Sept. 19: Eric Lindros takes first skate for Flyers
Plus: Predators play their initial preseason game; Maple Leafs acquire Grant Fuhr
by John Kreiser @jkreiser7713 / NHL.com Managing Editor
THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Sept. 19
1992: The much-anticipated debut of Eric Lindros takes place with the Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason game against the Quebec Nordiques at the Spectrum. Lindros has a goal and an assist in Philadelphia's 4-3 victory.
Lindros' first NHL appearance comes against the team he refuses to play for after being taken with the first pick in the 1991 NHL Draft, opting instead to play with Canada's national team. In June 1992, the Flyers acquire Lindros in a blockbuster trade that isn't made official until an arbitrator sides with Philadelphia after the New York Rangers think they've acquired him in a trade with Quebec.
He finishes his rookie season with 75 points (41 goals, 34 assists) and 147 penalty minutes in 61 games. Lindros retires on Nov. 8, 2007 after a 13-year career with the Flyers, Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars, and is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.
MORE MOMENTS
1990: The Pittsburgh Penguins defeat Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings 5-3 in a preseason game at St. Petersburg, Fla. The game draws an announced crowd of 25,581 fans to the Suncoast Dome, then the largest for any NHL game.
1991: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher brings in some Stanley Cup experience in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Fletcher acquires goaltender Grant Fuhr and forwards Glenn Anderson and Craig Berube, giving up forwards Vincent Damphousse and Scott Thornton, defenseman Luke Richardson and goaltender Peter Ing.
1998: The Nashville Predators make their NHL debut with a 4-2 preseason win against the Florida Panthers in a game played in Huntsville, Ala. Marian Cisar scores the Predators' first goal.