Abel to Yzerman
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Not…Gonna…Happen
by IwoCPO on 10/30/07 at 08:30 AM ET
Comments (7)
Would you like me to prepare a list of the reasons why Peter Forsberg will never wear a Wing jersey? I can if you want. It’s not rocket science, or even basic geometry—which I failed. It’s pure logic. Naturally, the same brand of logic can’t be applied to our Diggers.
Yes, Forsberg appears ready to play for Team Sweden in one of the 73 international competitions scheduled over the course of the next 81 days. Yes, he’s probably healthy. Yes, I admit, he’d be a fine addition to a team in (not quite as serious) need of offense.
But, there’s no chance in hell. None.
Helene St. James reports this morning that Jim Nill and Hakan Andersson are going to take a look, but admirably points out they were going to the tournament anyway. She says the Wings are “keen to acquire him”. Cool. I’m keen on lots of things. I’m keen to fly my own rocketship, but I don’t own any diapers. I’m keen to change my name to Duke, but it’s a little late for that. I’m keen to work for Dunder Mifflin, but I think it’s a fictional organization—not sure.
“We’re interested, but let’s factor in money, let’s factor in term, let’s factor in our needs.”
Forget term and forget needs. If the Wings could do it, both of those issues would be (1) figured out and (b) determined quickly, if not already. Of course the Wings “need” Forsberg. Who doesn’t, if just to keep him off other Western rosters. Cut to the chase.
Financially, it makes no sense whatsoever. 4 million in Cap room? Outstanding. We’re in there. Sign him. Give him a stall next to Homer. Put him on the second line and hand us the Cup.
Not so fast.
4 million in space is not going to bring Peter Forsberg to Detroit. Ken Holland’s already operating from a position of weakness because Forsberg, if he has any nad whatsoever, hates Detroit and all the Wings stand for. He loves Colorado, has houses there, tummy rubbers who stalk him, friends in the room like the other #19. 4 million would get him to Denver, and they have 5 to spend.
And 4 million? Not quite. Ken Holland’s not going to shell out every available cent to a guy who could very well be hurt by the time the second round starts. If he signs Forsberg it would be for less than that with all sorts of wacked out incentives. It would have to be one of the more creative deals in recent memory.
But it’s not going to happen because Forsberg has so many other options. Philly? He likes Philly. Likes the team, likes the town. Dallas? They’ve sent half their staff over there to convince him he needs to buy a big ‘ol grill and become a Swedish Redneck. Tony Romo’s probably on the phone right now.
But he’s not going to Dallas and he’s not going to Philly or Vancouver or Ottawa. Or Detroit. He’s going to Denver because they can afford him and because….they can’ t fill their arena either. Would the Wings sell out if Floppa joined the Dynasty? Yep. Would Denver? Oh yeah. You think the Walmart guy or whatever tool owns that team cares about chemistry in the room, breaking up a team that practically scores at will? Nope. Because the fans don’t know them and don’t care to. But they love their Floppa in Denver. And they’d flock back to the Tab Can to see him.
And, be honest, you want him back there too. Is it a little scary? Sure. But, so much more satisfying when we beat them…again.
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Comments
I’m loving our team right now and see no need for F-berg, nor the hype and imbalance that would cause. It may very well be stupid to not covet a talent like that but I would rather see renewed rivalries and blood wars; that too would sell out arenas. Just put Downey in the lineup for every Avs game.
I’m not sure what he is looking to do but if it is win a cup, then we are *the* team he should be looking at. Not the least because of our commitment to Swedish talent; he’d could wear the national jersey at practice!
That said, a lot of anti-Foppa rhetoric is a rehash of what was said about Chelios coming to Detroit. He declared that he would never play for us, we burned anti-Cheli brands into our skin….now he’s ours and owns restaurants here..
We shall see…
Posted by srt on 10/30/07 at 10:29 AM ET
As far as I know, D-Mac is available for far less than $4 million.
(sound of crickets chirping—or is it the sound of 30 NHL GMs rushing to dial his agent?)
I agree, Forsberg in Detroit would just not be right…kinda like Chris Chelios…or Derian Hatcher…or Todd Bertuzzi (among others). Well, one of those worked out OK, so I guess the brain trust will keep trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 10/30/07 at 11:02 AM ET
Forsberg coming to Detroit? I will go with the Chief on this one and say it isn’t going to happen. Most likely I see him in Philly or back here in Denver. The Wings have good chemistry right now and I think he would upset that. The Avs chemistry is still not quite there and Quenville loves to play with line combinations (not to mention the minds of goalies).
But then I never thought the Wings would sign Chelios or Bertuzzi for that matter…..
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 10/30/07 at 12:22 PM ET
I don’t know. The Wings have held their nose and signed guys before that made little sense to the faithful—guys that the previous poster lists such as Bertuzzi and Chelios. The money makes no sense, and I think the guy ends up in Denver.
BUT…
Let’s not forget that about half of the Swedish national team suits up in red every other night. And let’s also not forget that most of the guys in that room in Denver have turned over since the good old days.
I hate the guy, and I hope he does end up in Denver, because even though you can’t go home again, you can always sneak back in the front yard and piss on the begonias in broad daylight and run like hell. Let’s do it!
Posted by Chris from Born in Detroit, exiled in DC on 10/30/07 at 02:11 PM ET
I agree with chic. Forsberg would be a huge distraction in the room and on the ice, where the young guys on the 2nd and 4th lines are just starting to gel. The Wings are way better off without him.
Posted by w2j2 on 10/30/07 at 02:21 PM ET
I would love to see Forsberg in a Redwings jersey. He’s the best there is…
Posted by Freud from Home Sweet Home on 10/31/07 at 05:39 PM ET
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‘Sell out’ in more ways than one.
No way would I be able to contain myself if a Dive loyalist like him had the absolute and utter audacity to take more Red Wing ice time ahead of a man who nearly lost his face because of him and his team of cheap-shot artists. You wanna see Fire On Ice? Get Floppa in Detroit and then watch what I do.
This is why we should never have let D-Mac go.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from where I stand Forsberg will never be a Wing! on 10/30/07 at 09:46 AM ET