Forsberg Leaves The Flyers

On a regular Thursday night in the National Hockey League, Peter Forsberg was warming up before the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pete was looking good and everybody in the stands was happy, and cheering for the Flyers captain. Until suddenly he got called back to the dressing room, now everybody went silent, and you could here the fans panicking voices. Everybody was talking wondering what was going on, until the announcer said that Peter Forsberg was a healthy scratch and will not be playing tonight. Right there most of the fans walked out of the building, knowing that there team is probably going to lose. Who could blame them too, the Flyers are 0-13-2 without Peter Forsberg.

Throughout the whole game while the Toronto Maple Leafs were laying a beating on the Phillidelphia Flyers, you could hear a pin drop. I never ever thought in my lifetime I would ever hear the Flyers building that silent. Even when the Flyers scored nobody cheered, and they also came back from 3-0 and made it 3-1, then 4-2. Throughout the whole game you would think the players are sleeping on the ice, from both teams. The Flyers weren't turning it on, so the Leafs didn't have to hold them back. It was probably the easiest win the Leafs will ever get.

Later on in the game, it was announced that Peter Forsberg was traded to the Nashville Predators. Now I have to agree with this trade because they got two very talented players from it, Scotty Upshall, Ryan Parrent, and a 1st round and 3rd round draft pick with a conditional 6th round draft pick if Peter Forsberg resignes with the Nashville Predators when his contract ends in July. So in my opinion, the Flyers got the large end of the stick with that deal, and the Predators the short. Don't get me wrong, Forsberg is a good player, but so is Scotty Upshall and Ryan Parrent. I would have to say that thoughs two players alone are worth the trade, so the Predators throwing in 2, possibly 3 draft picks for a old veteren that is possibly going to retire in the next 2-3 years? I guess we will find out if the Predators are trying for a cup before they move, or just trying to bring people to the stands.

According to Philly.com, the trade just totally shocked the teammates and the coaching staff. The coach called it difficult while one of the players called it surreal! Immagine playing one of the top 15 teams in the league while your team is one of the worst, and then have your star player/captain leave the ice and never come back as one of your teammates? Now that has to be rough for the Flyers coaching staff, and its players. I am very interested in what way the Flyers are going from here, up or down?

Tyler Bowler - The Hockey Fanatic
References: Picture by, Sportsnet, Forsberg aftermath <http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20070216_095940_3592>