Lindros Reportedly Picks Free Agency Over the Flyers

Center Eric Lindros reportedly rejected the Philadelphia Flyers’ $8.5-million qualifying offer Monday, and elected to become a restricted free agent.

CTV Sportsnet and Headline Sports quoted Lindros family lawyer Gordon Kirke as saying that the center is now a restricted free agent.

“I can’t comment on anything at this point,” Carl Lindros, Eric’s father and agent, said late Monday night.

The qualifying offer included a two-way contract that would allow the Flyers to send Lindros, 27, to their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, and pay him a minor league salary of $85,000.

Lindros, still recovering from his sixth concussion, has a $20-million insurance policy that covers him this season. If he doesn’t play 20 games, he will receive the full premium tax-free.

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The Kings and Mighty Ducks each agreed to one-year contracts with standout 23-year-olds Monday, the final day restricted free agents could accept minimum qualifying offers from their teams.

Defenseman Aki Berg accepted the Kings’ offer and earned a 10% raise to $838,750 for 2000-01. Berg had three goals and 16 points in 70 games last season, the most productive of his four NHL seasons. Neither Berg nor General Manager Dave Taylor was available for comment.

The Kings also signed winger Brad Chartrand to a two-year contract and minor-league goaltender Marcel Cousineau to a one-year deal.

Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere agreed to accept the Ducks’ qualifying offer, which raised his salary 10% to $605,000 for next season. Giguere spent most of last season playing for St. John of the American Hockey League, the Calgary Flames’ top minor-league affiliate.

Giguere’s signing leaves Pierre Gauthier, team president and general manager, only center Matt Cullen and defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky to re-sign by the opening of camp Sept. 7.