Peter Forsberg Will Skate Tonight Against The Blue Jackets

Added on Feb 11, 2011 by J Merrill in

NHL

Peter Forsberg will skate in his first NHL game in almost three years. The Avalanche will head to Columbus where they will face the Blue Jackets tonight. Forsberg signed with the Avs on February 6 after recovering from a foot injury that has been hampering him for almost the entire time. The delay in getting him on the ice had been due to Forsberg receiving a work visa to play in the U.S.

Forsberg told the Denver post that he had some butterflies, but he is excited. He said “I’m excited and nervous. 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.”

During the team’s morning practice, Forsberg skated at left wing on a line with Matt Duchene and Milan Hejduk. Duchenne said “It’s going to be good. He’s obviously a great passer and I’m just hoping he can find me out there and maybe I can get a couple goals. I think it’s a good thing for us, a good distraction for us, maybe make us a little bit lighter. Every team goes through tough stretches, but it’s far from over and hopefully we can get back in to a playoff spot.”

Coach Joe Sacco is hoping that happens as well, as the Avs have lost five straight and have fallen to 14th in the Western Conference, seven points behind eighth-place Calgary. He said “We’re hoping he can help create some offense for us. He brings experience and he brings winning to our club. He’s won some Stanley Cups, and you can never have enough of those guys, guys who have been through those kinds of games and experiences.”

Avalanche Captain Adam Foote, who played with Forsberg when he won the Stanley Cup with Colorado, said he is looking forward to whatever Forsberg brings to the table. “I don’t know where he’s going to be after that long break, but even if he’s not going to be at that ultimate level, a Forsberg at any level is good for your hockey team. Especially a young team like ours, that is struggling and been through a lot of injuries. We’re going through a lull, and what better way to get out of it than add a Peter Forsberg? He’ll help us on the ice. He’ll help us in the dressing room. We need to fight and there is no one more competitive in this game. Why else would he still be here trying? If he still wants it … what’s anyone else’s excuse?”