come at me bro…

Seriously? About a 40 lb difference there.

 

[sensfan4lifee]

I did watch Lindros play. Even had his Topps rookie cards when he was still on the Generals.

I really like how you bring up a bunch of points Lindros had over OV without checking that OV demolishes him in literally all of those categories.

Did you really say Lindros joined the league at 19? Like OV wasn't locked out his rookie year and joined when he was 19 as well?

Then tried boasting about Lindros' production in his rookie year? Like OV didn't lay down 50 goals 100 points in one of the greatest rookie seasons in history? OV joined the league and was immediately a top player finishing 3rd in league scoring?

OV went through players too. More effectively than Lindros with and without the puck. He used his superior hockey IQ to force turnover with his physicality, and has one of the alltime greatest shots in NHL history.

OV was Faster more skilled and more imposing. And a better finisher and better all round. Similar size.

Lindros can't hold OV's proverbial jockstrap. This isn't even a contest. Lindros played a dirty game like Raffi Torres, and nobody is really celebrating what a physically imposing asshole Raffi Torres was like some sort of positive attribute.

Ovi in no way shape or form was as physically imposing as Lindros, was he superior in other areas? Yes I'll agree with the goal scoring aspect but as far as destroying players with the physical game no player in the history of the game touches Lindros in that department. And as far as better all around I would highly argue that statement as someone who's watched Ovi the last 20 years id highly not refer to him as an all round player, amazing sniper, probably the most consistent goal scorer of all time, but stop making him out to be somethings he's not.

 

[Legionnaire11]

Ovi in no way shape or form was as physically imposing as Lindros, was he superior in other areas? Yes I'll agree with the goal scoring aspect but as far as destroying players with the physical game no player in the history of the game touches Lindros in that department. And as far as better all around I would highly argue that statement as someone who's watched Ovi the last 20 years id highly not refer to him as an all round player, amazing sniper, probably the most consistent goal scorer of all time, but stop making him out to be somethings he's not.

This guy has to be on the "perfect drug" to make such ridiculous claims such as "Lindros can't hold OV's proverbial jockstrap. This isn't even a contest." Or pointing to Ovi's rookie year, without mentioning the significant overhaul to the league structure and it's rules.

But I find almost every Lindros discussion to be pointless because outside of Philadelphia he was pretty universally disliked from before he even touched NHL ice, so you're unlikely to get any unbiased views on him.

 

[TS Quint]

If we are talking big strong athletic freak Byfuglien might be close. Definitely bigger, stronger, more feared in a much stronger era. Too bad it seemed like he didn’t like hockey, he just happened to be good at it.

 

[sensfan4lifee]

This guy has to be on the "perfect drug" to make such ridiculous claims such as "Lindros can't hold OV's proverbial jockstrap. This isn't even a contest." Or pointing to Ovi's rookie year, without mentioning the significant overhaul to the league structure and it's rules.

But I find almost every Lindros discussion to be pointless because outside of Philadelphia he was pretty universally disliked from before he even touched NHL ice, so you're unlikely to get any unbiased views on him.

My problem is with people creating false naratives on a player to win there argument, instead of just saying yes so and so was an amazing player, they have to bring them down and make the player less than what he was. I really dislike this kind of person, why can't we just accept Lindros was an amazingly flawed talent, who could have an even more amazing career than he did instead of bringing him down.

 

[Bank Shot]

Hockey see's a lot less athletic freaks of nature like Lindros, Lemieux and Chara and the like because it's just not as lucrative or popular as the other 3 major sports in North America.

Most of the very big and footwork coordinated guys play basketball, most of the guys built like brick shit houses play football and most of the guys who have insane hand-eye coordination with size play baseball. All 3 of which are generally more accessible and lucrative.

Hockey is more skill based than any of those other sports.

Being big and jacked doesn't really matter if you don't have the skills.

 

[Craig Ludwig]

We haven't seen another Gretzky, Lemieux, Messier, Orr, Lafleur, and a myriad of other great players with a unique style. Lindros was just like that and he retired not long ago.

I would argue that. Makar is something really special and if he keeps it up, who knows where he will sit in the history of hockey, he is an absolute treat to watch. Ovechkin definitely has his own style, and has earned the right to be among those greats. Crosby too.

 

[LokiDog]

Wasn’t Ovechkin’s first 5-10 years basically very Lindros-esque? He may not have been as “mean” but he absolutely crushed people every 3 minutes while skating like the wind, dangling everyone, ripping shots from all over the zone, generating tons of breakaways, etc. He wasn’t the player he is today, but it seems like that’s all most posters remember. Which is also ironic since we can’t remember Ovie’s prime accurately but we can wax nostalgic over players who have been out of the league for decades.

 

[AD1066]

Wasn’t Ovechkin’s first 5-10 years basically very Lindros-esque? He may not have been as “mean” but he absolutely crushed people every 3 minutes while skating like the wind, dangling everyone, ripping shots from all over the zone, generating tons of breakaways, etc. He wasn’t the player he is today, but it seems like that’s all most posters remember. Which is also ironic since we can’t remember Ovie’s prime accurately but we can wax nostalgic over players who have been out of the league for decades.

He was a physical force and one of the league's best hitters, but not to the degree Lindros was IMO. I think Ovi is the smarter player though, not necessarily in the playmaking sense but at least where on-ice awareness is concerned. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen someone catch Ovechkin with his head down. Seidenberg in the 2012 playoffs comes to mind, and Seidenberg still probably took the worst of it, somehow.

I've seen it argued that Lindros was so dominant physically that he never learned to keep his head up, and I'm inclined to agree. He was also unfortunate to play in a more ruthless era, which made it that much more important. But his approach to the game reminds me more of Tom Wilson, where the goal is to inflict punishment on every shift. Whereas Ovechkin was better about conserving energy (and himself) and picking his spots.

So I don't really see a style comparison, beyond both being capable of throwing devastating hits.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think there can be legitimate argument that Lindros played against shorter, slower, and smaller players,

NHL players have gotten taller on average, but also lighter.

Importantly, Lindros also played in an area where players were allowed to physically manhandle each other, headshots were legal, and toe-to-toe fighting was far more common.

The arms race in heavier players ended with the 2005 lockout rule changes. Fighting ceased to be a relevant skill set around the same time. And as noted in another recent thread, guys like Crosby and Bergeron were assumed to be on their last legs with concussions until the headshot rules changed in 2011, at which point they began a long and illustrious period of health.

While it’s true that the game is faster and the players are taller, this league is a lot less dangerous and it really shows with the longevity of its stars, Ovechkin being Exhibit A of a guy who would almost certainly have been broken physically if he had been born a generation earlier.

 

[SirKillalot]

Fact is, the game and it’s fans nowadays are toilet paper soft.

Fact is the game back then was too violent and caveman-ish where you got away with things that had nothing to do with the game of hockey.

 

[authentic]

What made him so uniquely different Than Ovechkin?
OV literally does everything better than Lindros ever could?

Aside from Lindros doing arm-bars elbows, and cheapshots, Ovechkin hit HARD and more often and had better skill and anticipation. OV frequently lead the league in hits and goals.


Seriously, watch a hitting compilation of Lindros, then one of Ovechkin and honestly tell me Lindros was more physical.



Scoring is OV. Speed is OV. Physicality is OV. Hockey IQ is OV. Keeping his head up is OV. creativity is OV. Shot is OV. Skill is OV. Winning is OV. Hardware belongs to OV.

Tale of the tape is Lindros had 1 more inch, while OV had 8 more lbs.

View attachment 924429

I think there can be legitimate argument that Lindros played against shorter, slower, and smaller players, but OV was basically MUCH better Lindros at everything.

Tale of the tape is misleading here comparing Ovechkin late in his career to Lindros early in his prime. Ovechkin used to be listed at 220 in his prime and Lindros was 240 before he retired. Regardless it’s hard to argue with your points here in favour of Ovechkin but you also leave out that Lindros was a dominant face off center with good two-way ability, also a better playmaker who’s better downlow and along the boards. Peak for peak they are very close but Ovechkin obviously pulls far away with incredible health and longevity.

 

[authentic]

He was a physical force and one of the league's best hitters, but not to the degree Lindros was IMO. I think Ovi is the smarter player though, not necessarily in the playmaking sense but at least where on-ice awareness is concerned. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen someone catch Ovechkin with his head down. Seidenberg in the 2012 playoffs comes to mind, and Seidenberg still probably took the worst of it, somehow.

I've seen it argued that Lindros was so dominant physically that he never learned to keep his head up, and I'm inclined to agree. He was also unfortunate to play in a more ruthless era, which made it that much more important. But his approach to the game reminds me more of Tom Wilson, where the goal is to inflict punishment on every shift. Whereas Ovechkin was better about conserving energy (and himself) and picking his spots.

So I don't really see a style comparison, beyond both being capable of throwing devastating hits.

Lindros was more physically imposing (but not to the degree that many have stated in this thread) but I don’t really remember him hitting more often than Ovechkin. I don’t think I’ve seen a player hit more often really atleast among elite scorers.

 

[authentic]

NHL players have gotten taller on average, but also lighter.

Importantly, Lindros also played in an area where players were allowed to physically manhandle each other, headshots were legal, and toe-to-toe fighting was far more common.

The arms race in heavier players ended with the 2005 lockout rule changes. Fighting ceased to be a relevant skill set around the same time. And as noted in another recent thread, guys like Crosby and Bergeron were assumed to be on their last legs with concussions until the headshot rules changed in 2011, at which point they began a long and illustrious period of health.

While it’s true that the game is faster and the players are taller, this league is a lot less dangerous and it really shows with the longevity of its stars, Ovechkin being Exhibit A of a guy who would almost certainly have been broken physically if he had been born a generation earlier.

From 2005-11 Ovechkin didn’t really miss more than a few games due to injury while hitting everything that moves and skating full speed dangling everyone 24/7. The league was incredibly dangerous on top of being played at a faster pace before they cracked down on headshots and Ovechkin almost couldn’t have been any healthier for an entire 6 years.

 

[authentic]

Another important thing to remember here is Ovechkin hit to separate players from the puck while Lindros hit to crunch people’s bones into the boards which is why Ovechkin’s highlight reel can come across as more impressive. A thousand dollars says you would rather be hit by Ovechkin.