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DENVER -- Four games.
That's all Swedish star Peter Forsberg had managed for the Colorado Avalanche heading into last night's contest against the Calgary Flames.
And with points so critical in the playoff race, it's been as tough on the team as it has for Forsberg, who signed a one-year deal with the Avs before the trade deadline despite a troublesome foot that has kept him out of the NHL for nearly an entire season.
"Well, it's definitely frustrating, but I can't be too frustrated by it. I've just got to look forward now that I'm back in," said Forsberg yesterday before suiting up for a fifth time.
"I feel good about coming back and playing those games that are left."
Limited by what the team is calling a groin injury, Forsberg says the foot and ankle are fine.
But a local report claimed differently, and you have to wonder whether or not the desire to return to the NHL trumped his good sense.
Forsberg admitted he knew it wouldn't be smooth sailing upon his return.
"I knew it was going to be a bumpy road when I came back," he said. "Hopefully, I can play the rest. "It's tough to sit out, especially like this just coming back at the end of the year."
With the tightness of the standings, Avalanche head coach Joel Quenneville is happy to have the 34-year-old on board for whatever games he feels well enough to play.
"When he plays ... he's been very effective," said Quenneville. "You can tell he's an elite player."
