Lindros Scores Big Contract --on an Assist From Kariya

Eric Lindros has signed a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for $16 million over two seasons, giving him the highest average salary in NHL history.

The agreement increases his current salary of nearly $4 million to $7.5 million for this season, and gives Lindros $8.5 million for 1998-99, club President Ed Snider said. Lindros could have become a restricted free agent after this season, so the Flyers, who had sought a three-year deal, bought one more year.

“The biggest part was to remain a Flyer, and that I’ve been able to accomplish,” Lindros said. “I’m excited not only about the remainder of this year, but next season.”

Last week, Mighty Duck left wing Paul Kariya signed a contract paying him $5.5 million this season and $8.5 million for the next--raising the bar for Lindros and the Flyers.

Kariya had 99 points and 44 goals in 69 games last season. Lindros had 79 points and 32 goals in 52 games.

Colorado’s Joe Sakic is the highest-paid NHL player this year, making $17 million, but $15 million of that is a signing bonus.

Going into Wednesday night’s games, Lindros, who won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 1995, was tied for sixth place in the league scoring race with Dallas’ Mike Modano.

Lindros has 14 goals, 24 assists and 38 points in 33 games.

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The struggling New York Rangers received some bad news when they learned defenseman Jeff Beukeboom suffered a broken left ankle in Tuesday night’s loss to New Jersey and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

Beukeboom suffered the injury when he was hit in the ankle by a shot off the stick of New Jersey’s Valeri Zelepukin.

Beukeboom, in his seventh season with the Rangers, has no goals and three assists and a minus-18 rating in 35 games this season.