Rangers Join Bidding for Lindros

The Eric Lindros Derby took an interesting turn when New York Rangers General Manager Neil Smith revealed he had met with Quebec Nordiques GM Pierre Page until almost 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Page admitted having the late meeting in an afternoon news conference but would not confirm the Rangers were involved. “A deal was almost completed,” Page said. “It’s up to that team to decide.”

After the NHL expansion draft Thursday night, Smith said the Rangers were not in the hunt for Lindros and predicted the Chicago Blackhawks would obtain him. But several hours later Page told Smith he was ready to listen to Smith’s offer for Lindros, who is considered the best player available to the NHL since 1984.

“We waited respectfully and patiently for them to let us know when we could step up to the plate,” said Smith, who joked that during his meeting with Page he had 13 cups of coffee.

Smith, who was given the additional title of club president Friday, indicated he will not increase the offer he has on the table. “There’s a substantial amount we can give up,” Smith said. “I just don’t know if a team’s going to give up more. Other teams might be more willing to rip their team apart because they’re not as close (to winning a Stanley Cup) as we are.”

The Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs also are believed to have made offers. It is believed the Rangers’ offer includes at least $15 million in cash, several first-round draft picks and players.

Smith would not name the players, but it is believed his package includes centers Darren Turcotte and Alexei Kovalev, defenseman James Patrick and goalie John Vanbiesbrouck. It is believed Page wants defenseman Brian Leetch. Indications are a third team is involved.

“As one of the teams involved,” Smith said, “we would need more time to think things through. If the deal was with us, it would be a very complicated transaction. They (Nordiques) are doing things right. They are being very careful.”

Page, addressing more than 100 reporters and several radio and television crews, said, “I realize how big a deal it is when I see this many people gathered. ... It’s not a fire sale. Eric Lindros was the player we were counting on to do the things we want to do. ... He’s nine years younger than Gretzky was when Gretzky was traded. ... I see a lot of teams interested. I think it’s just a matter of time.”

Page added, “We know what we want after one year of debating. The most important thing for us is to be patient and do the right thing. (Suitors) know what it takes exactly. We haven’t beaten around the bush. Anybody serious just has to do it.”

Lindros, 19, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound center described by scouts as having the skill of Mario Lemieux and toughness of Mark Messier, sat out last season rather than report to the woeful Nordiques. He was the first player taken in the 1991 entry draft.

This year’s draft is Saturday in Montreal.