Peter Forsberg’s days in Denver are over.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced tonight they have signed the former Avalanche star to a free agent contract. A press conference is expected to take place Thursday announcing his addition to the Flyers, the team that originally drafted Forsberg.
Forsberg’s departure from the Avs is the second major blow to the team this week. Adam Foote left for Columbus on Monday, but Forsberg’s exit is the more shocking of the two.
Forsberg said he wanted to stay in Denver, but apparently the Avalanche could not make the economics work to keep him. Colorado already has more than $13 million committed to Joe Sakic and Rob Blake, and has little space under the league mandated salary cap of $39 million.
Forsberg was among the biggest current sports stars in Denver.
Forsberg could not be reached for comment today, and his agent, Don Baizley, did not return phone calls.
Forsberg’s rookie card shows him in a Flyers jersey, but he was traded soon after to the Quebec Nordiques in a blockbuster deal for Eric Lindros. Apparently, Forsberg’s career has now come full circle.
The Avalanche said tonight that its offer to Forsberg was $13.5 million for four years, which was all it said it could afford and not go over the salary cap.
