Forsberg comeback?

PuckWizard · #1 01-14-2008, 08:27 PM

Peter Forsberg is once again attempting a comeback to the NHL. For the first time in a while, Forsberg actually did an interview addressing his current status. He will begin skating within the next 2-3 weeks to test his right foot. Forsberg said that for the first time in a long time, he is "optimistic" that things will work out, while at the same time acknowledging that if they don't, this is probably the end for him.

Earlier this year, Forsberg said that he would only return to one of the three teams he previously played for (Colorado, Philadelphia, Nasvhille). He has since amended that statement and said that there are other options, including staying in Sweden and playing for Modo.

With all of that said, it has been widely speculated that the Flyers are the favorites to land Forsberg should he make a return. Paul Holmgren is one of the few GM's that has publicly stated that he would be interested if Forsberg returns. Forsberg has publicly stated his appreciation and fondness of the Flyers organization. Hockey insider Chuck Gormley even reported yesterday that the Flyers and Forsberg's agent have gone as far as discussing a new contract.

It will be very interesting to see this situation continue to develope over the next couple of weeks. You have to believe that if Forsberg does make it official that he will be returning to the NHL, all 30 teams will likely be interested.

ThomasTomasz · #2 01-14-2008, 08:36 PM

Flyers are definitely going to be a player for Forsberg, and I would have to expect Colorado is going to be interested. Right now, both Sakic and Smyth are out with injuries, and some ground will be lost. Forsberg can't help stop the bleeding now, but he can definitely help the team during the stretch run.

As a Washington fan, I would love to see Forsberg alongside fellow Swede Nicklas Backstrom, who has drawn comparisons to Forsberg. It's probably not going to happen, but it would definitely be an exciting combination.

PuckWizard · #3 01-14-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

As a Washington fan, I would love to see Forsberg alongside fellow Swede Nicklas Backstrom, who has drawn comparisons to Forsberg. It's probably not going to happen, but it would definitely be an exciting combination.

It would be wise for the Caps to try to lure Foppa to Washington, not only to help Backstrom's developement, but also because the Caps are very much in the hunt to win the Southeast.

Let's start with Backstrom though. While he has been playing a lot of wing this season, this kid is going to be a center, and a very good one down the road. Having a fellow Swedish center in Forsberg tutor him would certainly help his developement. Like you said, they are similar players.

And again, the Southeast is an extremely weak division right now. All five teams have a shot. Adding a player of Forsberg's caliber would probably make the Caps instant favorites. He's that good!

One thing I forgot to mention in the first post; the deadline for Forsberg to sign with an NHL team is February 26th. He'd be able to sign after that, but then he wouldn't be eligible to play in the playoffs.

brothers11 · #4 01-15-2008, 07:30 AM

I don't think we will see Forsberg play again. His foot problems have kept him away from the rink for a considerable amount of time. I report I read earlier in the year was he tried to skate with a new boot a few months back and left the ice after less than an hour in considerable pain.

smoney · #5 01-15-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brothers11

I don't think we will see Forsberg play again. His foot problems have kept him away from the rink for a considerable amount of time. I report I read earlier in the year was he tried to skate with a new boot a few months back and left the ice after less than an hour in considerable pain.

I agree......his foot problems are going to end his career prematurely. It's really a shame to waste his talent.

Dannomyte · #6 01-15-2008, 08:34 AM

Wings GM Kenny Holland has openly said they would be interested in Forsberg if he is able to make a comeback to the NHL. If he did join the Wings that would make 8 Swedes on the team.

PuckWizard · #7 01-15-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brothers11

I don't think we will see Forsberg play again. His foot problems have kept him away from the rink for a considerable amount of time. I report I read earlier in the year was he tried to skate with a new boot a few months back and left the ice after less than an hour in considerable pain.

Kinda sorta! You're referring to the Karjala Cup back in November. It's a tournament in Sweden that Forsberg wanted to participate in. His exact quote was his foot felt "unstable" in the boot. He never said anything about being in "considerable pain." Recent developments in his rehab have led Forsberg to be "optimistic" that he will be able to return. This is the first time I have heard him say this. Usually it was a "we'll see how it goes" approach. His doctor also believes that his foot will hold up just fine when he starts skating at full speed next week.

Here are a few more quotes from Forsberg regarding his potential comeback:

"I believe in the doctor when he says it will work. And I do want to play hockey,"

"I will definitely choose a team that is guaranteed to reach the playoffs, that has a chance to win the Stanley Cup,"

That last one definitely narrows his options a little bit. I bet that in his head he's narrowed his options to Ottawa, Detroit, Montreal, Philadelphia, and Vancouver.

brothers11 · #8 01-15-2008, 12:29 PM

Shortly before this stint, he said he felt liek he could skate again and had clearence from doctors. Seems a bit more than just unstable.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3095918

PuckWizard · #9 01-15-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brothers11

Shortly before this stint, he said he felt liek he could skate again and had clearence from doctors. Seems a bit more than just unstable.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3095918

"doesn't feel good"

"didn't pass his personal test"

I didn't see anything about "considerable pain. I also didn't read anything about him being "optimistic" going into the Karjala Cup. These were the exact same terms Forsberg was using in his time with the Flyers. This guy is a competitor to the highest degree. He refuses to play if he feels he can't play up to his personal expectations. He sets such high standards for himself, and he won't play if he feels he can't meet them. He has too much pride for himself and the game. He's one guy that you can take his words very literally. If he says he's optimistic, then we all should have good reason to believe that he'll be back.

brothers11 · #10 01-15-2008, 01:04 PM

jesus did I write considerable pain as a direct quote? All I am saying is that the last time he got off the ice he said this is the first time retirement had actually entered his mind. To me, that seems that it was closer to "considerable pain" than "ehhh, this is uncomfortable, perhaps I will retire." He also said that he embarassed himself by trying to play on it. Teams will continue to speculate on his availability but it is wishful thinking.

PuckWizard · #11 01-15-2008, 01:41 PM

I'm just saying that Forsberg is an extremely honest person. He's one guy that when he speaks, which he rarely does, you have to take what he says literally. I understand that athletes in general often throw around words like "optimistic" when they are rehabbing. When Forsberg says he's optimistic, he really believes it. Again, it's not a word he tossed around during his time with the Flyers, Predators, and thus far this season. When he says that he'll only play for a cup contender, you better believe that he'll only play for a cup contender. All I'm saying is that you can't read between the lines or assume things with Peter Forsberg. He's not putting on an act. If he was in pain, he'd say so. If he was pessimistic about a return, he'd say so. He knows his body better than anyone, and right now he says he's feeling good. Based on his track record, I'll take his word for it, and therefore believe that we'll be hearing about his return to the NHL in the next few weeks.

brothers11 · #12 01-15-2008, 01:48 PM

Time will tell I suppose. I would love to see him back in the NHL, but not as a shell of the player he was.

PuckWizard · #13 01-15-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brothers11

Time will tell I suppose. I would love to see him back in the NHL, but not as a shell of the player he was.

I agree. I don't want him to come back and make a fool of himself. I don't think he will do that though. If he doesn't feel he can play up to his expectations, he won't come back. He has too much pride, and he's very unselfish.

PuckWizard · #14 01-21-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

The Canadian Press

1/21/2008 2:17:12 PM

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Peter Forsberg practised with his hometown team Monday in what was seen as a possible sign of a comeback.

The 34-year-old Forsberg has been sidelined with a foot and ankle injury since finishing last season with the Nashville Predators. But Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson said last week that the forward may try to play in the LG Hockey Games in Stockholm between Feb. 7-10.

On Monday, Forsberg joined Modo for a brief practice session in his hometown of Ornskoldsvik ahead of the team's league match against Frolunda, Swedish media reported.

"I know that he has been practising, but that's all I know," Forsberg's father, Kent Forsberg, told newspaper Aftonbladet.

Both Aftonbladet and Expressen had reports of the training session on their websites, and said Forsberg's participation could be a sign he's preparing for a return to the ice.

Forsberg first intended to play for Sweden in the Karjala Cup in November but had to pull out after the first practice session saying his foot felt unstable. Forsberg has said he is hoping for a return to the NHL, but is unsure what team he would play for. The deadline to sign with a team is Feb. 26.

Forsberg won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2003 after scoring 29 goals and adding 77 assists. He also helped lead Sweden to Olympic gold medals in Lillehammer in 1994 and Turin in 2006.

Injuries have plagued him in recent years and he hasn't played more than 60 games in a season since suiting up for 75 games in 2002-03 with the Avalanche.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227850&hubname=

Well this is the first step in Forsberg's NHL comeback. He said he would be skating at some point this week, and sure enough he was out on the ice Monday. Now I guess we should wait and see if he makes any comments on how he felt during and after the skate.

MookStunna · #15 01-21-2008, 03:06 PM

From the viewpoint of a huge AVS fan:

Petey come back you bastard! Your team needs you more than ever, as yes, we are missing Sakic, Smyth, and now Statsny!

Although he was oft-injured while he was here for all those glorious years, he was the best two way player in the game, and I shit you not, the best player to watch play hockey. Things he does or used to do, I have not seen anyone do. His physicality along with puckhandling and defense really made him King Shit of Fuck Mountain when he was not hurt.

That being said, IF he is healthy enough to comeback to the NHL, I do hope its with the AVS.

ThomasTomasz · #16 01-21-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiveminutemajor

From the viewpoint of a huge AVS fan:

Petey come back you bastard! Your team needs you more than ever, as yes, we are missing Sakic, Smyth, and now Statsny!

Although he was oft-injured while he was here for all those glorious years, he was the best two way player in the game, and I shit you not, the best player to watch play hockey. Things he does or used to do, I have not seen anyone do. His physicality along with puckhandling and defense really made him King Shit of Fuck Mountain when he was not hurt.

That being said, IF he is healthy enough to comeback to the NHL, I do hope its with the AVS.

My feeling is that it's either going to be going to the Avs, or he's going to go to the Flyers. Both teams are very familiar to Forsberg, and the Avs are a team that really needs him. I'd like to see him go to the Capitals- a center of his caliber to replace Nylander would be great- but I don't see it happening, even with Nicklas Backstrom on our team.

That said, I hope he goes to the Avs, because we wouldn't have to play against him.

PuckWizard · #17 01-21-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiveminutemajor

From the viewpoint of a huge AVS fan:

Petey come back you bastard! Your team needs you more than ever, as yes, we are missing Sakic, Smyth, and now Statsny!

Although he was oft-injured while he was here for all those glorious years, he was the best two way player in the game, and I shit you not, the best player to watch play hockey. Things he does or used to do, I have not seen anyone do. His physicality along with puckhandling and defense really made him King Shit of Fuck Mountain when he was not hurt.

That being said, IF he is healthy enough to comeback to the NHL, I do hope its with the AVS.

I hear you man. As a Flyers fan, I was able to enjoy this guy for a good year and a half. When he was with the Flyers, I realized that nobody really appreciates him as much as the fans that get to watch him play everyday. Most hockey fans respect him, and they are aware he's a good player, but few realize how good he really is. Like you said, he does shit that nobody else does. He's a really special player, and most don't appreciate how special.

Obviously, I'm hoping he comes back to Philadelphia. Obviously I think the chance to win another cup will be a huge factor in Foppa's decision. The Flyers are definitely peaking right now, and the timing of this hot streak couldn't be better. I'm hoping that the Flyers recent play, along with the familiarity he has with the organization and the players, will lead him back to the orange and black.

If it's not the Flyers, I'm thinking it's going to be the Avs.

We shouldn't have to wait too much longer for a decision.

PuckWizard · #18 01-22-2008, 06:53 PM

Good news for Forsberg fans! As I mentioned in a previous post, he skated on Monday to test his foot and ankle. Apparently, the skate went very well, and he remains optimistic that he can return.

Quote:

Peter Forsberg gave his comeback attempt another thumbs-up Monday when he told reporters in his hometown of Ornskoldsvik that his right foot has responded well to hard skating.

Forsberg, 34, skated with his former Swedish team, Modo, on Monday after three sessions on his own last week.

"It's fun to be back on the ice," Forsberg said. "It feels good and it's absolutely going in the right direction.

"I'm positive and think I'm going to make it. But it is too early to say anything for sure, and I want to be a 100 percent before I make any decisions."

Forsberg underwent a corrective procedure on his right foot in November and has been pleased with his progress every since. He said he will skate with Modo through the rest of this week, then decide whether to begin his comeback with the Swedish national team or an NHL team.

"We haven't started any (NHL) talks yet," Forsberg said. "When I feel I am 100 percent fit and ready I will look at the options. I know the time is running away, but I still have a couple of weeks to be absolutely sure about my status."

Forsberg said it is "not totally out of the question" that he will play for Sweden in the LG Hockey Games in Stockholm from Feb. 7-10. Forsberg has received an invitation to play in the tournament from Swedish coach Bengt Gustafsson.

"Of course I want him in the tournament and so far he's on schedule," Gustafsson said. "It would be huge for the tournament -- and for Peter himself."

Forsberg has played in 98 games for the Swedish national team and could use the tournament as a mini-training camp for the NHL.

The Flyers remain the front-runners in the Swedestakes and it is not out of the question Forsberg will be in a Flyers uniform on Valentine's Day.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/index.html

ThomasTomasz · #19 01-25-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Peter Forsberg skated with his former team, Modo, of the Swedish Elite League for 90 minutes Wednesday and said his reconstructed right foot held up just fine according to the Courier-Post.

Forsberg also admitted that if he experiences a major setback in his comeback attempt, he would end his playing career.

It would likely take about $2.4 million a season to sign Forsberg to a deal that covers this season and next. That means the Flyers would pay Forsberg a prorated amount of $1 million over the final 30 games of this season.

Source: Courier-Post

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/rumors;_...d9YKWJ8rJ7vLYF

PuckWizard · #20 01-25-2008, 10:45 PM

Well it sounds like the foot is holding up. He said he was skating at "full speed." I understand that's not a game situation, but still, you'd have to believe he knows how to test it by now. I can now say with confidence that Forsberg will be playing somewhere in the NHL this season. Which team is anyone's guess, but he'll be back.