Peter Forsberg Return to the NHL?

Philadelphia Flyers management and fans alike can only wonder what could have been if their team was able to sign five-time All Star forward Peter Forsberg who in fact almost became a Flyer last March. Forsberg who scored 249 goals and 887 points over a 13 year NHL career recently told the Swedish newspaper Expressen that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren in fact offered him a contract last March 2 for the remainder of the season. Due to perhaps pride Forsberg who also won the Calder Trophy back in 1995 turned down the contract offer due to the fact that he believed his past injuries would still hinder his performance on the ice. “I felt that I wasn`t in good enough shape to go,” Forsberg hasn`t played in the NHL since 2008 when he dressed for nine games with the Colorado Avalanche said. During his career which saw the 36 year-old deal with various health issues ranging from concussions, groin, foot, wrist and ankle injuries to name a few has always played well during the NHL post season. Forsberg who played in 151 playoff games scored 64 goals and 107 assists to go along with an impressive + 54 rating. One has to wonder if perhaps his offensive flair could have meant the difference in the Flyers loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals. This past season Forsberg who played this past season with MODO of the Swedish Elite League dressed for only 23 games due to a reoccurring foot injury which has been plaguing him for years. Despite the pain Forsberg still put up some impressive numbers in scoring 11 goals, 30 points and a +11 rating. He also played for Sweden during the February Olympics where he scored one assist in four games. In his prime he was a force for Sweden in helping them win gold during the 1992 and 1993 Olympic Games. Originally Forsberg was drafted by the Flyers sixth overall in 1991. He was eventually traded to the Quebec Nordiques-Colorado Avalanche and also played for the Nashville Predators and Flyers in his career. Philadelphia picked him up about five years ago where he played a total of 100 games over a two year period with them. During that time he posted 30 goals, 115 points and a +23. At this stage Forsberg is still not ready to give up any hopes of returning one day to the NHL. Obviously it would`ve been cool since I know so many of those guys from my time with the team,“ Forsberg said. “It`s way too early to start speculating about teams when I still don`t even know if I can come back and play hockey again.“