AP News, February 16th, 2007
Peter Forsberg will make his debut Saturday with the Nashville Predators on home ice, rather than Friday in St. Louis.
Traded to Nashville from Philadelphia on Thursday, a chance remained that the star center would join his new team against the Blues. Instead, he'll make his first appearance with the Predators when they play host to Minnesota.
The trade marked the biggest in the NHL before the deadline. Nashville gave up two young players _ forward Scottie Upshall and defenseman Ryan Parent, along with two draft picks _ in exchange for the 33-year-old Forsberg. He had 11 goals and 29 assists in 40 games for the Flyers this season, but has been hampered by an injury to his right foot that caused him to question if this might be his final season.
Forsberg, a late scratch Thursday before Philadelphia's loss to Toronto, was in his final year of a two-season contract. Philadelphia chose to move Forsberg before losing him without compensation.
"I liked it here and everything, it's just hard when I couldn't commit and that's why they had to move me," Forsberg said. "I understand that."
Nashville is the fourth team for the former league MVP. He was drafted by Philadelphia in 1991 before going to Quebec in the Eric Lindros trade a year later. He helped Colorado win Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001. The Predators give him another chance at the Cup. They own the best record in the Western Conference and have 81 points to sit one point behind league-leading Buffalo.
Starting Saturday, the Predators play four consecutive games at home, where they have sold out only five games this season. Team officials said they hope the trade persuades more fans to show up, especially for the playoffs, where they failed to sell out any of their games in appearances the last two seasons.
