Habs After Peter Forsberg

[franko]

jkr said:

One thing we have learned since Gainey got here are that there are absolutely no leaks coming from his office. These names & scenarios are the product of bored sports writers.

Most of the speculation from the talking heads has been that the asking price for Forsberg will be a player & a 1st rounder. I don't know how that translates into Samsonov, Aebischer & Perezhogin.

Sammy = 1/3, Abby = 1/3, Zhogin = 1/3 plus a 1st rounder?

[franko]

marvin said:

I think the Habs would put themselves into a deep hole by trading Aebeshier this year - before the Playoffs. That's too much of a burden on Huet, with no reliable back-up. Heck this isn't 1971 and an unproven Ken Dryden is not waiting in the wings.

Halek is . . .

[Marvin]

You'd be confident with Halek (whoever he is) if Huet was hurt?

[franko]

marvin said:

You'd be confident with Halek (whoever he is) if Huet was hurt?

habsrus.proboards4.com/index.cgi?board=Scouting&action=display&n=1&thread=2176

Maybe I would . . . maybe I wouldn't. Just saying that we may have someone that will surprise, in the minors. It's happened before.

And as I recall, there were some who felt that this team would go absolutely nowhere this season with the tandem that has led us to 4th 5th with 2 games in hand place . . . and Abby has been on the market since near the beginning of the season (Abby plus for either a strong d-man or 2nd line C).

I'm not saying . . . I'm just saying.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

franko said:

marvin said:

You'd be confident with Halek (whoever he is) if Huet was hurt?

habsrus.proboards4.com/index.cgi?board=Scouting&action=display&n=1&thread=2176

Maybe I would . . . maybe I wouldn't. Just saying that we may have someone that will surprise, in the minors. It's happened before.

And as I recall, there were some who felt that this team would go absolutely nowhere this season with the tandem that has led us to 4th 5th with 2 games in hand place . . . and Abby has been on the market since near the beginning of the season (Abby plus for either a strong d-man or 2nd line C).

I'm not saying . . . I'm just saying.

Danis-Boy acquited himself well enough when he heard the pipes a-callin' from Montreal, and besides, the Price will likely be right shortly. But I must agree that Halak does seem to have the jump on either of those two.

[blny]

mrbozo said:

franko said:

habsrus.proboards4.com/index.cgi?board=Scouting&action=display&n=1&thread=2176

Maybe I would . . . maybe I wouldn't. Just saying that we may have someone that will surprise, in the minors. It's happened before.

And as I recall, there were some who felt that this team would go absolutely nowhere this season with the tandem that has led us to 4th 5th with 2 games in hand place . . . and Abby has been on the market since near the beginning of the season (Abby plus for either a strong d-man or 2nd line C).

I'm not saying . . . I'm just saying.

Danis-Boy acquited himself well enough when he heard the pipes a-callin' from Montreal, and besides, the Price will likely be right shortly. But I must agree that Halak does seem to have the jump on either of those two.

Tooo ..... mannnnny ..... puuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnssssss ....

[BadCompany]

Three points for Forsberg last night.

[Deleted]

badcompany said:

Three points for Forsberg last night.

Why can't Brodeur ever play like that when we face him?

[CentreHice]

mattdhf said:

badcompany said:

Three points for Forsberg last night.

Why can't Brodeur ever play like that when we face him?

Atlanta got 4 by him this week as well.

Although, he made an absolutely huge save to keep it tied at 4...and he stopped enough to get the extra SO point.

[princelh]

Don't waste your time with Forsberg. He is so injury prone, you'll probably lose an asset and get very little in return.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

And the saga continues (at least in the media):

Coming soon near you?

February 05, 2007
Jim Kelley

Word on the street is Peter Forsberg wants to play in Canada. The question is: Where?

Well, it's hard to think of a Canadian-based team that couldn't use a player not all that far removed from his days as, arguably, the best player in the NHL. Vancouver could use his playmaking and leadership skills, especially to steady young forwards such as the Sedin twins.

Calgary has been searching for a No. 1 centre for several seasons now and one could argue that plugging Forsberg in to the current lineup makes them a serious threat in the West.

Edmonton would go from a playoff hopeful to a team that could eyeball the Ducks or San Jose Sharks.

Still, the better fit seems to be in the East.

Toronto would have to make some major roster adjustments to take on Forsberg, especially being so close to the cap. Trading Darcy Tucker could make it work short term, but Mats Sundin would have to stay. Forsberg wouldn't even consider Toronto if his longtime friend and former Team Sweden teammate wasn't on the roster. Not only that, but the Leafs would have to be a virtual lock to make the playoffs.

Ottawa could use Forsberg as a second-line centre and a mentor to the sometimes inconsistent Jason Spezza, but the Senators really don't have serious problems down the middle with Spezza, Mike Fisher, Mike Comrie and Dean McAmmond. Ottawa is so deep at centre they often play Spezza and Fisher on the wings just to accommodate Peter Schaefer and Chris Kelly in the middle. For cap reasons the Sens would also have to make major roster alterations and the team isn't in a position to sell off any more talent, especially for a player whose physical woes make him something less than an every night player.

From where we sit the perfect fit is Montreal. The Canadiens are good enough to make some noise in the playoffs. They certainly have a need for Forsberg's extraordinary playmaking skills, skills that would give them a much-feared second line threat and some physical size up the middle. And since Forsberg is a student of the game and appreciative of its rich history, the city is a good fit as well. It's big enough and appealing enough for someone who is used to big city living and big city attractions. It's also known that Forsberg has a great deal of respect for Montreal general manager Bob Gainey and coach Guy Carbonneau dating back to his days in Colorado when those two were in Dallas together. Colorado-Dallas provided some of the best playoff matches out of the West while Forsberg was in Denver and the respect was mutual on both sides.

The view from here is that Forsberg's choice really comes down to two Canadian teams: Toronto and Montreal. It's Toronto if Sundin is onboard and the playoffs appear within reach or Montreal, where a deep playoff run is possible especially in light of the fact that Buffalo has dropped back to the pack and anything in the East now seems possible. Forsberg has spent a lot of time in Montreal this season, working with Bauer on a redesigned skate boot that finally seems to have solved his skating problems.

One thing that might titillate Toronto's interest is that acquiring Forsberg makes trading Darcy Tucker, a salary cap problem in the making, less difficult. Fans want the Leafs to keep both Tucker and Sundin but realistically general manager John Ferguson will be hard pressed to afford both. If he trades Tucker and gets Forsberg, well, fans likely won't be too upset. And then if Forsberg walks after the season, hey, that's not Ferguson's fault. It's a new world out there with a salary cap and a lot of new dynamics will be in play. Ferguson could play that hand and not get burned, especially if the Leafs make the playoffs with a healthy Forsberg.

Of course none of this works if Forsberg can't prove that he's healthy. He has a history of injury problems and this season he's had a season-long problem with ill-fitting skates. That makes any deal, even a rental deal, fraught with danger. A best-case scenario is a weighted deal where the acquiring team pro-rates the payback based on how much Forsberg plays and how far the team goes in the playoffs. The rest of the regular season and a first-round playoff appearance is perhaps worth a third or fourth-round pick. Advance to the second round and it's up to a second-rounder. Get to the final four or to the Cup final itself with a healthy Forsberg contributing and first-round pick is not out of the question.

Forsberg has crafted statements saying that he wouldn't mind re-signing with Philadelphia, but he's said it in such a way that he leaves the door open for a return as a free agent, not unlike the way Mark Recchi won himself a Stanley Cup with Carolina last season before returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.

If Flyers management can find a similar deal, a few Canadian teams could be in the picture, but rest assured others will be in the bidding as well. The New York Rangers are said to be interested, it's an easy move from Philadelphia and Forsberg has business interests in New York. Detroit is said to be sniffing around, as is San Jose. Detroit is again a Cup contender and Forsberg is very close to Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom. San Jose has need for his services, plenty of cap room and with a healthy Forsberg in the lineup, they become a serious Stanley Cup contender.

- www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/columnist.jsp?content=20070205_160627_4840

[Deleted]

I think we'd have players that Philly would be interested if we got Forsberg...except he's injured most of the time. Having Kostitsyn and Grabovsky in the line-up while he's out, though, could make things very interesting.

Dang it, get 'er done.

[jkr]

not saying anything one way or the other but - 4 assists for PF tonight. Flyers now in a SO with Pittsburgh.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

jkr said:

not saying anything one way or the other but - 4 assists for PF tonight. Flyers now in a SO with Pittsburgh.

Only 3-13-16 in his last 10 games—for the Flyers, lest we forget—and playing on one over-sized foot. Yep, an eagle sure can't soar when surrounded by turkeys.

[Deleted]

mrbozo said:

Only 3-13-16 in his last 10 games—for the Flyers, lest we forget—and playing on one over-sized foot. Yep, an eagle sure can't soar when surrounded by turkeys.

Most of those are assists. If those passes made their way onto the stick of a Habs player, they would spin and go into the corner with it, or pass it again, eliminating the scoring chance.

[halihab]

hockeybuzz.com has the Habs heavily scouting the Flyers/Pens game last night.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Detroit Free Press:

... While the Wings might have interest in one of the Blues' forwards, they remain most interested in Philadelphia's Forsberg -- and the interest appears to be mutual. Forsberg is said to be willing to renounce his no-trade clause for three teams -- Detroit, Montreal and Anaheim. ...

- tinyurl.com/25aw6h

*

Courier Post:

Forsberg watch: 4 scouts on scene

Friday, February 9, 2007

While Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren chatted with senior vice president Bob Clarke before Thursday night's game, Don Luce was working the press box, where scouts from four NHL teams were in attendance.

Luce, the Flyers' director of player development, was engaged in a long pregame conversation with Montreal Canadiens scout Doug Gibson. Scouts from Vancouver, Florida and Atlanta also were in attendance.

The Canadiens are believed to be one of about a dozen teams interested in putting together a trade package for Peter Forsberg.

"If there is a sweepstakes," Gibson said, "I imagine almost every team will be calling."

- tinyurl.com/2gatxf

[franko]

Canadiens unlikely to win Forsberg sweepstakes

PAT HICKEY

With less than three weeks to go before the trading deadline, Canadiens fans are clamouring for a blockbuster deal.

There is continuing speculation around Philadelphia Flyers superstar Peter Forsberg and his situation will become clearer this weekend when he sits down for a talk with Flyers owner Ed Snider.

Snider will ask Forsberg whether he is prepared to sign a long-term extension with the Flyers. If Forsberg says no, the bidding for his services will begin in earnest.

Canadiens fans will be happy to hear that Montreal has shown some interest in obtaining Forsberg, but will be disappointed to learn the Canadiens are not among the front-runners for his services.

Canadiens scout Doug Gibson took in a recent game in Philly and huddled with Don Luce, the Flyers' director of player personnel. But the word from the City of Brotherly Love is that Detroit and Vancouver are the most likely destinations for Forsberg, with a return to Colorado not out of the question.

read it here

[jkr]

franko said:

Canadiens unlikely to win Forsberg sweepstakes

PAT HICKEY

With less than three weeks to go before the trading deadline, Canadiens fans are clamouring for a blockbuster deal.

There is continuing speculation around Philadelphia Flyers superstar Peter Forsberg and his situation will become clearer this weekend when he sits down for a talk with Flyers owner Ed Snider.

Snider will ask Forsberg whether he is prepared to sign a long-term extension with the Flyers. If Forsberg says no, the bidding for his services will begin in earnest.

Canadiens fans will be happy to hear that Montreal has shown some interest in obtaining Forsberg, but will be disappointed to learn the Canadiens are not among the front-runners for his services.

Canadiens scout Doug Gibson took in a recent game in Philly and huddled with Don Luce, the Flyers' director of player personnel. But the word from the City of Brotherly Love is that Detroit and Vancouver are the most likely destinations for Forsberg, with a return to Colorado not out of the question.

read it here

Yet another opinion from another writer.

TSN says Detroit or Anaheim. Jim Kelley thinks Montreal is the front runner. I just wish Philly would trade him & be done with it.

The part I found interesting was the Montreal/Edmonton rumor. I hadn't heard that one at all.

[franko]

jkr said:

I just wish Philly would trade him & be done with it.

ooh, the longer Philly draws this out the more they may get.

otoh, the longer Philly draws this out the more possible Forsberg reinjures himeslf.

I too wish that something would be done -- and that if BG is going to make a move that he makes it sooner than later.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

franko said:

jkr said:

I just wish Philly would trade him & be done with it.

ooh, the longer Philly draws this out the more they may get.

otoh, the longer Philly draws this out the more possible Forsberg reinjures himeslf.

I too wish that something would be done -- and that if BG is going to make a move that he makes it sooner than later.

[seventeen]

franko said:

jkr said:

I just wish Philly would trade him & be done with it.

ooh, the longer Philly draws this out the more they may get.

otoh, the longer Philly draws this out the more possible Forsberg reinjures himeslf.

The way the Flyers year has gone, it's almost a given that the day before they announce the trade, Forsberg will re-injure his ankle.

[princelh]

How about Kovelev for him, even up!

[seventeen]

princelh said:

How about Kovelev for him, even up!

HHHmmmmmmm........

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

The latest installment:

Forsberg's future

So the right skate boot is working fine, and Peter Forsberg says his right foot, which has been surgically repaired, feels great in it as well.

The Flyers say they want to re-sign him at the trade deadline, but Forsberg won't commit. That can mean one thing: agent Don Baizley has prepared a list of clubs he will submit to the Flyers and ask them to trade Forsberg as a rental. Whether Baizley will assure the Flyers they will get the first crack at re-signing the center this summer is another matter

We hear the clubs are Anaheim, Detroit and Nashville. Nashville has made a series of moves in recent days, picking up Eric Belanger from Carolina for Josef Vasicek then trading Belanger to Atlanta for defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski. If Forsberg went to Nashville, the Flyers are going to want rookie right winger Alexander Radulov.

If Forsberg goes to Anaheim, they would ask for forward Bobby Ryan, who they tried to draft a few years ago. If it is Detroit, there are several young players they have scouted. League sources say the Predators are preparing to get Forsberg.

Losing Forsberg is a huge gamble because the Flyers need to make quick, dramatic acquisitions in free agency in July, and they need Forsberg to act as a lure to the likes of Chris Drury or maybe even Danny Briere.

If Forsberg leaves, the only things other players will remember is how bad the Flyers were and how Forsberg wanted out of town. That is going to make luring the right free agents difficult regardless of money.

- www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/nhl/16670661.htm

[Deleted]

Doesn't surprise me that they'd be after high picks. They possibly asked for Kostitsyn, and Bob said, "See you later."

For all we know, of course.

[Skilly]

mattdhf said:

Doesn't surprise me that they'd be after high picks. They possibly asked for Kostitsyn, and Bob said, "See you later."

For all we know, of course.

I doubt it .. my guess is they asked for Latendresse or Komisarek. And I wouldn't be surprised that they wanted Ryder with one of those two.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

skilly said:

mattdhf said:

Doesn't surprise me that they'd be after high picks. They possibly asked for Kostitsyn, and Bob said, "See you later."

For all we know, of course.

I doubt it .. my guess is they asked for Latendresse or Komisarek. And I wouldn't be surprised that they wanted Ryder with one of those two.

Ryder as a throw-in? Has his value sunk that low?

[Skilly]

mrbozo said:

skilly said:

I doubt it .. my guess is they asked for Latendresse or Komisarek. And I wouldn't be surprised that they wanted Ryder with one of those two.

Ryder as a throw-in? Has his value sunk that low?

Translation error ... use your Newfie dictionary, to translate to french, then back to English .. ;D

[Marvin]

Sorry but Forsberg is not worth high picks. This is not Peter circa 1996 we're talking about, this is a player whose best days are far behind him. Anyone who gives up the 'future' for 'now', better think this one through.

Marv