Desperation. That's why Rangers' GM Glen Sather is willing to take a flyer on Eric Lindros, a banged-up Cadillac of a hockey player. He's flat out desperate.

Sather, who could barely watch the dismal Rangers during his first season on the job, vowed to fix his broken-down franchise before the upcoming campaign. But, after missing out on deals for Keith Tkachuk, Nikolai Khabibulin and Jaromir Jagr (Slats lost Jagr when he overplayed his hand with Pens GM Craig Patrick) and watching potential free agents like Joe Sakic and Rob Blake ignore the big city lights, Sather held the keys to the same junker that missed the playoff race for the fourth straight season.

So, like a gambler chasing lost money on the Vegas strip, Sather raced after his last option: Lindros.

Now, after weeks of secret talks with Flyer GM Bob Clarke and Lindros' dad/agent, Carl, Sather (who also would like to add free agent Brett Hull) seems ready to roll the dice on the Big E. And, he's rolling against the wishes of most members of his own organization. In fact, no one within the Ranger family seems too excited about the arrival of No. 88. Conversely, those same Ranger management types still are genuinely disappointed in Sather's inability to close what was a seemingly done deal to get Jagr. "Why," they collectively wonder, "would we rather have Lindros?"

In Deal 88, the risk/reward is huge. When healthy, Lindros is among the top five players in the league. Period. But, can he stay healthy? His track record, combined with unfortunate circumstances of his brother's forced retirement, says it's not a matter of if he'll get hurt, but rather, when?

Just a couple of season's ago, the Rangers took a similar gamble on Pat LaFontaine. That gamble ended abruptly when LaFontaine collided with teammate Mike Keane. Like LaFontaine, Lindros is just one collision away from retirement. One.

Unlike LaFontaine, Lindros brings some other heavy baggage to New York. Many insiders question his ability to be a leader and team player. Clarke, in fact, believes Lindros will be a divisive influence anywhere he goes. Then again, Clarke didn't always make things too easy on Lindros.

As for what Sather is giving up, the key is obviously Pavel Brendl. Yes, Jan Hlavac and Kim Johnsson are improving young players who will fit in nicely in Philly, but they aren't stars. They are complementary players, at best.

Brendl, though, could be a star. At this point, he's nothing more than a very talented prospect. He's has world-class hands and can score goals in a flash. I've seen him do it. Like they say, you can't teach that. But, at this point, no one knows if Brendl can do it on the NHL level. If he can, the Flyers will have made themselves a nice deal. A real nice deal. Either way, the Flyers should be happy to move forward, without Eric Lindros.

Meanwhile, up the turnpike, Sather will sign the contract, cross his fingers and hope for the best. Because he can't imagine another season like last season, Sather is desperate. And sometimes, desperate GMs do desperate things. Trading for this banged-up Cadillac of a hockey player is one of them. Especially when it's Bob Clarke handing you the keys.

E.J. Hradek writes puck for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.