Forsberg Re-Joins the Avalanche

On Sunday morning, the news had leaked out that the Avalanche have indeed signed Peter Forsberg to a contract that would last until the end of the regular season and into the playoffs (assuming that the Avalanche make it).  The 1-year pro-rated deal has not had a monetary amount announced, but it shouldn't be a bad deal for the team, also assuming that Forsberg plays in all of the remaining 30 games.

Forsberg hasn't played in the NHL since the 2008 season, when he played in only nine games for the Avalanche and he picked up 14 points in the process.  He has been in and out of action in his home country Sweden, but a nagging foot injury has kept him from continuing his hockey career on a regular basis.  The 37-year old forward will definitely give a boost to the Avalanche when he's in the line-up, even if he has lost a step or two.

As for the Avalanche, they are locked in the midst of the huge battle in the Western Conference, looking for a playoff spot.  On Sunday morning, the Avalanche sit 4 points out of 8th spot in the West, with 30 games to go.  The addition of Forsberg should help ease the burden of some of the injuries that the Avalanche have suffered this year.

In the annual sense of the salary cap figures, the Avalanche have so much room, especially with players like Tomas Fleischmann and Kyle Quincey out for the remainder of the season.  According to CapGeek.com, the Avalanche had over $14 million in spending left to be done to reach the cap ceiling this year, so Forsberg, at any cost under the CBA rules, would be fit in the budget without issue.

Without a doubt, if Forsberg is still the player that he was in his prime days, 106 points in 75 games in 2003 (1.4 points per game), he would be a must-have player on your team and the waiver draft, but his foot problems are the biggest concern, especially down the stretch.  Will someone pick him up in the waiver draft?  I think we might see something of the sort...