Calgary, Alberta – As Joe Sakic accepted congratulations Thursday from teammates following a night in which he scored his 600th goal, he was also asked about the other big NHL news of the day: former teammate Peter Forsberg’s return to the Western Conference, in a trade to the Nashville Predators.
“I’m sure they’re real happy in Nashville right now,” Sakic said. “They just got a lot better.”
Sakic never expected to see Forsberg in an Avalanche uniform this season, despite a local broadcast report saying a return might be imminent. The Avs will be able to put in a bid for Forsberg if and when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Does Sakic have any visions of seeing No. 21 back in burgundy and blue next season?
“That’s out of our hands,” Sakic said. “It’ll be good to see Peter hopefully later in the year (April 7 at the Pepsi Center).”
If Forsberg stays healthy long enough to play for Nashville that day, that is.
Svatos scratched again
Avs right wing Marek Svatos was a healthy scratch for the second straight game. A 32-goal scorer last season, Svatos was joined in the press box by forward Mark Rycroft.
Footnotes
The Avs used Brad May on the second line, with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk. May did a good job creating some space down low for his linemates with physical play and finished with two assists, including on Sakic’s 600th. “That line was excellent for us tonight,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. … The Avs will practice today in Calgary at the Saddledome. … Avs defenseman John-Michael Liles played 8:22, only a slight improvement over his sparse ice time Tuesday against Anaheim.
