Forsberg Set To Skate For Avs Against Columbus


It's been about three years since Peter Forsberg last skated on NHL. But he is set to make his return with the team he has spent most of his NHL career with - the Colorado Avalanche.

The Denver Post's Adrian Dater reported Thursday morning that the 37-year old forward would make his comeback tonight and skate on the left wing side of a line alongside Matt Duchene and Milan Hejduk.

"I'm excited - and nervous," Forsberg told The Denver Post, after taking part in the morning skate with teammates at Nationwide Arena. "I don't know how it's going to go, but I'm going to be skating with two great players, so hopefully they can help me out a little bit out there."

Forsberg left the NHL after last playing in Game 3 of the 2008 Western Conference Semifinals due to his lingering foot problems that hampered him since his days with the Philadelphia Flyers. He has played, albeit in a limited capacity, over in Sweden with MoDo over the past two years and even managed to suit up for Sweden in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

A return to the NHL was a long shot, however. He began working out with the Avalanche recently with the intent of judging how possible a comeback would be. Apparently, everything went well and he inked a pro-rated $1 million contract on Sunday.

Nobody should honestly expect the Forsberg of old. He is older, three years removed from the most intense league in the world and has not shown a true ability to hold up very well over the long haul. But Forsberg is also one of the greatest offensive players intellectually of all time and was at one time considered the best playmaker in hockey. He is also a tremendous playoff performer and helped guide Colorado to two Stanley Cups during his first tenure with the organzation.

For a team that needs an offensive boost and the quality leadership skills Forsberg can still bring to the table, it's definitely worth a shot to see if Forsberg can help. Just don't expect him to play every game or be on the score sheet in every single game he does play.