While Eric Lindros sits by the phone, hoping the Rangers’ failure to get Jaromir Jagr will make Glen Sather desperate enough to overpay for the prodigal Flyer’s rights, perhaps he can take heart at the disclosure of an unexpected bidder.
The Post has learned that the Islanders recently made the offer of Kenny Jonsson and Mariusz Czerkawski for Lindros. The Flyers’ belief was that GM Mike Milbury’s interest was to wheel Lindros elsewhere, which would have been fine with Philly if it thought Jonsson and Czerkawski were enough. The offer, which was rejected, was not denied in the no-comment issued yesterday by Milbury through a team spokesman.
At the trading deadline, the Islanders made a pitch of Czerkawski, since signed to a new deal, and Zdeno Chara, since included in the Ottawa deal for Alexei Yashin. At that point, they wanted to sign and keep Lindros, who wanted no part of them. With the addition of Yashin and Michael Peca, Lindros no longer fits, which means there must be a third team.
Where there is smoke, Lindros had better hope there is fire, as he necessarily opens up more options for himself. For him to become a Ranger, it would take Kim Johnsson, Pavel Brendl and a No. 1.
The Flyers, having signed Jeremy Roenick and Jiri Dopita, have no more interest in Petr Nedved, not that Sather could any longer afford to trade him anyway. The price could be reduced somewhat if other Flyer options dry up, because while they are clearly in control here, they want to get Lindros behind them. For the right package of largely futures, the Flyers aren’t going to get hung up on helping conference rivals.
There may be mystery teams interested in striking a deal conditional to Lindros agreeing to terms, with the players involved announced only after No. 88 was signed.
Dallas, which retains more than passing interest, has been told it can get the deal done for defenseman Darryl Sydor and winger Brenden Morrow. Going to a strong team that would not be decimated by the occurrence of another Lindros concussion still makes the most sense for both he and bidders, even if the restricted free agent has yet to give his OK to Texas.