J’ded Perspective 

Speculation has been ongoing about former Flyers center Peter Forsberg and his return to the NHL.  Reports out of Sweden are the free agent center is recovering nicely from foot surgery.  He has been skating regularly with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League and is eying his return.   

Given this news, the rumors of “if” Forsberg will return to the NHL have turn to “when”.  The answer to that is mid-November, or at least that’s when a decision will be made where he will play.  The question now is where will Forsberg sign?  The Red Wings, Avalanche, Stars, Canucks, Senators and Flyers have all been mentioned as the favorites to land the Swedish center.   

Forsberg’s return won’t be for money.  Forsberg has made enough money for life outside the NHL.  When Forsberg returns it will be to win a Stanley Cup.   

Mentioning the Flyers and the Stanley Cup in the same breath…  That’s different.  Do the Flyers have enough to win?  According to sources close to Forsberg, he thinks so and is very impressed with the Flyers off-season acquisitions of Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen.   

Philadelphia would welcome Foppas back with open arms, but can they afford him with the NHL’s hard salary cap? 

Estimations are the Flyers would have to trim 2-3 mil off the payroll to fit Forsberg under the cap.  While it will take some maneuvering, it can be done.  The Flyers have players who they can move to make this work.   

Right winger Mike Knuble is making $2.8 million this season.  He has been on the first line with Briere and Simon Gagne, but after a strong first game he has struggled since.  In the third period of Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes he was pulled off the line in favor of Joffrey Lupul.  The first line responded nicely and appeared to have new life (including a game-game winning goal in overtime).  Knuble took Lupul’s place on the second line with Mike Richards and Scott Hartnell.  He seemed to be an okay fit, but if it comes down to a choice between Mike Knuble and Peter Forsberg, Knuble becomes the odd man out.   

Defenseman Derian Hatcher is making $3.5 million and is nearing retirement.  He is one of the slowest players on the team, and doesn’t fit into the up-tempo style of game the Flyers are playing.  The Flyers have Jason Smith, who plays a similar game to Hatcher, but gets around faster.  Not saying Hatcher is washed-up.  He’s still an able defenseman who would be a great fit for a team looking for a physical defenseman.  Playing for the Phantoms are both Ryan Parent and Alex Picard, who have been impressive thus far.  Either could step into Hatcher’s defensive pairing should the Flyers need to dump Hatcher’s salary. 

Now we just wait and speculate.  A healthy Peter Forsberg is a player who can put the Flyers over the top and make them an elite team in the Eastern Conference.  Providing he’s proven healthy, the Flyers front office needs to make it a priority that Forsberg is again wearing the black and orange