Breaking News: Forsberg signs with Avalanche

[ThomasTomasz]

The Colorado Avalanche have won the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes, signing the centre to return to the team for the rest of the season.

Forsberg spent most of the 2007-08 season recovering from his foot and ankle injuries and recently said it was 'uncertain' that he would return to the NHL.

The five-time All-Star played in 57 games in 2006-07 with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Nashville Predators last season, posting 13 goals and 55 points. He was dealt to the Predators at the trade deadline for Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent and first and third-round draft picks in 2007.

Prior to the trade, Forsberg was limited to 40 games with the Flyers because of a lingering foot injury, but still managed to register 11 goals and 40 points. He has been slowed by injuries over the last few seasons, undergoing surgery on both ankles last summer.

Forsberg was originally drafted sixth overall by the Flyers in the 1991 Entry Draft. He was dealt to the Quebec Nordiques in 1992 as part of a blockbuster deal that saw Philadelphia acquire centre Eric Lindros.

In his first NHL season, Forsberg won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie, scoring 50 points in 47 games.

In ten seasons with the Nordiques and Avalanche, he recorded 216 goals and 741 points. He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Avalanche (1996 and 2001) and won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in 2003 when he recorded 106 points in 75 games.

In August of 2005, Forsberg returned to the team that drafted him when he signed a two-year $11.5-million contract with the Flyers.

The six-foot, 205-pound centre has played in 697 regular-season games over his 12-year career, recording 248 goals and 871 points.

He is also a veteran of international play, having represented Sweden at four Winter Olympics (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006) - winning gold twice. He's played in five World Championships (1992, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2004), two World Cups (1996 and 2004), and two World Junior Championships (1992 and 1993).

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230555&hubname=nhl

[RampantWing]

Get OUT! Oh, my God!

THIS is HUGE.

[J-Pass]

What an asshole.

[MookStunna]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO!!!!!!!!


FIRST, MY SIG IS VALID!!! THANKS RICKUS!!!

SECOND, wow, we are only 4 pts out ofa playoff spot, and his offensive prowess just made us a whole lot better. We legitimatley have a good chance at the playoffs now.

Awesome.

[RampantWing]

I for one RESENT that your sig shows him scoring on the Wings.

And now we have a whole new reason to hate Colorado again. :wink:

[ThomasTomasz]

I'm also thinking that this could entice Rob Blake to waive his NTC to make another run with the guys in Colorado. With Forsberg, the Avs can spare the pieces to make a deal for Blake work. It'll be great to see him going back to the Avs, but I know that some of the Flyers fans are going to be disappointed. Huge deal, and now the rest of the dominoes will begin to fall. I can imagine at least one big deal being consummated tonight.

[MookStunna]

Originally Posted by RampantWing

I for one RESENT that your sig shows him scoring on the Wings.

And now we have a whole new reason to hate Colorado again. :wink:

I can say that I used to hate hate hate hate those motherfuckers!

I can't say that as much as I envy their team play. They have some good talent that would look better in an Avs sweater.

[MookStunna]

Originally Posted by ThomasTomasz

I'm also thinking that this could entice Rob Blake to waive his NTC to make another run with the guys in Colorado. With Forsberg, the Avs can spare the pieces to make a deal for Blake work. It'll be great to see him going back to the Avs, but I know that some of the Flyers fans are going to be disappointed. Huge deal, and now the rest of the dominoes will begin to fall. I can imagine at least one big deal being consummated tonight.

No shit you are right! Blake would maybe come here now that Joe and Petey are both in the lineup...hmm.....

I would take Liles for Blake straight up.

[PuckWizard]

As a Flyers fan, I feel incredibly betrayed. With that said, I'm glad to see Forsberg back, and he'll always remain one of my favorite players. It will be a lot of fun to see him on the ice again, but I'm not going to lie, it's also really going to hurt.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more details, especially what the Flyers have to say. I want to know if the Flyers had an offer on the table, and exactly what the circumstances were that lead to this turn of events.

With Forsberg, and with their healthy players returning, I not only think the Avs are a sure bet to make the playoffs, but in my opinion they are now serious cup contenders. It will take them some time to gel, and it will take Forsberg some time to get back into game shape, but if they are all ready by playoff time watch out. Despite what many people are saying, I'm more than confident Forsberg is still a major difference maker, and in the playoffs, forget about it. He elevates his game to a totally different level. The Ducks and Red Wings certainly won't make it easy for them, but unlike 2 hours ago, I now feel the Avs at least have a chance.

This is also interesting for another reason. This contract expires after this season. He was basically signed to play out the rest of this year and that's it. Obviously his foot feels fine or he wouldn't have made this comeback. What does that mean for this offseason? Assuming his foot still feels good, I can't imagine he wouldn't at least consider playing next season also.

[J-Pass]

Originally Posted by ThomasTomasz

I'm also thinking that this could entice Rob Blake to waive his NTC to make another run with the guys in Colorado. With Forsberg, the Avs can spare the pieces to make a deal for Blake work. It'll be great to see him going back to the Avs, but I know that some of the Flyers fans are going to be disappointed. Huge deal, and now the rest of the dominoes will begin to fall. I can imagine at least one big deal being consummated tonight.

The problem is, the entire locker room changed when word was out that Forsberg was coming back to play for THEM. Then the hold-up came, and they've been losing ever since. It's like it sucked the life right out of them.

Now he's signed with Colorado, after stating he wasn't coming back this season after all? Are you serious? I'm not that upset because I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I'm friends with alot of people associated with the Flyers, and I'm anticipating alot of people upset over this.

[MookStunna]

Originally Posted by PuckWizard

As a Flyers fan, I feel incredibly betrayed. With that said, I'm glad to see Forsberg back, and he'll always remain one of my favorite players. It will be a lot of fun to see him on the ice again, but I'm not going to lie, it's also really going to hurt.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more details, especially what the Flyers have to say. I want to know if the Flyers had an offer on the table, and exactly what the circumstances were that lead to this turn of events.

With Forsberg, and with their healthy players returning, I not only think the Avs are a sure bet to make the playoffs, but in my opinion they are now serious cup contenders. It will take them some time to gel, and it will take Forsberg some time to get back into game shape, but if they are all ready by playoff time watch out. Despite what many people are saying, I'm more than confident Forsberg is still a major difference maker, and in the playoffs, forget about it. He elevates his game to a totally different level. The Ducks and Red Wings certainly won't make it easy for them, but unlike 2 hours ago, I now feel the Avs at least have a chance.

This is also interesting for another reason. This contract expires after this season. He was basically signed to play out the rest of this year and that's it. Obviously his foot feels fine or he wouldn't have made this comeback. What does that mean for this offseason? Assuming his foot still feels good, I can't imagine he wouldn't at least consider playing next season also.

The Avs will have plaenty of space should he choose to hang around next season. I think he helps a lot to give us a chance for the playoffs. Anything further, and I am scurred by the Wings and the Quacks. That and the Avs aren't shit on the blue line.

[wvette609]

Originally Posted by J-Pass

The problem is, the entire locker room changed when word was out that Forsberg was coming back to play for THEM. Then the hold-up came, and they've been losing ever since. It's like it sucked the life right out of them.

Now he's signed with Colorado, after stating he wasn't coming back this season after all? Are you serious? I'm not that upset because I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I'm friends with alot of people associated with the Flyers, and I'm anticipating alot of people upset over this.

Forsberg going to Philly being held up had nothing with the losing streak.

That's a poor excuse by a team playing bad hockey.

[ThomasTomasz]

Sources tell TSN Forsberg will earn $5 million (US) prorated for the remainder of the season, approximately $1 million.

That was added to the article I posted. Not a bad deal for Denver at all.

[J-Pass]

Originally Posted by wvette609

Forsberg going to Philly being held up had nothing with the losing streak.

That's a poor excuse by a team playing bad hockey.

It's different when your locker room is full of young guys that look up Forsberg. It was like being told your childhood hero was going to play on your team and help you, then there was a long period of uncertainty, in which we played like shit and then he said he wasn't coming back. Now this? Bullshit.

Call it an "excuse", but hockey clubs aren't like football teams, where it's all business with interchange-able parts. There's alot contingent on chemistry and morale. This fucked that up.

[wvette609]

Originally Posted by J-Pass

It's different when your locker room is full of young guys that look up Forsberg. It was like being told your childhood hero was going to play on your team and help you, then there was a long period of uncertainty, in which we played like shit and then he said he wasn't coming back. Now this? Bullshit.

Call it an "excuse", but hockey clubs aren't like football teams, where it's all business with interchange-able parts. There's alot contingent on chemistry and morale. This fucked that up.

Uh, chemistry and morale matter in football, chief.

if you need examples

see 2005 Steelers
see 2007 Giants

It's an excuse. They are playing bad hockey because they aren't a very good team.

[PuckWizard]

It's an excuse. They are playing bad hockey because they aren't a very good team.

They are a team that just 2 weeks ago was first place in the division and approaching the top seed in the East. A few factors have lead to a major collapse, but they aren't where they are now because they're a bad team. Obviously they have already proven that with their current roster, they can not only be a good team, but a very good team. A combination of factors has resulted in their recent struggles, but a lack of talent is not one of those factors.

As far as the Forsberg factor goes, I'd say it definitely played a small part. I don't think you can argue that off ice distractions can affect a team's play. All of the Forsberg talk was definitely a distraction. The Flyers were one of the few teams that were very public with their interest in Forsberg, and with that came a lot of questions day in and day out. The players were constantly asked about the eventual return of Forsberg. It was a distraction. Again I won't say it was a major factor, but it was certainly one of the factors that could have played a part in the Flyers recent struggles. Throw in injuries to multiple key players (Gagne, Upshall, Lupul, Downie, Hatcher), along with poor coaching and constant line shuffling, and you end up with the ingrediants to sucking.

[J-Pass]

Originally Posted by wvette609

Uh, chemistry and morale matter in football, chief.

if you need examples

see 2005 Steelers
see 2007 Giants

It's an excuse. They are playing bad hockey because they aren't a very good team.

I was taking a shot at you with the football line, not sure how I intended that to come off. Anyway, I don't pretend to be an expert on hockey, but I've got friends on the team and I take their word over you saying it's an excuse.

[wvette609]

Originally Posted by J-Pass

I was taking a shot at you with the football line, because I didn't think you know shit about hockey players. I don't pretend to be an expert on hockey, but I've got friends on the team and I take their word over you saying it's an excuse.

If that was a shot at me, it was pretty poor. Might want to work on that.

I know plenty about hockey. Maybe not as much as some other guys who only follow it religiously but I know plenty.

I certainly know an excuse when I hear one.

[wvette609]

Originally Posted by PuckWizard

They are a team that just 2 weeks ago was first place in the division and approaching the top seed in the East. A few factors have lead to a major collapse, but they aren't where they are now because they're a bad team. Obviously they have already proven that with their current roster, they can not only be a good team, but a very good team. A combination of factors has resulted in their recent struggles, but a lack of talent is not one of those factors.

As far as the Forsberg factor goes, I'd say it definitely played a small part. I don't think you can argue that off ice distractions can affect a team's play. All of the Forsberg talk was definitely a distraction. The Flyers were one of the few teams that were very public with their interest in Forsberg, and with that came a lot of questions day in and day out. The players were constantly asked about the eventual return of Forsberg. It was a distraction. Again I won't say it was a major factor, but it was certainly one of the factors that could have played a part in the Flyers recent struggles. Throw in injuries to multiple key players (Gagne, Upshall, Lupul, Downie, Hatcher), along with poor coaching and constant line shuffling, and you end up with the ingrediants to sucking.

Perhaps my language was a bit strong.

They have talent but they aren't playing very good hockey recently.

I can see your points as being reasons why they aren't and I think you listed far better ones than "it's cause they didn't get Forsberg".

Now if they continue playing shitty, eventually you have to either look at the coach or the talent.

[J-Pass]

It may be an excuse, but it's a excuse that's affected their chemistry and morale over the past few weeks.

I don't think the Flyers are a terrible team, but they'll need to recoup from this. The bad things about slumps is that they're hard to break out of and easier to maintain. We're a young team, we should be able to bounce back.

In other news, did anyone else from Philadelphia (looking at PuckWizard), attend the Flyers Wives carnival yesterday? I only got to be around for a little while, played my boy Ryan in some Guitar Hero, did a little reconnaissance work in the studio. It was a good time though.