Lindros understands the `pull' of Toronto
A player who risked his Hall-of-Fame reputation in a failed 33-game stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs said he understands why veterans Joe Thornton, Jason Spezza and Wayne Simmonds all decided to return home this year.
“There's a pull,” said Eric Lindros. “It's a special thing to play in Toronto. If you don't think it's a special thing, then go sign in Arizona.”
It was 15 years ago when Lindros was pulled toward Toronto like a sea captain hearing a siren's call.
At the time, he was nine years younger than how old Thornton is now. But like the 41-year-old Thornton, Lindros was at a similar stage in his career.
He was no longer a 40-goal scorer or a Hart Trophy candidate. He wasn't a player who opponents feared. He was just a guy who had too many concussions, who was staring down retirement and trying to cross a Stanley Cup off his bucket list.
“I wasn't nearly the player I used to be,” said Lindros. “I was recognizing that things were coming to an end. While I could still play, I could never be a top 5 player in the league anymore. But I just wanted to come in and play for Toronto. I think it's special for guys who are from around here.”
The same motivation was behind Thornton's decision to leave the San Jose Sharks and sign a one-year contract with the Leafs. He isn't done, but he's getting close. Before his career is over, he badly wants to capture the championship that has eluded him for 23 years.
And Toronto, with all their young talent up front, is the place where he believes he can do it. And yet, it's more than that.
If it were just about winning, Thornton might have been better off signing with Tampa Bay, Vegas or Washington.
Any of those cities has a better shot at winning than a team that has not even won a playoff round since 2004.
No, the St. Thomas, Ont., native chose Toronto because he doesn't just want to win — he wants to win at home.
It is the same reason why John Tavares left the New York Islanders for a team whose logo was on his bed sheets as a kid.
And it is why Spezza is playing for the league mini
mum again this year and why Simmonds signed for less in Toronto than he could have made in Montreal.
It's why everyone, from Brian Burke and Brendan Shanahan to Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock, have been pulled toward the so-called Centre of the Hockey Universe.
“You can't get any better guys than the ones they just brought in, without moving one of the big 4,” said Lindros. “Joe doesn't give a care about the money. Nor does Jason. Nor does anyone who's signing here. They had choices and they chose to do it here. Frankly, it's great.”