Flyers Notes: Hall of Famer Forsberg takes a bow at Flyers game
Revisionist history says the Flyers should have kept center Peter Forsberg instead of sending him and a mega-package - forwards Mike Ricci and Chris Simon, defensemen Kerry Huffman and Steve Duchesne, goalie Ron Hextall, 1993 and 1994 first-round draft picks, and $15 million - to Quebec for Eric Lindros in 1992.
Revisionist history says the Flyers should have kept center Peter Forsberg instead of sending him and a mega-package - forwards Mike Ricci and Chris Simon, defensemen Kerry Huffman and Steve Duchesne, goalie Ron Hextall, 1993 and 1994 first-round draft picks, and $15 million - to Quebec for Eric Lindros in 1992.
Forsberg, the Flyers' No. 1 draft pick in 1991, had a brilliant NHL career (885 points in 708 games), won two Stanley Cups with Colorado, and went into Hockey's Hall of Fame last month.
On Tuesday, Forsberg was honored with a video tribute before the Flyers faced Tampa Bay, and he dropped the ceremonial first puck between captains Claude Giroux and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos at the Wells Fargo Center.
Forsberg was asked if he ever thought what his career would have been like if he had not been traded by the Flyers, a franchise that last won a Cup in 1975.
"I didn't think too much about it when I played, but I have to say, Mr. [Ed] Snider wants to win, and it could have been a real good run, too, but I ended up in a real good organization," Forsberg said.
He played two seasons with the Flyers late in his career, collecting 115 points in 100 games despite foot problems.
"I can't complain, but I did watch the Flyers my whole career and I know they were close a few times," Forsberg said. "It's hard to say whether they would have won [Cups] with me or not. . . . I would like to say yes."
Forsberg, 41, said it meant a lot to be honored by the Flyers because he thought he was "struggling" with injuries when he played here. "It was hard here my second year because we didn't win a lot of games."
Late in the 2006-07 season, the Flyers dealt the aging Forsberg to Nashville for Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, and first- and third-round draft picks. General manager Paul Holmgren later traded that No. 1 pick back to Nashville for the negotiating rights to Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell, players who became big contributors for several seasons.
All-star update
Jake Voracek and Giroux continue to be among the NHL's leading scorers, but they have dropped in the latest fans' all-star voting.
In voting released Tuesday, Voracek was 17th and Giroux was 31st among forwards. Voracek entered the night tied for second in the NHL with 37 points, while Giroux was tied for fifth with 34.
Fans can vote online at NHL.com/vote.
Flyers Notes:
Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg takes a bow. Flyers notes, D3