Forsberg hits the ice with former NHL club
Swedish standout Peter Forsberg will practice on Saturday with the Colorado Avalanche in a bid to determine whether he is fit enough for a National Hockey League comeback at age 37.
The Avalanche announced Friday that Forsberg, the 2003 NHL Most Valuable Player who last played in the league in the 2007-2008 season, would participate in the morning workout ahead of a game against Boston.
"I need to see where I am physically and practicing with NHL players is the best way to find that out," Forsberg said.
Forsberg helped the Avalanche capture two Stanley Cup titles but has struggled in recent seasons because of a nagging right foot injury.
In January 2009, he made his return to the top Swedish league, the Elitserien, but only managed to appear in two matches with his home club, MoDo.
Forsberg returned for the 2009-2010 season, notching three goals in his first three games before taking yet another break from MoDo’s starting line up to consider his next move.
Ultimately, he returned to the ice and vowed to finish out the season together with another former NHL standout from Sweden, Marcus Naslund.
Forsberg finished the season with 11 goals and 19 assists in 23 matches, but grudgingly admitted following MoDo final game, that he had likely played his last match.
But earlier this week Forsberg asked Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman if he could practice with the club as a way of testing his foot and his fitness against NHL talent.
"Knowing our bond and the great history with Peter and the organization, we want to help him find out where he's at," said Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau.
Forsberg scored one goal in nine games in the 2007-2008 campaign for Colorado but was struggling with a groin injury.
With 24 wins in 47 matches, the Avalanche have 54 points and hold the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference, one point ahead of San Jose and Minnesota.
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The Avalanche announced Friday that Forsberg, the 2003 NHL Most Valuable Player who last played in the league in the 2007-2008 season, would participate in the morning workout ahead of a game against Boston.
"I need to see where I am physically and practicing with NHL players is the best way to find that out," Forsberg said.
Forsberg helped the Avalanche capture two Stanley Cup titles but has struggled in recent seasons because of a nagging right foot injury.
In January 2009, he made his return to the top Swedish league, the Elitserien, but only managed to appear in two matches with his home club, MoDo.
Forsberg returned for the 2009-2010 season, notching three goals in his first three games before taking yet another break from MoDo’s starting line up to consider his next move.
Ultimately, he returned to the ice and vowed to finish out the season together with another former NHL standout from Sweden, Marcus Naslund.
Forsberg finished the season with 11 goals and 19 assists in 23 matches, but grudgingly admitted following MoDo final game, that he had likely played his last match.
But earlier this week Forsberg asked Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman if he could practice with the club as a way of testing his foot and his fitness against NHL talent.
"Knowing our bond and the great history with Peter and the organization, we want to help him find out where he's at," said Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau.
Forsberg scored one goal in nine games in the 2007-2008 campaign for Colorado but was struggling with a groin injury.
With 24 wins in 47 matches, the Avalanche have 54 points and hold the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference, one point ahead of San Jose and Minnesota.
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