Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg is heading back to play ice hockey in his home country next season, according to a newspaper report in Sweden.
The newspaper Aftonbladet said that because of the likelihood of a prolonged NHL lockout, Forsberg has committed to play next season for MoDo, the Swedish Elite League team in his hometown of Ornskoldsvik.
Forsberg, the MVP last season, is playing this season under a one-year contract with Colorado, and it has been speculated that he was positioning himself to have the option to return to play for MoDo during an NHL labor dispute.
Under International Ice Hockey Federation agreements, Forsberg couldn’t play in Sweden during a lockout if he was under contract to the Avalanche. Also, he could not return to Colorado next season following a labor settlement if he is under contract to MoDo.
Aftonbladet reported that Forsberg has “decided” and that he “will sign [with MoDo] regardless of the lockout,” and has so informed Colorado. It also said, however, that nobody involved, including the Avalanche, can talk about the issue until after the playoffs.
Forsberg, 30, played four seasons for MoDo before joining the Quebec Nordiques in 1995, following the last NHL work stoppage.
Forsberg has not played since Feb. 16 because of a recurring groin muscle injury. He has been limited to 32 games this season, but has 17 goals and 31 assists. He has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Quebec-Colorado franchise.
RESULTS, SATURDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Philadelphia 2 at Boston 3
Glen Murray scored 1:21 into OT. Andrew Raycroft tied the most wins by a Boston rookie goaltender in 22 years. Raycroft stopped 26 shots and posted 22nd win of season.
N.Y. Rangers 1 at Nashville 2
Andrew Hutchinson scored a power-play goal 3:50 into OT to give Predators 5th victory in 6 games. Matthew Barnaby tied it at 1 in the 3rd period for Rangers, who have lost 4 of 6.
Anaheim 1 at Los Angeles 2
Luc Robitaille had a goal and assist. Derek Armstrong had 2 assists for Kings, who are 3-0-1 in last 4 meetings against Ducks. Kings and Ducks have never made playoffs in same season.
Buffalo 1 at Ottawa 7
Bryan Smolinski had goal, 2 assists for Senators, who have earned points in 20 straight home games. Jacques Martin is victory away from becoming 14th coach to reach 400 wins.
Carolina 0 at Montreal 1
Mike Ribeiro scored 3:38 into OT. Jose Theodore made 18 saves for 6th shutout of season, giving Canadiens season-high 4th straight win. Hurricanes were 0-for-6 on power play.
New Jersey 0 at Toronto 3
Ed Belfour returned to lineup after missing 11 of 12 games and shut out Devils. Belfour, plagued by sore back, made 17 saves for his 6th shutout of season and 71st of career.
Colorado 4 at Columbus 5
David Vyborny had goal and 4 assists, including 1 on Jaroslav Spacek’s 1-timer 3:24 into OT. It was Blue Jackets’ 1st victory over the Avalanche after going 0-13-1 in their first 14 meetings.
Washington 2 at Tampa Bay 4
Cory Stillman scored the go-ahead goal with 3:29 left in 3rd period. Lightning is 14-1-1-4 over the past 20 games. Fredrik Modin became Lightning’s 5th 20-goal scorer this season.
St. Louis 0 at Vancouver 2
Johan Hedberg stopped penalty shot with :03.4 left and made 31 saves. Artem Chubarov and Mattias Ohlund each scored. The shutout was Hedberg’s 2nd of season and 9th in career.
