CALGARY, Alberta — According to a report in the Swedish newspaper, Expressen, former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg still might have a chance at resuming his hockey career.
Forsberg, who withdrew from a European tournament this month after feeling pain in his surgically repaired right foot, got encouraging news from a doctor he visited recently in Phoenix.
“I can say now that I think we can solve the issues with his foot, so that it won’t hinder Peter from playing hockey again,” Dr. Bertil Romanus told the paper. “In the beginning of October, Peter’s foot was so good that he was able to skate all out, and I definitely believe we can find a way to get him back to that.”
Romanus said a new brace will be tested on Forsberg’s foot, and that he’ll undergo a daily skating regimen. Forsberg, 34, is an unrestricted free agent.
Roster moves. Avalanche defenseman Karlis Skrastins was activated Tuesday after missing a month with a separated shoulder.
In other moves, the Avs sent defenseman Jeff Jillson back to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League, and recalled forward Cody McCormick from the Monsters.
McCormick, 24, has appeared in 95 career NHL games with the Avs, and had two goals and six points in 13 games with Lake Erie. Jillson never got a chance to play with the Avs after being recalled from the Monsters on Oct. 27.
Farm report. Goalie Jason Bacashihua, acquired this month from St. Louis, posted a 38-save shutout for Lake Erie last week, and stopped 35-of-38 shots in a win over Toronto (AHL) on Saturday. Forward T.J. Hensick leads Lake Erie in scoring with 11 points (five goals) in 13 games.
On the ballot. The Avalanche has five players listed on the NHL all-star ballot — Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, Milan Hejduk, Scott Hannan and Ryan Smyth. This season’s game is Jan. 27 in Atlanta.
