Forsberg signs with Colorado
Well, well, well... this just hit my inbox:
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has come to terms with unrestricted free agent Peter Forsberg on a new contract through the 2007-2008 season.Currently in 10th place in the Western Conference and battling to get back into the playoffs, Colorado can certainly use a healthy Forsberg. What we don't know at this point is just how healthy he'll be, and how much he'll be able to contribute.
"We're proud to announce to our fans that Peter Forsberg has decided to come back and play with our franchise where he's enjoyed so much success early in his career," said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. "His addition should complement our roster and will bring our team to an even higher competitive level."
"Over the last several months, I have worked extremely hard in order for this to be possible. I am looking forward to putting this jersey on again," said Forsberg. "I have so many great memories of my playing days in Denver. I'm excited about helping my new teammates and former teammates in the coming weeks, and hopefully I am able to do that in the very near future."
Even still, last season running at nowhere near his peak potential, Forsberg had 55 points in 57 games for Philadelphia and Nashville, and was still a first-line player. The Avs have battled key injuries to their forward corps all season, with Ryan Smyth, Joe Sakic and Paul Statsny all missing considerable time.
All three are now back in the fold, and with Forsberg added to the mix, things have all of a sudden gotten just a little tighter in the west.
| LW | C | RW |
| Wojtek Wolski | Paul Stastny | Marek Svatos |
| Ryan Smyth | Peter Forsberg | Milan Hejduk |
| Jaroslav Hlinka | Joe Sakic | Ben Guite |
| Andrew Brunette | Tyler Arnason | Ian Laperriere |
TSN is reporting Forsberg's contract is for $5-million, which works out to just more than $1-million for the remainder of the season. There's been no word yet if it contains performances bonuses like the midseason deal Teemu Selanne signed in Anaheim.
UPDATE Eric Duhatschek has more.
UPDATE And here's the transcript of Forsberg's conference call.
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by James Mirtle @ 4:32 PM
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14 comments
14 Comments:
Wow, if all their injured guns can get back in time for them to squeak into a low seed, that's quite the little darkhorse forming in the Western Conference.
I guess Forsberg feels good enough to play, he just doesn't feel good enough to play in the playoffs...
So let me guess, Sakic and Hejduk drove a beat-up car around Sweden until they found Foppa, and told him, "Hey man, we're gettin' the band back together..."
I wonder if Philly's 10 game losing streak had anything to do with Forsberg's decision to sign with the Avs.
Is it possible Forsberg will play wing, rather than center?
I voted yes, but it'll also because of Statsny, Sakic and Smyth's return.
- desdemona
I voted yes, but it'll also because of Statsny, Sakic and Smyth's return.
- desdemona
I wonder if this also indicates that the asking prices for the available forwards are outrageous - teams with ties to semi-retired/injured players would rather take a chance on someone who only costs cash, but no prospects or young players.
If Ryan Smyth can't get these guys into the playoffs no one can.
That's a formidable group of forwards, no question. Makes Vancouver's forward lines look awfully thin. Canucks fans were mostly thrilled about the possibility of Forsberg taking their team deep into playoffs this season -- what a bummer if he takes the Avalanche deep instead, especially if it knocks the 'nucks out.
The only problem with this signing is that Forsberg doesn't play goal. Jose Theodore is not taking these guys on a prolonged playoff run.
If Ryan Smyth can't get these guys into the playoffs no one can.
I don't understand the love affair some people have with Ryan Smyth. He's one of the most overrated players in the game today. I guess you've got to be from edmonton.....
1) So when does Rob Blake waive his NTC and return to Denver? ; ) Perhaps Foote is soon on his way home as well?
Forsberg is backstabber.
"Unfinish busniess in philly" my ass.
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