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| | Wednesday, June 28 Rangers, Kings have talked with Lindros | |||||
| Associated Press PHILADELPHIA -- A medical report prepared by a concussion expert does not say when or if Philadelphia Flyers star Eric Lindros can return to the ice. The report said Lindros should not play hockey for now, but he can do light exercise, play golf and ride a bike, provided he wears a helmet, Flyers physician Dr. Jeff Hartzell said Tuesday. Hartzell received the report from Dr. James Kelly, a Chicago neurologist who last examined Lindros on June 7. The report did not speculate on when Lindros might possibly play again. "Dr. Kelly wants Eric to be free of symptoms for one week's time before he examines him," Hartzell said in a statement released by the team. Kelly on Monday released his report to the team and to Carl Lindros, the player's father and agent. Carl Lindros did not return calls from The Associated Press. The Flyers have given permission to the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs to talk to Lindros. But his career has been stalled by a history of concussions. Lindros told The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday that he still has symptoms from his latest concussion. "There's no sense talking until I'm better. It's not fair to them and it's not fair to me," Lindros said. At the NHL draft in Calgary on Sunday, Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke said Lindros most likely will switch teams. Clarke also said the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars had shown interest. It looks like a deal could come quickly. The Flyers would like to deal Lindros before they are forced to make an $8.5 million qualifying offer, the same he made this season, for the 2000-01 campaign. The offer is necessary, for whichever team owns Lindros' rights, to keep him from unrestricted free agency. As a restricted free agent, any team wanting to sign the center would have to give five first-round picks as compensation. That's unlikely, given Lindros' recent health problems. Lindros' uncertain status limits what Philadelphia can demand in a trade to draft picks instead of established talent. "You won't get a player like Lindros back," Clarke told the Inquirer. "It would be compensation based on the number of games played." Lindros, 27, has had six concussions in his career, the most recent in the Stanley Cup playoffs after a hit by Devils defenseman Scott Stevens. Lindros is unhappy with Clarke's handling of the situation. "The doctors say Eric must stay still and stress-free in order for his condition to improve," Lindros' lawyer and co-agent, Gord Kirke, told the Toronto Sun on Monday. "But if anything, Clarke has turned up the heat. ... He is just adding to the stress." Lindros confirmed he has already spoken to Rangers GM Glen Sather. "I told Glen I don't know if I can play right now," he told the Inquirer from his cottage outside Toronto. "Right now, so much is up in the air. I myself have to make a decision on whether I will play again and whether it is worth playing again." Sather said his biggest concern was Lindros' health. "No one wants to make a deal if he can't play," Sather said. Leafs GM Pat Quinn said he plans to speak with Lindros to determine his interest in playing for Toronto. Quinn will also seek permission from the Lindros family to receive the medical report from Kelly. Los Angeles general manager Dave Taylor said he also talked to Lindros. "After receiving authorization from the Philadelphia Flyers, I telephoned Eric Lindros, and we had a very good discussion," Taylor said. "While I understand that there is a high degree of media interest in Eric's future, it would be inappropriate for me to make any additional comment." | ALSO SEE Islanders acquire Beezer from Flyers for draft pick AUDIO/VIDEO   Bobby Clarke does not think Eric Lindros will return to the Flyers.wav: 182 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||