Former Hart Trophy winner Peter Forsberg went from worst to first as he was traded Thursday by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Nashville Predators.
Forsberg, 33, was peddled to the Predators in exchange for forward Scottie Upshall, OHL defenceman Ryan Parent and first- and third-round draft picks.
Peter Forsberg was traded to the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
(George Widman/Associated Press)
"Peter Forsberg is one of the NHL's most complete players and the ultimate competitor," Predators general manager David Poile said. "He strengthens our club up the middle and will provide another battle-tested, veteran voice."
Forsberg posted 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points in 40 games for the last-place Flyers, but he has been hampered by foot problems.
Forsberg also sat out with a concussion and a sore back but, if he remains healthy, is certain to help the Western Conference leaders.
"It's not a fun day, even though I'm going to a good team," Forsberg said. "I'm sure I'm going to be OK in a couple of days.
"But today is not a good day. I didn't sign here two years ago to stand here [traded] today."
Forsberg underwent separate surgeries on both ankles last summer, getting bones realigned and lax ligaments firmed up because they affected his balance and put undue stress on his abdomen.
He has even hinted at retirement if the problems persist, so the Flyers dealt him now rather than risk getting nothing later.
"I'm a little shocked," Forsberg said. "[But] I could not commit to another year because I don't know what's going to happen.
"I felt like I was being fair to give up the no-trade clause and they get something for me. It kind of worked out."
"It was our belief in the long run, for the betterment of the franchise, for the future, this was something we needed to do," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "The timing of it may not have been great, but it was a good deal."
Forsberg hasn't committed to re-signing with Nashville, either.
"I'm going to evaluate this summer how I feel — and if I'm going to continue to play," he said. "Re-signing now, for me, would be out of the question."
Five-time all-star
Forsberg has totalled 246 goals, 610 assists and 856 points in 680 NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche and Flyers since being drafted sixth overall in 1991.
He captured the Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's top rookie in 1995 and was voted the league's most valuable player in 2003.
"[He is] a consistent winner who has, year in and year out, been a difference-maker in the Stanley Cup playoffs," Poile said.
Forsberg won Stanley Cups with Colorado in 1996 and 2001, and helped Sweden capture the gold medal at the 2006 Torino Olympic Winter Games.
The Flyers signed the five-time all-star to a two-year, $11.5-million US contract on Aug. 3, 2005.
"I liked it here and everything," Forsberg said. "It's just hard when I couldn't commit.
"And that's why they had to move me. I understand that."
"We didn't want to do it, he knows we didn't want to do it," Holmgren said. "But at the end of the day, we had to do it."
Upshall, 23, has two goals and three points in 14 games this season, having missed 30 games because of groin problems.
The Fort McMurray, Alta., native has 11 goals and 29 points in 77 NHL games since being drafted sixth overall by Nashville in 2002.
Parent, a 19-year-old from Sioux Lookout, Ont., has played for the OHL's Guelph Storm since being drafted 18th overall by the Predators in 2005.
He helped Team Canada win the past two world junior championships.
With files from the Canadian Press
