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Could Forsberg help Flyers?

The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull

53 comments

Could Forsberg help Flyers?

POSTED: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 12:40 AM

OK, it’s a longshot _ let’s say 80/20 _ that Peter Forsberg will return to the Flyers.

    But it’s not as long as it was yesterday and, by the time the Flyers find out the medical status of Danny Briere on Thursday, the odds could become closer to 50/50.

    Briere will have exploratory surgery Thursday to find out why he is still having so much groin pain.

    The Flyers are hoping it’s just scar tissue, in which case the center should be able to return in two weeks.

    But if it is a severe groin tear that will require an adductor release _ an injury Mike Richards suffered two years ago _ Briere could be out for six weeks. Or longer.

    That means he wouldn’t be back until March, and there are no guarantees he would be effective if he returned this season.

    The Flyers’ offense has sputtered the last few weeks _ notwithstanding last night’s 5-3 win (with an empty-net goal) against Atlanta . They have not been getting much scoring from their third- and fourth-line centers.

    If Briere is going to miss six weeks, it’s likely that general manager Paul Holmgren will add a veteran forward to the mix.

    Brendan Shanahan would have been a perfect fit _ and the Flyers made a strong run at him. At one point, Shanahan was leaning toward the Flyers, but he ended up signing with New Jersey because it’s closer to his New York home and his kids don’t have to change schools.

    Forsberg, 35, has been skating and testing his ailing right foot in and mulling a comeback; he reportedly would be willing to play for Colorado or the Flyers. 

     “If it doesn’t work now, I’m forced to give it up for good,” Forsberg told the Swedish tabloid Expressen on Tuesday.

   Forsberg made a late-season return to Colorado last year, but injuries kept him out of nine of 18 regular-season games and three of four games in the second round of the playoffs.

    Forsberg won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, who are currently a longshot to earn a playoff berth this season.

   The Flyers are one of a handful of strong Eastern Conference contenders, but they need a healthy Briere. Or a suitable replacement _ preferably someone with good size who can match up against physical teams like Boston and Washington in the playoffs.

_ Sam Carchidi

 

53 comments
Comments  (53)
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:09 PM, 01/22/2009
    Too much circus with Forsberg. But can you imagine the power play? Oh baby it would be sweet! No to Forsberg, yes to Giroux. http://flyers07-08.blogspot.com
    theFran
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:33 PM, 01/22/2009
    To srg12969: The Flyers averaged two goals per game in their last seven contests before last night. I call that sputtering. OK, I'll go crawl back in my cave now. _ Sam Carchidi
    wenonah
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:39 PM, 01/22/2009
    The Avs have cap room. But last season when he came back he was flying all over the ice and was electrifying...for about 3 games. Then it was play one game, miss 2, play 2 miss 3 etc..Whatever his foot/ankle/groin problem is if they haven't figured it out by now doubt if they ever will. But on the other hand a 70% Forsberg is better than....
    skaj11
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:21 AM, 01/23/2009
    no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I don't want to hear it.
    doorspj24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:10 PM, 01/23/2009
    Why does everyone always whine about the writers? Do you have any idea how difficult of is to come up with something to write about everyday? How bout these headlines: Sbisa Skates Pretty, or Cote's Wife Only Wears Real Leather Shoes? Give em a break... If you don't like the article do what I do when I read some idiotic statements on these blogs... Read something else. Turns out old dude was spot on with the story anyway, just becasue you don't want to hear it doesn't mean it is not news.
    Spazcat
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:11 PM, 01/26/2009
    Been there, did that...move forward. There are other good forwards and defensemen that'll be available.
    pizano13


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Broad Street Bull is the Inquirer's blog covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League. Reach Sam at scarchidi@phillynews.com.

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