Editing Eric Lindros (section)

== Arrival in Philadelphia ==

Eric Bryan Lindros was born on February 28, 1973, in London, Ontario, his hockey abilities evident from childhood. His refusal to report to the Quebec Nordiques, who drafted him first overall in 1991, led to the blockbuster trade that sent him to Philadelphia in exchange for six players, two draft picks, and $15 million. The trade's magnitude generated expectations that few players could meet, his every performance measured against the assets sacrificed to acquire him.<ref name="pluto">{{cite book |last=Pluto |first=Terry |title=Loose Pucks: The Story of the World Hockey Association |year=1983 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York}}</ref>

His immediate impact validated the trade's cost. His combination of power forward physicality with playmaking ability created matchup problems that opponents could not solve. The "Legion of Doom" line, featuring Lindros with John LeClair and Mikael Renberg, became one of hockey's most feared units, their combination of size and skill overwhelming opponents who attempted to match their physical play or their offensive abilities.<ref name="bernstein"/>

The 1995 Hart Trophy as league MVP confirmed that his abilities had achieved their expected level. His 70-point season in the lockout-shortened schedule projected to numbers that would have challenged Wayne Gretzky's records across a full campaign. The MVP recognition validated both his talent and the franchise's decision to acquire him, the award confirming that the investment had produced expected returns.<ref name="pluto"/>