Eric Lindros - Concussion Problems

Despite the public feuding with Clarke and growing number of concussions, there were still high expectations that Lindros would win a Stanley Cup with Philadelphia. He continued to put points on the board (scoring 600 points in 429 games), but the team was in turmoil. Coach Roger Neilson had to leave the team for cancer treatment, and was replaced by Craig Ramsay. Neilson was later fired and not allowed to return as promised to coach in the playoffs. Before the end of the regular season, Lindros was stripped of his captaincy and had another major concussion. He publicly criticized the team's medical staff for allegedly mishandling his injury, his fourth concussion in two years and his fifth known head injury. While Lindros did return for playoffs, he suffered another concussion on May 26, 2000, when Scott Stevens of the New Jersey Devils leveled a massive open ice hit on him in the Eastern Conference Finals. This was Lindros's sixth concussion in twenty-seven months. He never played for the Flyers again.

Because of his concussion problems, Lindros could not even think about playing before November 2000. He was a restricted free agent whose rights were held by the Flyers. Lindros demanded a trade, and publicly stated that he would only play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Flyers and Clarke would not trade his rights. Lindros kept fit at home, but sat out the entire 2000-01 season.