While Marcus Naslund tries to let the home side down easy, it seems more and more likely that the prospect of Peter Forsberg signing on for a whirlwind tour with the Vancouver Canucks seems more wishful thinking than cold hard fact.
Forsberg is said to be nearing his decision as to which team will gain his services for the stretch drive and perhaps an extended run in quest of the Stanley Cup, but it would seem that a team with Blue, Green and White uniforms won't be making the final cut.
Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun examined what led to all the Forsberg excitement in Vancouver and then basically makes the case for why he won't be arriving in Vancouver.
It's said that the Flyers or Avalanche will have the inside track when he makes his final decision. Leaving three other teams close but with no cigar as the final stages of the negotiations not to mention the season get closer.
MSNBC--Flyers are ready, but is Forsberg?
Detroit Free Press--Lidstrom 'more than willing' to help bring in Forsberg-like player to Detroit
Comcast--Forsberg reduces number of suitors
Rocky Mountain News--The Drama and the Foppa
Ottawa Sun--Forsberg likely heading to Flyers, not Sens
Showing posts with label Peter Forsberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Forsberg. Show all posts
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Was Monday Peter Forsberg’s final skate?
Hockey pool aficionados, everyday NHL fans and NHL General Managers will all be holding their breath for the next few days, with word that the past problems with the feet of Peter Forsberg seem to have re-appeared.
The Swedish sensation, who it has been reported was pondering a return to the NHL this month, pulled himself out of the line up of his Swedish team this past weekend, after the discomfort returned while out on the ice.
Forsberg’s medical troubles go back a fair ways now, as Bob McKenzie reported on the TSN blog page on Monday, in the blog piece, the congenital nature of Forsberg’s feet problems was detailed in a rather complete fashion.
The problem has so aggravated Forsberg, that on Monday the Globe and Mail reported that Forsberg offered up a rather stark assessment of his future: “I have to say, I've never been so close to saying my career is over right now.”
Not comments that NHL G M’s, let alone fans will want to hear.
Prior to his latest setback, there was a growing list of teams that were prepared to seek out his services in order to top up their line up for this season. In fact this week was to be a form of evaluation week for NHL GM's, who were planning on attending on their own or had sent representatives to Finland to watch the Karjala Cup, a tournament that features teams from Finland, Sweden, Russia and the Czech Republic.
Before the games are even under way the Swedish star has removed himself from the tournament because his ankles did not meet his personal test.
If the situation is a disappointing as the news out seems to indicate, then we could possibly already have seen the last of Forsberg in an NHL uniform. It would mark an unfortunate turn of events for a league that could certainly have made room for his speed and finesse.
He first appeared in the NHL in 1991 and was a member of the Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche squads of 1996 and 2001 and was named the leagues most valuable player in 2003.
In the last few years his injury time seemed to multiply as a number of troubles seemed to keep him out of the line up more and more frequently. And if this latest setback is as severe as the reports seem to make it out to be, then it’s quite likely that Peter Forsberg will be out of an NHL uniform permanently.
An amazing talent, who found his time in the North American showcase cut short, far too quickly.
The Swedish sensation, who it has been reported was pondering a return to the NHL this month, pulled himself out of the line up of his Swedish team this past weekend, after the discomfort returned while out on the ice.
Forsberg’s medical troubles go back a fair ways now, as Bob McKenzie reported on the TSN blog page on Monday, in the blog piece, the congenital nature of Forsberg’s feet problems was detailed in a rather complete fashion.
The problem has so aggravated Forsberg, that on Monday the Globe and Mail reported that Forsberg offered up a rather stark assessment of his future: “I have to say, I've never been so close to saying my career is over right now.”
Not comments that NHL G M’s, let alone fans will want to hear.
Prior to his latest setback, there was a growing list of teams that were prepared to seek out his services in order to top up their line up for this season. In fact this week was to be a form of evaluation week for NHL GM's, who were planning on attending on their own or had sent representatives to Finland to watch the Karjala Cup, a tournament that features teams from Finland, Sweden, Russia and the Czech Republic.
Before the games are even under way the Swedish star has removed himself from the tournament because his ankles did not meet his personal test.
If the situation is a disappointing as the news out seems to indicate, then we could possibly already have seen the last of Forsberg in an NHL uniform. It would mark an unfortunate turn of events for a league that could certainly have made room for his speed and finesse.
He first appeared in the NHL in 1991 and was a member of the Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche squads of 1996 and 2001 and was named the leagues most valuable player in 2003.
In the last few years his injury time seemed to multiply as a number of troubles seemed to keep him out of the line up more and more frequently. And if this latest setback is as severe as the reports seem to make it out to be, then it’s quite likely that Peter Forsberg will be out of an NHL uniform permanently.
An amazing talent, who found his time in the North American showcase cut short, far too quickly.
His deliberations have been flooding the Internet websites with updates all day long:
Denver Post--Forsberg's comeback may be done
Denver Post--Latest injury could be Foppa stopper
Philadelphia Inquirer--Forsberg injures right foot again
Philadelphia Inquirer--Forsberg out of tournament in Finland
Philadelphia Daily News--Big setback for Forsberg
The Hockey News--Forsberg: 'I've never been so close to saying my career is over'
Rocky Mountain News--Forsberg is out again
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Photo above: from The Hockey News website
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Forsberg factor
These days he skates circles and runs drills with Modo of the Swedish league, all part of a reconditioning and rehabilitation regimen to determine if he his ready for the rigors of an NHL season. In a few short weeks though it is expected that health willing, Peter Forsberg and his coveted feet, legs and hands, will soon be heading to North America.Reports and trial balloons out of Sweden, have Forsberg putting together a short list of potential NHL employers, two sure things and a few others that could persuade him if they offer the right opportunity.
Forsberg must be an aficionado of old Brando movies, as it would appear that he wants to go to a team that “could be a contender”.
The sure bets apparently are the Colorado Avalanche and the Ottawa Senators, two teams that Forsberg believes are competitive and possible contenders for the Stanley Cup. The Avs perhaps have a bit more money in the salary cap than the Sens, Ottawa is almost tapped out and still has to negotiate a deal with Jason Spezza. Of course the Sens do have an ace up their sleeve, two top flight goal tenders both of whom could claim the number one status on any team.
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Should they want to clear up some room in the cap zone that would be as good a place as any to start. Already loaded with offensive talent, Forsberg in Ottawa colours would almost be an embarrassment of riches, but we suspect that they’d be willing to suffer that burden in the nation’s capital.
Colorado offers Forsberg the chance to return to a team that he is quite familiar with, having spent ten years in with the Avs organization, including two successful years as Stanley Cup champs in 1996 and 2001, as an added bit of financial incentive, the Avs have more cap room than Ottawa, with some five million clear and free for the best offer potential.
While those are the two front runners, pulses will also quicken in Philadelphia, Detroit and Vancouver, where it’s said that management is quite interested in cobbling together an offer for the now well rested Swede.
It would be interesting to see how Forsberg would fit in with the Flyers who seem a tad confused as to their hockey direction this season, while Detroit might find that landing Forsberg would help to bring back the crowds in the Motor City who have been quite noticeable in their reduced numbers so far this year.
Should they want to clear up some room in the cap zone that would be as good a place as any to start. Already loaded with offensive talent, Forsberg in Ottawa colours would almost be an embarrassment of riches, but we suspect that they’d be willing to suffer that burden in the nation’s capital.
Colorado offers Forsberg the chance to return to a team that he is quite familiar with, having spent ten years in with the Avs organization, including two successful years as Stanley Cup champs in 1996 and 2001, as an added bit of financial incentive, the Avs have more cap room than Ottawa, with some five million clear and free for the best offer potential.
While those are the two front runners, pulses will also quicken in Philadelphia, Detroit and Vancouver, where it’s said that management is quite interested in cobbling together an offer for the now well rested Swede.
It would be interesting to see how Forsberg would fit in with the Flyers who seem a tad confused as to their hockey direction this season, while Detroit might find that landing Forsberg would help to bring back the crowds in the Motor City who have been quite noticeable in their reduced numbers so far this year.
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As for Vancouver, Lord knows they could use a goal scorer or two there, but if Forsberg is serious about wanting to play for a contender it’s hard to see how the Canucks in the present lethargic slump that they are in, would fit that bill. Then again he could be just what they need to finally show Vancouver fans that the team is back on track for a Stanley Cup bid.
Last week the Dallas Stars sent GM Doug Armstrong and team ambassador Brett Hull over to Forsberg’s home town to try and talk him into a Big D rendez vous. But if the reports today are any indication, even the loquacious Hull couldn’t say enough of the rght things about hockey in Texas.
Wherever he lands and providing his health is good (concerns over his feet remain with many), his arrival back from Europe could change the dynamic in the NHL. They’ll be pacing like nervous parents in many NHL cities for the next few weeks while Forsberg ponders his options, it’s expected that he’ll have his mind made up in time for a mid November crossing.
Whichever team ends up with his services may find that suddenly they may be a little lighter at the bank, but will have leapt to the top of the Stanley Cup favourites list
Last week the Dallas Stars sent GM Doug Armstrong and team ambassador Brett Hull over to Forsberg’s home town to try and talk him into a Big D rendez vous. But if the reports today are any indication, even the loquacious Hull couldn’t say enough of the rght things about hockey in Texas.
Wherever he lands and providing his health is good (concerns over his feet remain with many), his arrival back from Europe could change the dynamic in the NHL. They’ll be pacing like nervous parents in many NHL cities for the next few weeks while Forsberg ponders his options, it’s expected that he’ll have his mind made up in time for a mid November crossing.
Whichever team ends up with his services may find that suddenly they may be a little lighter at the bank, but will have leapt to the top of the Stanley Cup favourites list
Friday, February 16, 2007
Forsberg joins the litter
The Peter Forsberg sweepstakes have come to an end, the Flyers traded the injury prone Forsberg to the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, sending him from the ahem doghouse, to the cathouse.
Forsberg will bolster the scoring touch of the Preds who seem quite serious on making this the year of the Cat in the NHL. Nashville is entering uncharted territory for their franchise, a serious contender and perhaps a favorite to come out of the West in the quest for the Stanley Cup.
Forsberg trades addresses with two players, winger Scottie Upshall and defenseman Ryan Parent, while the Preds also gave up a first-round pick and a third-round pick. The Swede will join a Predator team that has been playing some very successful and entertaining hockey of late, holding down first place in the Western Conference, seven points ahead of their nearest rival the Anaheim Ducks.
Acquiring Forsberg provided two benefits for the Predators, they of course gain some more scoring touch for their own team and more importantly kept him away from the three teams that could give them the most trouble in the playoffs.
For Forsberg it will be a chance to return to form and make the most of the rest of the season, he played out the year in Philly occasionally on the sidelines suffering a foot problem, just the latest of injuries in his star crossed NHL career. If there’s a malady to be had by a hockey player, ask Peter he’ll probably be able to tell the tale from diagnosis to treatment.
If he remains healthy he will provide the Nashville collective with some added punch to their offence, he will also add some zip to his status as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. However, he has mentioned from time to time this season that he may just retire at the end of the year, so this may be last shot at a final Stanley Cup in the NHL.
For now he’s a rental player, a hired gun brought in just before the February 27th trading deadline, one of the most recognized of names in the game at the moment. He might be the BIG NAME of the trading season, arriving a week and a half before the deadline.
His arrival in Nashville may move a few dominoes in the West as the GM”s of the other would be contenders reassess their plans and try to find that one piece to the puzzle that will push them towards Stanley as well.
Forsberg will bolster the scoring touch of the Preds who seem quite serious on making this the year of the Cat in the NHL. Nashville is entering uncharted territory for their franchise, a serious contender and perhaps a favorite to come out of the West in the quest for the Stanley Cup.
Forsberg trades addresses with two players, winger Scottie Upshall and defenseman Ryan Parent, while the Preds also gave up a first-round pick and a third-round pick. The Swede will join a Predator team that has been playing some very successful and entertaining hockey of late, holding down first place in the Western Conference, seven points ahead of their nearest rival the Anaheim Ducks.
Acquiring Forsberg provided two benefits for the Predators, they of course gain some more scoring touch for their own team and more importantly kept him away from the three teams that could give them the most trouble in the playoffs.
For Forsberg it will be a chance to return to form and make the most of the rest of the season, he played out the year in Philly occasionally on the sidelines suffering a foot problem, just the latest of injuries in his star crossed NHL career. If there’s a malady to be had by a hockey player, ask Peter he’ll probably be able to tell the tale from diagnosis to treatment.
If he remains healthy he will provide the Nashville collective with some added punch to their offence, he will also add some zip to his status as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. However, he has mentioned from time to time this season that he may just retire at the end of the year, so this may be last shot at a final Stanley Cup in the NHL.
For now he’s a rental player, a hired gun brought in just before the February 27th trading deadline, one of the most recognized of names in the game at the moment. He might be the BIG NAME of the trading season, arriving a week and a half before the deadline.
His arrival in Nashville may move a few dominoes in the West as the GM”s of the other would be contenders reassess their plans and try to find that one piece to the puzzle that will push them towards Stanley as well.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Foraging for Forsberg
His name is probably the marquee name up for grabs as the February 27th trade deadline approaches. Peter Forsberg, currently of the Philadelphia Flyers seems to be the discussion boy around the NHL table these days.
No less than five teams have been mentioned as being possibly interested in his services, from Nashville to Anaheim, San Jose to Detroit and on the outside lane possibly even Vancouver.
The Vancouver captain Markus Naslund is said to have him on his wish list, though when push comes to shove and shaking the cushions for change time comes around it will be GM Dave Nonis that makes the call, not Naslund.
The Ducks are said to be thinking he may be that missing link that sets them over the top on their way to a Stanley Cup final. And one only needs to look at their line up as it is and realize what the offensive output of a Forsberg might do for them in the tough Western division.
Nashville suddenly on everyone’s dance card must surely be thinking that this is the year to make some noise; they may never get there again. Not to mention the PR value of landing such a huge name in hockey, in a market that is still warming up to the game, adding Forsberg to the line up and extending the playoff run might be the difference in next years season ticket sales.
Detroit never willing to admit that the playoffs are not their domain anymore, would make good use of his talents, as the Wings once again ponder their options in a part of the season that they used to own.
San Jose seems like an outside chance, they already have more than enough offensive weapons, but if offered the chance to add some more scoring punch and if able to fit it all into the cap, he could very well send them to the finals.
Then there is his current team the Flyers, it’s said that his team mates are putting the push on him to stick it out in Philly and wait for the good times to return. However, Paul Holmgren might be thinking that the future might be moved along a little quicker if he can parlay Forsberg into some quality players or picks at the upcoming draft.
In less than two weeks we’ll all have an answer, but for now Forsberg is the most talked about asset, the player that everyone seems to want but few know how to manage the financials required to make it happen.
They’ll be sharpening their pencils in the next twelve days, in order to make the numbers work and also to add him to a spot on the daily lineup. Whether he is a rental or long term addition, Forsberg stands to be the main attraction as the deadline comes up fast.
No less than five teams have been mentioned as being possibly interested in his services, from Nashville to Anaheim, San Jose to Detroit and on the outside lane possibly even Vancouver.
The Vancouver captain Markus Naslund is said to have him on his wish list, though when push comes to shove and shaking the cushions for change time comes around it will be GM Dave Nonis that makes the call, not Naslund.
The Ducks are said to be thinking he may be that missing link that sets them over the top on their way to a Stanley Cup final. And one only needs to look at their line up as it is and realize what the offensive output of a Forsberg might do for them in the tough Western division.
Nashville suddenly on everyone’s dance card must surely be thinking that this is the year to make some noise; they may never get there again. Not to mention the PR value of landing such a huge name in hockey, in a market that is still warming up to the game, adding Forsberg to the line up and extending the playoff run might be the difference in next years season ticket sales.
Detroit never willing to admit that the playoffs are not their domain anymore, would make good use of his talents, as the Wings once again ponder their options in a part of the season that they used to own.
San Jose seems like an outside chance, they already have more than enough offensive weapons, but if offered the chance to add some more scoring punch and if able to fit it all into the cap, he could very well send them to the finals.
Then there is his current team the Flyers, it’s said that his team mates are putting the push on him to stick it out in Philly and wait for the good times to return. However, Paul Holmgren might be thinking that the future might be moved along a little quicker if he can parlay Forsberg into some quality players or picks at the upcoming draft.
In less than two weeks we’ll all have an answer, but for now Forsberg is the most talked about asset, the player that everyone seems to want but few know how to manage the financials required to make it happen.
They’ll be sharpening their pencils in the next twelve days, in order to make the numbers work and also to add him to a spot on the daily lineup. Whether he is a rental or long term addition, Forsberg stands to be the main attraction as the deadline comes up fast.
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