Lindros Is Headed to Rangers

The Kings’ slim hopes of landing Eric Lindros ended Friday when the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers finalized a trade that will send the one-time NHL most valuable player to the Rangers. TSN in Canada reported that the deal received league approval late Friday night.

Bob Clarke, the Flyers’ general manager, lifted the Friday deadline for the Rangers to sign Lindros, clearing the way for Lindros and the Rangers to work out a contract and other details.

Lindros, 28, reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $37-million deal, and the final piece of the puzzle--getting insurance on the contract--was put in place Friday, a source close to the negotiations told the Associated Press.

“We’ve had the understanding that the Rangers and Flyers had agreed to this trade,” King General Manager Dave Taylor said Friday through a club spokesman. “Assuming that it is approved and official, we wish him the best of luck.”

The Kings’ interest in Lindros surfaced Thursday after Clarke told reporters in Philadelphia that if the deal with the Rangers was not completed Friday, he would entertain an offer from another team.

That team was the Kings, who approached the Flyers this week.

Taylor revealed that he and Clarke had some “general discussions” regarding Lindros but said that no firm offer was made.