Big E oN thE Big two
PHILADELPHIA — From the hype they generated before they entered the league to the way they took the NHL by storm as rookies, Eric Lindros said he is reminded of his early playing days when watching Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Toronto’s Auston Matthews.
As a rookie, Lindros scored 41 goals and 75 points. The following season, he had 103 points in 65 games.
Matthews led rookies with 40 goals and 69 points last season, while McDavid, who missed half of his rookie year with a broken collarbone, led the NHL with 100 points in 82 games last year. Neither player has a physical game similar to Lindros, although the 6-foot-3 Matthews does resemble Lindros in size, as well as how he entered the league.
After sitting out the season following his draft, Lindros played with and against NHLers at the Canada Cup, before participating at the 1992 Olympics, where he won a silver medal. Matthews, meanwhile, spent his draft year in Switzerland, before competing at the world championship and then the World Cup as one of only a few who had not played NHL.
“It’s interesting all the paths that people take,” Lindros said of Matthews. “So he went and played in Switzerland and played against men. I think that’s a big deal. I think that adds not to just your hockey game but how you are and how you approach everything. “I knew I could play.” When asked if he could see Matthews using his size more to his advantage, Lindros cautioned against the 20-year-old trying to play too physical. After all, it’s part of the reason why Lindros’ career came to an end sooner than it probably should have.
“He’s a strong kid,” Lindros said. “Just look at his neck. That’s a strong kid that’s only going to get stronger. Let’s just keep him healthy. “ MICHAEL TRAIKOS