NEW YORK -- On the day Eric Lindros finally became a member of the New York
Rangers, anytime he was pressed for a comment on the Flyers, Bob Clarke or
his concussion history, Lindros resorted to rote cliché but always seemed to
finish with: "I just want to play."
If Lindros can stay healthy -- a major qualifier in any commentary
on the oft-concussed NHL star -- Mark Messier's presence could allow Lindros to "just play" again, finally. Lindros has missed 16 months since suffering his sixth concussion, coming courtesy of Scott Stevens and a vicious open-ice check in the 2000 playoffs.
Messier is Lindros' boyhood idol, and thus perhaps one of the few people
he'd absorb a lecture from with undivided attention. But Messier also is the
Rangers captain and, probably, still the team's most recognized player even
though he's near the end of a great career. Be assured, one of Messier's final tasks as an NHL player will be keeping Lindros
focused on hockey.
Even if he does manage to show Lindros the finest sushi restaurants in New York and gets him in touch with his tailor.
"I'm going to show him all of New York," Messier said, smiling wryly after Monday's news conference introducing Lindros to fans of a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1996-97.
Messier then became more serious and expanded on the burden of leading. He hinted that the burden on Lindros' shoulders might be less than at any previous point in his career, which saw him being named Flyers captain on Sept. 6, 1994 when Lindros was just 21-years old.
"It's always a bit risky taking a player you think is going to be a
superstar and thrusting him into a leadership role at too young an age,"
Messier said. "It's too much responsibility. It's dangerous to have to
confront teammates at an early age."
Messier will do the confronting. Messier will face the brunt of the unyielding New York media. For the first time, a teammate with a larger
presence will protect Lindros.
"I think he (Lindros) was put in that position a bit too early in
Philadelphia," Messier said. "He'll still be a leader on our team --
contributing and not worrying about all the outside things that might have
encompassed him in Philadelphia.
"Just relax and play the game."
On the podium, Messier was joined by Mike Richter and Brian Leetch -- decent
buffers in their own rights -- but it's no coincidence, of
course, that Messier was the person sitting next to Lindros and handing him his new Rangers jersey.
All the tell-tale signs of leadership could be seen in Messier, who is considered one of the greatest leaders in the history of
professional sports. Messier was the first to clap when applause was
expected, and he was the first to address the media after the news
conference.
Talk about buffers.
Messier might as well have been a body guard clearing space for a rock
star, burrowing through a crowd without hesitation. Just by his presence,
Messier deflects pressure off Lindros, and the plan is to extend the buffer
to life -- both in New York and on the ice.
"Having a real good feel for New York, I look at Eric as a perfect fit for
New York," Messier said. "I see him being perfect for the type of hockey the
fans like and what we need as a team. Eric's not a young guy coming into the
league; he's got a lot of experience, but there's a lot to learn about
playing in New York and being a part of New York and being a Ranger."
The implication is that Messier will teach Lindros, and if 'L'enfant Terrible'
doesn't listen to his admitted boyhood idol, it's safe to assume he won't
respond to any teammate.
"If Eric is of that mind, he could learn a lot from (Messier)," said
second-year Rangers coach Ron Low. "Mark will give anything for the team. It
will be a heck of an experience for Eric to play with him."
Even though news conference optimism abounded, Lindros expressed that he is
"of that mind."
"I'm looking forward to getting in and hearing what (Messier) has to
say," Lindros said. "Just his presence is something special. I don't think
many -- if any -- have it in hockey at the level that Mark has."
Lindros recalled being 15-years old and obtaining standing-room-only tickets at Maple Leaf
Gardens just to see Messier and his Oilers play Toronto.
Messier's nasty yet productive style -- not to mention his Stanley Cup
titles in Edmonton and New York -- were Lindros' model for the player he
wanted to be.
On the ice, Messier probably won't be able to teach Lindros how to win the Stanley Cup, because it's unlikely Messier will be around if and when the Rangers are that good again. But according to Eric's ubiquitous father, Carl, his son could learn style
lessons from Messier.
"Mark changed his style of play as he got older," said Carl, referring to
how the 40-year-old Messier adjusted after losing speed. "The objective is to win, and you
don't have to destroy someone to win or get the puck off his stick. That's
what Mark did."
Carl admitted he hadn't yet shared that pearl of wisdom with Eric, and it
might not be an easy lesson to learn because Eric Lindros remained steadfast
that he would still be a physical player. At 245 pounds with nine-percent
body fat, it's difficult not to use one's body to inflict punishment.
However, Lindros left it open that if Carl could sell Low on the theory, the
28-year-old center might pick his spots more when it comes to heavy hitting.
"Whatever style Ron wants me to play, I'll play," Lindros said.
Play was the operative word Monday in New York, and beginning with Team Canada's training camp on Sept. 4 in Calgary, Lindros finally will play hockey again.
For how long is another
story.
Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com and can be reached at
brian.shactman@espn.com.
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