Okay, what good is Petr Forsberg anymore?

Question

I just posted him as a player I hate for a different question. Has anyone else noticed that this guy hasn't produced a decent season since '02? He is 33 and that was 5 years ago. That means that he was washed up at 28. He sits out at least half of every season then comes back for a couple dozen games and idiots give him 8 million a year for this. We hear about how tough he is all the time but all I see is a guy broken down at 33!!!!! I saw Igor Larionov beat him in a fight. When a guy who weighs 175, never fights and is known as the professor can cut you in a fight and send you to the locker room for the rest of the game you can't be that tough. Tell me what you think.

'02 to '03 he played 75 games and had 106 points. I wasn't talking about tough as in fighting. I was talking about going through traffic. I just brough up the Larionov fight because I though it was funny.

I wasn't very fair in the way I worded things but I do legitimately want to know if other people think his impact is as overated as I do. And yes, I grew up in Michigan so I have a healthy dislike of all the Avs except Sakic who has earned my respect.

Answer 1

Peter Forsberg is one of the best players in the world. He plays aggressively, and for that reason he has worn himself down at the NHL level. I agree that his level of play has declined over the years, and that is due to the fact that he is so prone to injury. I agree that he is no longer worth the money he is paid to not finish a full season.

Personally, I love to watch a Swede play a hard-nosed, aggressive style, hockey game. I think he's a great player and a nice guy. But, it is time for him to retire from the NHL to his hometown in Sweden where he will forever be a legend.

This year he will help the Preds get far in the Stanley Cup Play-offs. I predict a Nashville vs. Buffalo finals match-up, but I hope I'm wrong.

Answer 2

Your "hatred" for him and the Larionov comment suggests you are a Wings fan. ;-)

If health is a factor in deciding who is "good" and who is not, then you've got a good point. He's injury-prone, to put it kindly. BUT... although you are right about the amount of time he has played, look at the games he DID play since 2002. In 146 games he has scored 176 points, and that includes 2 seasons before they opened up the game. He is also good in his own zone, with a +2 this year playing on an awful, awful, awful Flyers team before the trade. His playoff record is also very stellar.

Do I think he was worth coughing up a first round pick? Not really, considering that he is no use to you hurt. That said, it is understandable why someone would take the chance. If he plays, he is obviously one of the best in the league, whether you like him or not. Nashville thinks they have a shot at the Cup, and Forsberg's leadership and experience is invaluable... if he plays. I definitely think it is a risky move.

By the way, your recollection of that Wings-Avs game is faulty. Forsberg was cut falling in the scuffle, not from Larionov fighting him. It was hardly a "fight," really, and Forsberg did return to the game after they sewed him up. I know, because I am a huge Wings fan and own the DVD with that game on it. It's the greatest game I've ever seen. :-)

Answer 3

A decent season in '02?!?!? Last I checked, he missed the entire regular season. Granted, he did come back for the playoffs and boy did he have a run then! Second, his role is as a skillful offensive player, not an enforcer; these guys aren't supposed to fight. I'm sure Larionov would've creamed Gretzky as well. However, Forsberg does try to bring a physical element to his game, more so than other gifted offensive players, but it seems he doesn't have the body that can take it, at least not since his appendix was ruptured in '01.

Answer 4

#1 For most of his career Peter Forsberg has been the most effective player in the league when healthy. This year Sidney Crosby has really dominated and proved what he can do but Forsberg is still one of the top talents in the league (I'd put him #2). He has barely been in Nashville but I bet that once he gets more accustomed to the team he will once again be producing.
#2 Why is everybody ragging on him for his injuries? Yes, he misses a lot of games, but the guy gets HAMMERED night in and night out. His style of play is extremely physical and he takes punishment that the other top players in the league don't. I'd like to see Crosby or Jagr or Kovalchuk or St. Louis deal with the kind of physical beating that Forsberg takes EVERY GAME. Also, I don't think you're one to criticize. You would be unconscious if you took the beatings that he takes on a regular basis.

Answer 5

i agree with almost everyone has said but, people sem to forget when healthy he is the best player in the world hands down.. his vision is so great on the ice that it is uncomparable of course if he had been healthy all his career I do believe he couold have taken alot of gretzkys records. the reason they picked him up was because of his leadership and veteran prescence with a young team. also when playoff time comes there is noone more clutch than foppa. this man shines under pressure just watch old stanely cup finals with the Avs and youll see why he is great, also watch how he single handidly won the swiss olympics for them

Answer 6

He is better than a point a game guy, so it's hard to knock his performance when he plays.

He's been hurt a lot lately, I agree. He has been playing pro hockey since he was 17 (beginning back in Swedish Elite League) so he now has over 15 years of hard wear and tear on his body.

Answer 7

The reason Nashville picked him up is because they know that come playoff time he shines. There is not a better power forward in the league when the playoffs start. He may have diminished with all his injuries the past few years but he just raises his game when the playoffs hit.

Answer 8

He's Nashville's insurance policy..."in case of elimination game, break glass". There is no salt in his game when it comes to delivering the goods in the postseason.

Whether he'll have enough gas in the tank or tricks up his sleeves remains to be seen. If I was Barry Trotz, I'd rest his wheel until the middle of the 1st round, particularly since the guy is impervious to rust.

Then again, if I was Barry Trotz, I'd be calling the police to report my neck stolen.

Answer 9

I dunno....maybe he just misses being with Joe Sakic? lol.
He also had a tough time in Philli...he only had Simon Gagne basically. Now he's in Nashville, there's no excuse not to be playing better with the great bunch of guys they have. I duno what's his deal. there's tons more players who are playing better, and they're much older than him.
Maybe he needs to take a brief haitus?

Answer 10

Even if his numbers have dropped off Forsberg is worth having for his energy and emotion that he brings with him on the ice. That is something that can't be monitered in his numbers but is worth more than most people realize.