Forsberg considers signing with Hawks
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- OK, this apparently is no joke.
According to an NHL source with inside knowledge of the situation, the Blackhawks are among the handful of teams still in the picture to sign free-agent center Peter Forsberg.
According to the source, Forsberg likes the direction the Hawks are going and is intrigued about the possibility of playing with rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
Hawks general manager Dale Tallon didn't want to comment extensively on the Forsberg situation but admitted he has had discussions with the former MVP.
"We're in the mix," was all Tallon wanted to say Saturday morning.
Tallon has had discussions with Forsberg and Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, and there are Hawks scouts watching Forsberg skate daily in his native Sweden.
Forsberg has been skating the last three weeks with his former club MoDo. He hasn't played all season because of ankle and foot problems that required a surgical procedure in December.
The NHL source admitted the Hawks remain a longshot to get Forsberg, especially if the veteran center is looking to land with a Stanley Cup contender.
However, the Hawks have more financial wiggle room than some clubs to make Forsberg a better offer, particularly the length of any potential contract. It's believed the Hawks would be interested in locking up the 34-year-old Forsberg for the next two or three seasons.
Those clubs still in the Forsberg hunt with the Hawks are believed to be Colorado, Vancouver, Ottawa and Philadelphia. On Wednesday, The Sports Network out of Canada reported the Hawks still being in the running for Forsberg.
Forsberg this week told several interested clubs he wouldn't be signing with them, including Detroit, Calgary, Nashville, San Jose and Dallas.
The newspapers in Vancouver have been filled with Forsberg stories. The Canucks' chances are bolstered by Forsberg's close friendship with Markus Naslund.
"I'm hoping, but I don't know what the chances would be," Naslund said.
The Avalanche might have the inside track since Forsberg once played in Colorado.
The Flyers desperately want Forsberg but don't have much salary-cap space, if any, and might need to move out a player to make room.
It would be a risk for any team to sign Forsberg considering his history of ankle and foot problems. Despite being 34, Forsberg has appeared in only 697 NHL games because of injuries. He has scored 871 points.
According to reports, Forsberg may be looking for a deal that pays him up to $5.5 million a year.
Tallon has been in contract with Forsberg since early in the season when it looked as if Forsberg planned to return before more ankle problems surfaced.