All the kings horses and all the kings men…

The New York Rangers have decided not to pick up the option on Eric Lindros that would pay the injury-plagued center $10.25 million in 2004-05.

Last season, Lindros was hampered by a shoulder injury and concussion. No. 88 played in just 39 games and recorded 10 goals and 22 assists.

By not picking up the option, the 31-year-old becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Lindros was acquired from the Flyers in August 2001. He scored 155 points (66 goals, 92 assists) in 192 games with the Rangers, but did not lead them to the playoffs.

Lindros suffered his eighth concussion of on January 28 in a game against Washington when he was hit by Jason Doig. That turned out to be his last game as a Ranger.

The Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player in 1994-95, Lindros spent his first eight years with the Flyers and had 290 goals and 369 assists for 659 points in 486 games for Philly.

The news hit Lindros’ father, Carl, hard. Quoted in the New York Post, Carl said, “I’d have thought I’d heard from the Rangers because Eric was their best player for a number of months last year, but that isn’t the case. But last year was kind of bizarre. It was dysfunctional.”