PHILADELPHIA, March 27 (UPI) -- Eric Lindros, sidelined at least until the second round of the playoffs with a concussion, Monday was permanently stripped of his title as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Defenseman Eric Desjardins was named the new captain. Mark Recchi and John LeClair will continue to serve as alternate captains.
In addition to his physical problems, Lindros has a strained relationship with the Flyers and Monday general manager Bob Clarke indicated his superstar might not be back next season.
"We are trying to be the best team we can be for the playoffs," Clarke said. "Desjardins is a leader and a top-quality person. He's having a Norris Trophy year. Everybody in our organization knows how good he is, how important he is to a team and what a good person he is. He has great hockey intelligence and instincts. He's very competitive."
Last week, Lindros was critical of the way the Flyers handled his fourth concussion. Meeting reporters for the first time since his latest concussion, Lindros described dealings with team officials as "really frustrating." He suffered a serious Grade II concussion March 4 against Boston.
All of the controversy surrounding Lindros has come while cancer-stricken coach Roger Neilson recovers from a stem cell transplant.
Desjardins is fifth among NHL defensemen with 50 points and 37 assists and tied for eighth with 13 goals. He is eighth overall in average ice time per game at 27:14 and leads the team with a plus-17.
Lindros played four games after his latest concussion. His father and agent, Carl, continually is at odds with Clarke, making rumors of Lindros' offseason departure stronger by the day.
One of the most imposing players in the NHL at 6-4 and 238 pounds, Lindros also has proven to be one of the most brittle. He was limited to 55 games this season due to concussions, post-traumatic migraine headaches, back spasms, a bruised left hand and a viral infection.
A six-time All-Star, Lindros also missed the final seven games last season and all six playoff contests after suffering a collapsed lung on April 1 at Nashville. He has missed at least nine games in each of the past four seasons, sitting out the first 23 contests in 1996-97 with a groin ailment. Two seasons ago, Lindros sat out 18 games due to post-concussion syndrome.
