Adrian Dater believes the Avs are going to make Peter Forsberg an offer, should he be ready. From his All Things Avs blog:
OK, here’s my prediction of something soon regarding the Avalanche: they will make a BIG pitch to Peter Forsberg IF IF IF he decides he can play again this year. That decision should come soon. I’m not hearing anything overly negative about his latest condition, so it might happen.
To me, that’s a pretty ballsy prediction. I mean, the guy has been hurt over and over, and sure, he missed Colorado while he was away, but he hasn’t been a real contributer to an NHL team in a few years. Mind you, this is just a prediction from Dater, and not a rumor. He isn’t going out and saying that he “is hearing” that something will happen, just making a prediction. That I respect.
But every time someone needs some scoring punch, which the Avs need badly these days – and that just feels so wrong to type – Peter Forsberg’s name gets dragged out like some frozen head, ready to be thawed out and put on a new body that isn’t so injury prone. Sure, it would be fun to see Forsberg in an Avs jersey again. And it would be great to get that old scoring touch back in the lineup, along with some of that old chemistry. But there is a reason they say you can never go home again. Peter Forsberg isn’t the same person who left for the Eastern Conference (ie: the greener pastures of less travel). And he isn’t going to be playing with the same Avs he did a few years ago. When was the last time the Avs were desperate for scoring? Ever?
And while Dater has some good reasons for wanting the old Forsberg back, it’s his third reason that I find a little daunting:
Third, the Avs need to get some buzz back with their fans and sell some tickets.
And with that, cue the bloggers who love to point to the lack of fans in Colorado. And while he has a point, go forbid the Avs should lower ticket prices a little and make the games affordable to the average fan.
Speaking of which, last time I was in Denver (about six weeks ago), I was able to take in an Avs game at Le Can. I picked up a club level ticket outside at a pretty decent price (I’m sure the guy made a few bucks off me, but I’m not complaining), and went to sit where the other half live. There were three guys across the aisle from me, who obviously had more money than brains. At the first intermission, one of the guys came back with a big foam puck hat, a foam finger, a few other trinkets, and THREE JERSEYS, all bought right then and there. They all put on their jerseys, and tried to blend in with the crowd, but you could tell, even if you hadn’t seen it happen. That kind of spending is well out of the norm for your average fan. I hope that isn’t what the Avs expect from the rest of us.
If there is some fan backlash from not having the high flying Avs of old on the ice, imagine what it would be like if Peter the Great isn’t so great right now. Is there someone else they can make a bid for? Or is another superstar player really the answer?
One response to “More Forsberg”
Tape, I’m right there with you on the doubtful benefit Forsberg would have on the current Avs. He’s not the player he used to be and the team isn’t what they used to be—even if he was added back in the mix.
He’d be little more than a gimmick if he came back, not a real contributor to the squad’s success.
And while I don’t live in Denver, I empathize with all hockey fans of modest means, no matter the arena they want to attend a game at. Ticket prices need to come down. Raise the corporate/club seat prices and drop all the rest.
Good post.