Forsberg Back in Colorado

For all that it’s worth, Peter Forsberg has come back to the NHL after spending three-quarters of the season in Sweden nursing an injured foot.

The lucky, or unlucky, team that Forsberg has sided with is the 10th place in the Western Conference Colorado Avalanche.

The following is nothing against Forsberg, because he was great, and nothing against the Avs because they have won a Stanley Cup in the past decade, while the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks have not.

This move by Colorado may look good on paper, but in reality, this deal makes absolutely no sense.

Around this time last week, Forsberg and his agent both said that it was unlikely that the Swede would return to the NHL this season due to his injured foot that has caused him nothing but trouble while trying to rehabilitate it with the Swedish national team earlier this NHL season.  Now, all of the sudden, after seeming hell bent on not coming back this season, his foot is suddenly good enough to withstand competitive hockey for the next month-and-a-half and maybe the playoffs.

One issue that makes this deal look like nothing more than a team trying to grab the headlines away from Mats Sundin and the Toronto Maple Leafs is that Forsberg simply doesn’t have the juice anymore to compete in the NHL.  If it’s not his foot, it’s a shoulder or back or wrist or hand injury that keeps the former superstar on injury reserve and thus disrupting the chemistry or flow that the players in the line-up have by bringing him in and out of the line-up.

A week ago, Forsberg believed his foot just couldn’t hold up in the NHL.  Was that not a red flag with sirens sign from the Hockey Gods that this guy is untouchable by his own withdrawal?

By signing a guy like Forsberg, the Avs have put all their eggs into one basket.  Whether or not Forsberg stays healthy and plays well – which in itself is a question mark for a guy who has missed three-quarters of the season with a foot injury (for those that don’t know, you need healthy feet to actually hold you upright on the ice and help propel a person in any direction on the ice) – won’t hide the fact that Colorado doesn’t have the defence or the goaltending to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

The Avs have 172 goals-for this season, despite missing names like Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth and Paul Stastny.  Not bad.  Okay, here is where the old cliche kicks in.  Defence wins championships.  Well, Colorado has allowed 174 goals-against this season.  Jose Theodore and Peter Budaj have, for the most part, platooned the goaltending duties in Colorado, and although their numbers combined are terrible, they’re not good enough to compete with the likes of Roberto Luongo and the Marty Turco in the west.

Instead of looking for a quick fix and short-term inspiration by signing Forsberg, perhaps Avalanche vice president and general manager Francois Giguere may have been better off by picking up a goalie or a defenseman to help this team keep pucks out of the net.  They don’t need scoring, they need a defender.

Forsberg isn’t either, not anymore.

An Avalanche of Possibilities

Heading into the new season, the Colorado Avalanche hopes to regain their spot as one of the league’s elite.

“I like our chances, right away, to compete for a Cup,” said captain Joe Sakic.

It’s just like old times for Denver. And unfortunately for everyone else in the NHL, the Avs have what it takes to win, especially with their additions this offseason.

Signing big name unrestricted free agent Ryan Smyth fills many offensive holes for Colorado, as they needed a grinding forward, who can drive the net hard and play on the special teams. Veteran Smyth not only fit those criterias, but he’ll help light up the opposing goal.

Imagine Smyth causing havoc in front of the other team’s goaltender, with Sakic and Milan Hejduk releasing snipers at the net. It’s a dream come true for point-hungry poolies.

Colorado also has a strong supporting cast. One of the best players during the second half of last season was 21-year-old Paul Stastny, who has the making an all-star forward. Alongside him will be Andrew Brunette, who recorded a career high in points, and Wojtek Wolski, who tallied 22 goals as a rookie. (Look for Joel Quenneville to evenly distribute the top two lines by placing Brunette up front with Sakic and Smyth)

Also, Marek Svatos will try to redeem his lacklustre sophomore season, while Ian Laperriere and Tyler Arnason adds offensive depth to an already threatening forward unit.

One player to keep an eye on is 30-year-old Jaroslav Hlinka. Signed by the Avs this off-season after high recommendations from Hejduk, the winger was named best forward in the Czech League last year. No other GMs took a chance on him, and they might be kicking themselves later on this season.

When it comes to defense, the arrival of Scott Hannan improves the blueline crew dramatically. Maybe the toughness aspect still needs some work, but a newer trap system implemented by coach Q near the end of last season contributed to their late success. Look for that again.

Also, look for Jordan Leopold to rebound from an injury plagued ’06-’07 showing, and play a major role on Colorado’s top unit. Offensively, the Avs are set in the back end, with John-Michael Liles, Brett Clark and Leopold hopefully finding the net. Defensively, it’ll be more of a challenge. Guys like Karlis Skrastins and Kurt Sauer will need to step up their game, or they might find themselves falling on the depth chart.

The biggest concern for Colorado is their goaltending. Peter Budaj is going to make it or break it for this team, and if the Avs want to be Stanley Cup material, they need their puck-stopper to be on top of his game all year long. Budaj is quick on his feet and has shown flashes of brilliance, but rebound control is a big problem for this young Slovak. However, if he does falter, they have the highest paid backup in the whole NHL. Yes, remember Jose Theodore? If Theodore, who makes $6 million this season, can outplay Budaj for the number one spot and regain his 2002 Hart Trophy form, there is no telling how far this Colorado team can go.

There’s only two possible conclusions for this Avalanche season:

1. With all cylinders firing, they have what it takes to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference once again. There is no doubt that they possess the talent to succeed, especially offensively. After a couple years of dropping in the standings, Colorado is back as a threat. Don’t be surprised to see Colorado in the finals.
2. The other option is for them to be ‘mediocre’. They have what it takes to be successful but how many times have we seen a skilled team not produce? However, whether the chemistry clicks or not, the Avs will be in a playoff contender-ship position, if not fighting for the Northwest division lead. Barring major injury, one thing is for certain: Don’t expect to see this team amongst the bottom dwellers.

Colorado looks good on paper, but that’s the problem. Until they can prove that they mesh well as a team, there are no guarantees.

The biggest question mark revolves around the crease, and it just might end up deciding their fate. Having said that, Colorado can still score with the best in the league and has a great chance reclaiming their past spot as division champions.

It’s time for some Mile High redemption.