I had a flashback today ... in it, I was a kid again, watching
Jimmy Superfly Snuka getting sneak attacked by Roddy Piper.

It was an intriguing lesson to learn in my youth, watching
Superfly lose a match because Piper kept something hidden
in his waistband, but it was a good one. Sometimes, absurdity
is part of sports.

And no matter how hard you strain to bring realism into the
picture, there are some times when you're simply David Gest
to absurdity's Liza Minelli.

What brought this on, you ask?

The Eric Lindros articles today.

It's a Simple Equation

I am probably one of the few who really wants Lindros to
succeed here. I've seen a player hustle since his arrival,
and who loves the game so much he's literally putting his
life on the line to be on the ice. He's in his prime, still a
physically dominant player, and has all-world talent.

Logic dictates that Lindros would be paired up with a power
forward. Not only because of his concussion history, but also
because of his success with LeClair.

This is not rocket science, isn't it?

So why has Sather had an obsession with placing small, skilled
linemates on his flank like York, Fleury, Rucinsky, Bure, etc.?

And why, when he was given size on his line, was he moved to wing
and paired with a checking center in Holik and pugilist Barnaby?

Anson Carter was good on paper, yet awful on the ice. Which
brings us to ...

...the Florida Game

Lindros is paired with Jamie Lundmark and Martin Rucinsky.

Panthers Hordichuk, van Ryn and others are taking calculated
runs at Eric almost as soon as the puck is dropped.

Kudos to Chris Simon for taking on Hordichuk at his first
opportunity, but he's on a different line.

So the targeting continued ... and without a potent power play
or linemate to act as deterrent, the inevitable happened.

Lindros got injured.

The Post Game Quotes

Is it just me, or are Sather, Messier and the rest of the Rangers
management sadists?

Said team spokesman Mark Messier, "Well, what happens if he
doesn't play that way? That's just the way he's effective. And
it makes everyone else around him better, because everyone has
to follow."

Hello??

Rucinsky will power to the front of the net because Lindros plays
a physical game? Jamie Lundmark will send defensemen flying because
Lindros throws a good hit?

When will someone pause at the conclusion that Lindros is injury
prone and instead point a finger at a team that is insisting he
play a physical game with diminutive forwards on his flank?

Sather signed Chris Simon - a good move, so try him on Lindros' wing.
Or get someone who has the confidence of management.

But it seems that Sather and Messier are intent on sticking Lindros
with a cattle prod, and throwing him to the NHL alamo.

Somewhere, Roddy Piper is proud.

-Gabe

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