TORONTO -- The Philadelphia Flyers tried to entice Eric Lindros into a comeback five years after his retirement from the NHL, Lindros confirmed on Friday during the Hockey Hall of Fame induction weekend.
The offer came at some point after Lindros played in the alumni game ahead of the 2012 Winter Classic.
"[Former Flyers GM] Paul Holmgren called me after the outdoor game and started talking gibberish about cap space and things like that in Philadelphia," Lindros said with a chuckle. "We were playing in that baseball stadium, and I think he had the worst seat in the house. He was up in the bleachers or something, I don't know what game he was watching. I don't know what game he was watching, but I got a call. And [I thought]: 'Geez, are you kidding me?'"
Holmgren, now president of the Flyers, confirmed via text message to ESPN on Friday that he indeed made the offer to Lindros and that he was serious, too.
"Thought he would be a good trade-deadline addition," Holmgren said.
Lindros, 43, was asked on Friday what his response to Holmgren was at the time.
"Are you nuts?" he said he told Holmgren.
Holmgren insists the offer was real, but Lindros didn't know what to make of it.
"I don't know. He was talking cap space and he was getting right into it. I don't know if he was pulling my leg or not, I don't know," Lindros said. "I think he was pretty serious, but I was laughing."