Avalanche Sign Peter Forsberg to One-Year Contract

Peter Forsberg is on his way back to the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche announced on Sunday that they have signed the 37-year-old left wing to a one-year contract worth $1 million. The deal includes a no-trade and no-movement clause and will expire at the end of the 2010-11 season, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He hasn't played in the NHL since the 2007-08 season because of foot problems and has been conditioning his injured foot for the last two seasons in Sweden. Due to visa issues, Forsberg isn't expected to play his first game until at least February 11 when the Avalanche play the Blue Jackets in Columbus. In 706 career NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators, he has 249 goals and 636 assists for 885 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001 as a member of the Avalanche, the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in 2003, the Calder Trophy as rookie-of-the-year in 1995, and Olympic Gold Medals in 1994 and 2006 as a member of Team Sweden. Not a bad signing for Colorado as long as Forsberg can stay healthy. He is an outstanding playmaker and stickhandler, as well as a bit of a physical player. He has worked very hard to make a comeback to the NHL after years of foot problems, and as long as his foot doesn't get re-injured, he should be a decent offensive contributor for the Avalanche. If he suffers another foot injury, it will more than likely spell the end of Forsberg's hockey career.