Forsberg Signs With Flyers

ESPN is reporting that Peter Forsberg, former center for the Colorado Avalanche, has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for 2 years and over $10 million dollars. The move will put the Flyers over the salary cap, thus reports are surfacing that the Flyers will deal center Jeremy Roenick, the team's highest paid player, to the Los Angeles Kings for draft picks. Roenick, you might recall, was outspoken during the lockout.

Forsberg was once a Flyer, but never suited up for the team. Forsberg was one of the players sent to the then Quebec Nordiques in exchange for Eric Lindros, the dominant center whose career was plagued by injury and drama. Forsberg became the dominant, Stanley Cup-winning center that most expected Lindros to become.

The Flyers have been busy dealers since the new collective bargaining agreement was ratified. John LeClair and Tony Amonte were placed on waivers the first day that moves were possible. Earlier this week, the Flyers signed three defensemen: Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje and former Flyer Chris Therien. Hatcher and Roenick have a volatile history, and Roenick came out after his signing to say that they could co-exist. Now, that doesn't seem necessary. In addition to the defenseman signings, the Flyers also traded away defenseman Danny Markov in exchange for a third round draft pick.

The Flyers, already believed to be one of the NHL's top teams, are now in even better shape to contend for the Stanley Cup. Some local reporters and radio broadcasters have speculated that the Flyers may have to move another contract after Roenick, but that is unconfirmed. If the roster stays relatively intact, the Flyers will enter the season with top stars like Forsberg, Hatcher, Simon Gagne and Keith Primeau, as well as top prospects like Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

While we're pretty giddy about their prospects, we also have no idea how things will shake in the overhauled hockey league. For all we know, this could be like Citizens Bank Park all over again. Yeah, that makes no sense, but we think you get it anyways.