What looked like an exciting revival of the rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche is looking more like a cat's fight with a mouse, after the mouse is out cold.
Colorado, again without Peter Forsberg, had absolutely nothing going for them as they got creamed by a Red Wings team that is looking more and more like a real cup contender. Chris Osgood keeps showing us he's still got what it takes to go all the way and Johan Franzen is playing like a man posessed, leading the playoffs is scoring after his hat-trick.
I really though the Avs would put up more of a fight even without Forsberg, but the shaky play by Jose Theodore has to be coach Quenneville's biggest worry right now. Peter Budaj replaced the former Hart Trophy winner for the second straight game and was great, giving up just one goal. If Budaj, who will surely get the start in Game 3 in Denver, can keep playing like this it will give the Avs an oppurtunity to get back into this series. If not, this series will be over in four.
Showing posts with label Peter Forsberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Forsberg. Show all posts
4/27/2008
3/09/2008
Good to be back!
Take a look at the picture above, I think it's pretty awesome. I don't know what Joe Sakic is saying to Peter Forsberg, but I bet it is something along the line of "Good to have you back, buddy." And boy, are they glad. When Forsberg, who logged more ice time than any other Avs forward, turned up his game a notch in the third period, which led to two goals, it was nothing if not vintage Forsberg. I can't wait to see how well he'll play once he gets a few more games under his belt. After the game Ian Laperriere was very excited about how good Forsberg looked on the ice, and really, who wouldn't be. What team in the Western Conference will want to square off against the Avs in the first round?
3/06/2008
Peter the Great returns
If one didn't know better, one would assume this picture was taken a couple of years ago (I guess the new jersey sort of gives it away). But it isn't and I'm thrilled to see him back. The amazing thing about Peter Forsberg is that whenever he makes a comeback he is great, just like he was against Vancouver the other night. he hasn't played a game for almost a full year but you can't tell. Who else is capable of that?
Terry Frei, who writes for ESPN wrote, "He looked rusty, but certainly not out of place." Most other hockey experts agreed Forsberg looked all but rusty in his debut at Pepsi Center.
Peter Forsberg has taken a lot of abuse since he first started talking about making another comeback in the NHL. You would think all the experts should have learned by now that Peter Forsberg is not like most other players in the league, but no, most of them were ready to write him off once again. I will admit that when he pulled out of the LG Hockey games in November that was a close as I've ever been to believing his time as a player had come to an end. The fire in his eyes wasn't there. He looked done. Of course he wasn't and he probably knew even then.
Peter Forsberg's stats, which are great (especially his playoff numbers), don't even begin to tell how great a player he is. He has deep passion for the game, one that is rare, at least to that degree. His stubborness to never give up, his will to win and his hatred of losing makes him special and there few if any like him.
I consider myself very fortunate that I am ones again able to see him out there on the ice along side Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk and I am sure many share my feelings.
2/05/2008
Ottawa falling apart
The Ottawa Senators still sit on top of the Northeast Divison, but now just three points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens. The team has been miserable lately and are 17-19 since their 15-2 start to the 2007-08 season. After a big loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach John Paddock called a crisis meeting with his players to try to prevent the team from falling apart even further.
The Sens have been playing without their captain, Daniel Alfredsson, for a while, he is recovering from hip injury, and Dany Heatley has missed 10 straight games. Considering how well the Sens played earlier in the season and also how great they were last season and through out the playoffs; who could have guess they of all teams would fall apart at the seams without a couple of key players? Yes, they have a very dominant first line, but they did get a lot of goals from other lines also. Since Heatley is a plus/minus machine, without him the Sens top line gets scored on a lot more. Jason Spezza, the only of the big three who is healthy, and Alfredsson both have great plus/minus stats but after them there is no one among the Ottawa forwards.
I don't to what extent the continuing problem with Ray Emery is affecting the situation, but I am pretty sure it isn't helping the team. It is unfortunate to have a goalie who isn't thinking team first, and I am sure John Paddock would be glad to get rid of Emery if only they weren't in the situation where they still need him.
It is clear, however, more of the Sens need to step up in the absence of Heatley and Alfredsson, especially Spezza. With those two out he is the guy the other players look to and he has to step it up and produce.
I am sure the Senators will get through this, and maybe they will be a stronger team for it, but I also think they have realized they are more vunerable than they thought. For that reason they remain a strong contender in the race to aquire Peter Forsberg.
The Sens have been playing without their captain, Daniel Alfredsson, for a while, he is recovering from hip injury, and Dany Heatley has missed 10 straight games. Considering how well the Sens played earlier in the season and also how great they were last season and through out the playoffs; who could have guess they of all teams would fall apart at the seams without a couple of key players? Yes, they have a very dominant first line, but they did get a lot of goals from other lines also. Since Heatley is a plus/minus machine, without him the Sens top line gets scored on a lot more. Jason Spezza, the only of the big three who is healthy, and Alfredsson both have great plus/minus stats but after them there is no one among the Ottawa forwards.
I don't to what extent the continuing problem with Ray Emery is affecting the situation, but I am pretty sure it isn't helping the team. It is unfortunate to have a goalie who isn't thinking team first, and I am sure John Paddock would be glad to get rid of Emery if only they weren't in the situation where they still need him.
It is clear, however, more of the Sens need to step up in the absence of Heatley and Alfredsson, especially Spezza. With those two out he is the guy the other players look to and he has to step it up and produce.
I am sure the Senators will get through this, and maybe they will be a stronger team for it, but I also think they have realized they are more vunerable than they thought. For that reason they remain a strong contender in the race to aquire Peter Forsberg.
1/22/2008
Forsberg closer to comeback
Peter Forsberg is back on ice, but his premiere skate wasn't at last nights MoDo practice. His first practice since leaving Team Sweden just before he was suposed to join them for Karjala Cup took place at MoDo's old arena late at night when everyone had gone home and the staff had locked up. On the ice he was joined by just his old friend Henrik Gradin.
This guy will never cease to amaze or surprise me. When he gave up his comeback last year I was closer than ever to believing retirement was upon one of the greatest hockey players ever. But it was not, he wasn't done. This guys doesn't know the meaning of the word quit, and I am greatful for it.
If everything goes as planned, Forsberg will continue practicing with MoDo before joining Team Sweden at LG Hockey Games. Then, at the trade deadline he will hopefully be joining one of the possible 30 teams wanting his services. According to himself he is in better shape than ever, and a healthy Peter Forsberg is still better than most players, at least on this planet.
The Philadelphia Flyers are still both very interested and hopeful. It seems fitting he should pick the team he feels he didn't give anywhere near his best during the one and a half seasons he played there. Of course that is just his own opinion. Everyone else knows that, even though he was injured a lot during his tenure with the Flyers, when he did play he was their best player.
Lately, with the return of Simon Gagne, the Flyers are looking more and more like a strong playoff team (they are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games). With Peter Forsberg, hungry to prove he isn't totally useless (again, his own words), back in the lineup the Flyers will become a strong Cup contender.
* * *
On a different note, the Toronto Maple Leafs fired John Ferguson Jr and replaced him with Cliff Fletcher, who was made interim general manger. One down, several to go.
This guy will never cease to amaze or surprise me. When he gave up his comeback last year I was closer than ever to believing retirement was upon one of the greatest hockey players ever. But it was not, he wasn't done. This guys doesn't know the meaning of the word quit, and I am greatful for it.
If everything goes as planned, Forsberg will continue practicing with MoDo before joining Team Sweden at LG Hockey Games. Then, at the trade deadline he will hopefully be joining one of the possible 30 teams wanting his services. According to himself he is in better shape than ever, and a healthy Peter Forsberg is still better than most players, at least on this planet.
The Philadelphia Flyers are still both very interested and hopeful. It seems fitting he should pick the team he feels he didn't give anywhere near his best during the one and a half seasons he played there. Of course that is just his own opinion. Everyone else knows that, even though he was injured a lot during his tenure with the Flyers, when he did play he was their best player.
Lately, with the return of Simon Gagne, the Flyers are looking more and more like a strong playoff team (they are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games). With Peter Forsberg, hungry to prove he isn't totally useless (again, his own words), back in the lineup the Flyers will become a strong Cup contender.
* * *
On a different note, the Toronto Maple Leafs fired John Ferguson Jr and replaced him with Cliff Fletcher, who was made interim general manger. One down, several to go.
11/19/2007
Lindros and Forsberg meet again
In his column on TSN.ca Dan Pollard brings up the Lindros/Forsberg debate. With Peter Forsberg closer than ever to the end of his career, the question is raised whether neither, both or just one of them should be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Pollard wants them both in, and so do I.
Pollard points out some of the similarities and differences between Eric Lindros and Forsberg, and there are of course many. Expectations from others fall in both categories, if you ask me.
The high expectations Lindros had to carry early in his career, being named "The Next One", are now becoming a yet another burden as he is seen almost as a failure for not living up to those impossible standards. But I don't agree that Forsberg didn't have very high expectations on his shoulders when entering the NHL back in 1994. Compared to those resting on Lindros I guess no one really has any expectations to talk about. However, Peter Forsberg has lived with people anticipating greatness since he was 15 and those hopes sure didn't diminish as he got cracking in the NHL.
During a period in the mid-nineties Eric Lindros was one of the most dominant players in the NHL and that is what he should be judged by. The same goes for Peter Forsberg. Not that his stats are bad, but goals and assists aside, Forsberg is arguably one of the best, if the not the best, two-way hockey player the NHL has ever seen.
When comparing the two it is often stated that Forsberg played on a better team, thus earning him 144 playoff games and two Stanley Cups. I'm not buying that argument. Lindros played on a great team for most part of the 90s. They got close to drinking from the cup, but a lot of great teams have lost in the Stanley Cup Final. You want to talk about someone who performes greatness on a bad team, it's not Eric Lindros, but perhaps Mats Sundin. But we will deal with him when the time comes.
I would say there are more than enough resons to induct both these great players. And if they for some reason decide not to, they will have to explain to future fans why those two hockey icons of the 90s aren't in the Hall of Fame.
Pollard points out some of the similarities and differences between Eric Lindros and Forsberg, and there are of course many. Expectations from others fall in both categories, if you ask me.
The high expectations Lindros had to carry early in his career, being named "The Next One", are now becoming a yet another burden as he is seen almost as a failure for not living up to those impossible standards. But I don't agree that Forsberg didn't have very high expectations on his shoulders when entering the NHL back in 1994. Compared to those resting on Lindros I guess no one really has any expectations to talk about. However, Peter Forsberg has lived with people anticipating greatness since he was 15 and those hopes sure didn't diminish as he got cracking in the NHL.
During a period in the mid-nineties Eric Lindros was one of the most dominant players in the NHL and that is what he should be judged by. The same goes for Peter Forsberg. Not that his stats are bad, but goals and assists aside, Forsberg is arguably one of the best, if the not the best, two-way hockey player the NHL has ever seen.
When comparing the two it is often stated that Forsberg played on a better team, thus earning him 144 playoff games and two Stanley Cups. I'm not buying that argument. Lindros played on a great team for most part of the 90s. They got close to drinking from the cup, but a lot of great teams have lost in the Stanley Cup Final. You want to talk about someone who performes greatness on a bad team, it's not Eric Lindros, but perhaps Mats Sundin. But we will deal with him when the time comes.
I would say there are more than enough resons to induct both these great players. And if they for some reason decide not to, they will have to explain to future fans why those two hockey icons of the 90s aren't in the Hall of Fame.
11/06/2007
Never say never again
As much as I am hoping that Peter Forsberg's foot will finally heal, I have to admit it is not looking very good at the moment. In fact things are looking more bleak than ever. When he stepped off the ice, ending practice with the national team early, the look on his face said it all. When asked by a Swedish reporter, "Had he ever been closer to retiring than now", Forsberg just answered "No".
It seems likely this was the end of the line for the guy who just a few years ago was considered the best all-round player in the known universe, but one should keep one thing in mind, this guy is as stubborn as they come. In fact, what brought him to the top, got him two Stanley Cups, Olympic golds, the Hart Trophy and so much more was, except his amazing talent, also his stubbornness. Peter Forsberg is a winner and he absolutely hates losing, and even though he is probably contemplating retirement now more than ever before, it seems unlikely he would let someone or something other than him self decide when it is quitting time.
When reading all the papers and hockey reporters it is quite clear that most of them are now ready to write him off, and perhaps this is the end of the line for the future Hall of famer. It is just that when it comes to Forsberg I refuse to say it's over before I hear the words coming out of his mouth, "This is it. I quit." Until that happens, I will continue to hope for more magic.
It seems likely this was the end of the line for the guy who just a few years ago was considered the best all-round player in the known universe, but one should keep one thing in mind, this guy is as stubborn as they come. In fact, what brought him to the top, got him two Stanley Cups, Olympic golds, the Hart Trophy and so much more was, except his amazing talent, also his stubbornness. Peter Forsberg is a winner and he absolutely hates losing, and even though he is probably contemplating retirement now more than ever before, it seems unlikely he would let someone or something other than him self decide when it is quitting time.
When reading all the papers and hockey reporters it is quite clear that most of them are now ready to write him off, and perhaps this is the end of the line for the future Hall of famer. It is just that when it comes to Forsberg I refuse to say it's over before I hear the words coming out of his mouth, "This is it. I quit." Until that happens, I will continue to hope for more magic.
10/31/2007
Forsberg ready to return?
The bomb dropped a few days ago, Peter Forsberg is joining Team Sweden to play in Karjala Cup. The reason he is doing this is because he wants to make a comeback in the NHL this season. Had he instead chosen to test his foot playing in the Elite League with MoDo, he would not have been eligible to play for any NHL team.
The Ottawa Senators are held as favorites by many sports writers, at least Swedish ones, to ink the former Hart Trophy winner. I can't really see why. To me the Colorado Avalanche must be considered first in line for his signature. His history with the club must surely weigh heavy in his decision.
Some, including The Hockey News, have expressed the opinion that Peter Forsberg should retire. To me this is just plain dumb. Peter Forsberg is perhaps the most complete two-way player ever and, although his career has been plagued by numerous injuries, we should consider ourselves lucky if he can once again display some of that magic I am sure he still has in him. Anyone who knows anything about hockey and has seen Forsberg play knows what I am talking about.
The Ottawa Senators are held as favorites by many sports writers, at least Swedish ones, to ink the former Hart Trophy winner. I can't really see why. To me the Colorado Avalanche must be considered first in line for his signature. His history with the club must surely weigh heavy in his decision.
Some, including The Hockey News, have expressed the opinion that Peter Forsberg should retire. To me this is just plain dumb. Peter Forsberg is perhaps the most complete two-way player ever and, although his career has been plagued by numerous injuries, we should consider ourselves lucky if he can once again display some of that magic I am sure he still has in him. Anyone who knows anything about hockey and has seen Forsberg play knows what I am talking about.
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