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The Forsberg Dilemma: My Unsolicited Opinion |
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Yesterday, I had an email exchange with one of Peter Forsberg's former teammates, who has only seen Foppa play a couple times this year.
He couldn't believe how often Forsberg fell down on his own, how he had no acceleration and how he simply can't create space for himself. Half the time he's struggling even to keep up with the play.
I was not at last night's game against the Penguins, but Philadelphia beat writers Anthony San Filippo, Ed Moran and Wayne Fish
all chronicled Forsberg's own comments after the game. A very frustrated Forsberg said his surgically reconstructed foot and bad ankle haven't improved and even with the latest device they've tried--a customized orthopedic insert-- every part of his game is being affected.
Forsberg has said, both publicly and privately, that his foot (not the Flyers record, front office, or anything else) is what prevents him from renegotiating his contract, which is set to expire after this season.
Right now, every team in the NHL is aware of Forsberg's physical problems. He has his burning desire to win to offer a team, but he's giving 100% of what he has to contribute physically to ANY club, and the results aren't pretty.
Additionally, the Flyers are very keenly aware of the fact that Forsberg, as limited as he is right now, is all that's separating them from being as hideous as the Tampa Bay Lightning clubs of the late 1990s.
There is already plenty of youth in this organization, with more on the way next season (Claude Giroux, Oskars Bartulis and Steve Downie are all likely to bypass the AHL and start in the NHL next season).
What the Flyers need is experienced players who can deliver, especially on the blueline, but also up front.
Given that a) it doesn't seem like Forsberg's physical problems will be solved by continuing down the current path, and b) no NHL team would give up the kind of value that should even make the Flyers entertain the thought of dealing him this year, here is what I think should happen.
The Flyers should shut Forsberg down (remember that he originally wasn't supposed to return until January, anyway) and take whatever additional steps are needed to improve his skating. That may or may not mean more surgery or at least more rehab to try to rebuild his strength and balance.
If he's able to do so, have Forsberg try to play late this season to test his foot.
Contract-wise, I really think the best course of action for all parties-- both the Flyers and Forsberg-- is to sign a one-year deal for 2007-2008.
Come next season, if he's OK physically but the team is still in dire straights, THEN the Flyers can deal him to a contender for a better return than you could get this year. Additionally, the Flyers would also likely have the benefit of a higher draft pick in the first round, yet still have Forsberg for at least one more year.
From Forsberg's perspective, a one-year deal would give him more time to see how he's coming along physically. Come the end of next season, he could do as he sees fit as a UFA.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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