All Sport Report

The Flyers have taken my advice and traded Peter Forsberg. I’m glad someone in a Philadelphia sports organization is finally listening. Forsberg is officially flying south to Nashville, y’all.

After having a very impressive 9 year stint with the Avalanche organization, Peter the Great spent the last season and a half in Orange and Black. My visions were filled with images of Lord Stanleys cup being escorted down Broad Street, playing hookie from work to be present at the first parade in Philadelphia in a long, long time.

But Peter’s tenure in Philly wasn’t all that I’d hoped, in fact it was injury plagued and not very impressive at all- he missed over twenty games last season and only managed 75 points; and he’s missed more than ten by the halfway point of this year. Now 75 points may seem like nothing to complain about, but we’re talking about a guy who’s supposed to be tops in talent in the NHL.

This trade could potentially accomplish two things for the Predators - firstly, the team is already good - number one in the West, adding Forsberg to the mix with other big talent like Paul Kariya(pictured below) and Jason Arnott can only make them better. If Peter can stay on the ice this team has a chance of going very deep into the playoffs. Secondly, and also very important to the franchise it will put rear ends in the seats - the team needs to make money to stay in Nashville.

There are two potential negatives as well - Forsberg could continue to suffer from the bizarre skate related injury and spend most of his time off the ice not really helping the cause; and he refuses to talk about next year until this year is out, making for what could be a very costly and potentially unproductive rental.

So what does this trade do for Philadelphia - well for starters it gives them Ryan Parent, the Predators first round pick in ‘05, he’s a young defenseman with good potential. The Flyers also get 23 year old forward Scott Upshaw as well as Nashvilles 1st and 3rd round picks in the upcoming draft.

This works two fold for the Flyers as well - they are potentially putting together a team that could remain together far into the future with a chance to develop as a cohesive unit, and secondly it will force them to pick a captain and give the team identity. The Flyers haven’t lacked talent over the course of the last few years, they’ve lacked leadership, no one has taken the reigns since Kieth Primeau was injured. This trade not only gives someone the chance to step up it requires it - Mike Richards, are you listening - this is your time to shine!