Lindros Trade Called Doubtful

Bob Clarke, general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, said Tuesday that he doubts his team will trade Eric Lindros to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the only team for which the disgruntled star hopes to play.

With the NHL trade deadline of March 13 less than a month away, Clarke acknowledged there has been talk with the Maple Leafs and General Manager Pat Quinn, but nothing of substance.

“I know Pat pretty well and he’s not going to change his opinion,” Clarke said, amid speculation he had turned down a new trade offer from the Maple Leafs last week. “If there was a way the two of us could get together and put something together, we would have been able to find it. But our opinions are so different, there’s no chance.”

Lindros hasn’t played since May 26. Since getting clearance to play in November, he has maintained he will only return to hockey in a Maple Leaf uniform.

“Toronto and Philly are not going to make a deal,” Clarke said. “By waiting until next summer or next year, we’re still not going to make a deal.”

Clarke and the rest of the Flyers are perplexed that Lindros is limiting his options to Toronto.

“I don’t understand what he’s trying to do,” Clarke said. “He’s sat out before, but I don’t know that that’s anything to be proud of.”

Clarke said he will only make a move in the best interests of the Flyers.

“If we don’t trade him to Toronto this year, we might not trade him next year, either,” Clarke said. “He’s pulled his power play and it’s not worked. So it’s time for him to just say he’ll go wherever he’s traded and play hockey.”

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The Philadelphia Flyers obtained the rights to unsigned draft pick Matt Zultek from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a ninth-round pick in the upcoming draft.

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Center Tim Taylor of the New York Rangers will undergo season-ending surgery for an abdominal muscle tear.