Would you sign Peter Forsberg to a 1-year contract to help sell tickets, and then trade him later on at the deadline to a playoff contender to help rebuild your team with young draft picks?

Peter Forsberg’s future in the NHL is uncertain. He’s currently back in Sweden recovering from ankle surgery. There were rumors he may play in Sweden or possibly retire there. Recent news however, suggests his ankle has been recovering well and there are rumored to be as many as eight NHL teams interested in possibly signing him. Some rumors are obviously stronger than others.

There is no doubt Forsberg has talent. At times he has been touted as the most complete NHL player, but injuries have always interfered with his game. Nonetheless he has amassed an amazing 871 points in 697 games. While the 2007-08 season nears there are several questions worth asking. Which teams actually have a shot at signing him? Is this band-aid boy worth the big bucks? What type of fantasy impact could he have? Here’s a breakdown of the eight teams interested in him:

Buffalo Sabres

Main Attraction(s): Thomas Vanek, Maxim Afinogenov, Ryan Miller, a speedy team, sold-out arena, crazy fans, and last season’s success
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Yes
Does the team need a C/ LW? They lost Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency, but still have Tim Connolly, Johan Hecht, and Derek Roy
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? Yes, his passing ability and grit could fit in well with speedy talents scorers such as Vanek and Afinogenov
What will likely happen? Buffalo will not spend the money and will sign former Sabre Michael Peca instead
Fantasy Impact if Signed: A competitive team with scoring ability will foster Forsberg desire to play or want to play there- this team still has enough of it. Prediction- 68 points

Anaheim Ducks

Main Attraction(s): Stanley Cup Champions, Chris Pronger, Mathieu Schneider, J.S. Giguere and maybe Scott Niedermayer (if he does not retire)
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Absolutely yes
Does the team need a C/ LW? No, they still have Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf and Sam Pahlsson
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? Maybe not so much, but this team is so good defensively it thus generates offense and thus he would do well here
What will likely happen? As attractive as they are, he won’t sign here.
Fantasy Impact if Signed: If Selanne were still here, it would be huge. Without Selanne this team lacks a pure finisher with that scoring touch. Prediction – 60 points, then he will get injured and the team will hold him back until playoff time.

Detroit Red Wings

Main Attraction(s): Dominik Hasek, Hockeytown, and eight fellow Swedes on the roster including studs Nicklas Lidstrom, and Henrik Zetterberg
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Absolutely yes!
Does the team need a C/ LW? Pavel Datsyuk and Jiri Hurdler play center, but I’m sure they would switch players around to make it work
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? Absolutely yes! This team has fellow Swedes to make him feel at home, they have talent, grit and always seem to put together a competitive team.
What will likely happen? If the money is right this could be a perfect fit. The Red Wings have taken chances in the past such as with often injured power forward Todd Bertuzzi. Forsberg could feel at home here and have fun on a competitive team.
Fantasy Impact if Signed: He would love to play here even when injured. Prediction-80 points

New York Islanders

Main Attraction(s): Nothing what so ever- not even Bill Guerin
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? No
Does the team need a C/ LW? Yes, they could use his help. As of now Mike Sillinger, Shawn Bates, and Andy Hilbert are there 3 main centers.
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? No, there’s not much talent or even an exciting youngster worth getting excited over
What will likely happen? Garth Snow will wake up and realize he has no shot at signing him even with money to spend
Fantasy Impact if Signed: He could help their power play unit big time but would not have much of a supporting cast. Prediction- he’ will score maximum 30 points, get injured and not be in a rush to get back and then get traded at the trade deadline to help make up for the draft picks they lost in getting Ryan Smyth.

Nashville Predators

Main Attraction(s): Alexander Radulov, Chris Mason, Greg de Vries, 
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Yes
Does the team need a C/ LW? They currently have Jason Arnott , David Legwand, and Radek Bonk as likely centers, but a Forsberg type skilled player could be accommodated.
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? Yes, he played in Nashville last season and is familiar with them. He averaged almost a point per game there. Alexander Radulov is a budding star that would be very complimentary to play with.
What will likely happen? Peter has been there and done that. While he could go back there, he’s most likely looking to go somewhere even better.
Fantasy Impact if Signed: Nashville lost a little of its star power, but enough talent exists. Prediction-65 points

Colorado Avalanche

Main Attraction(s): Joe Sackic, Milan Hejduk, Ryan Smyth, great Stanley Cup memories, and talented youngsters (Stastny Wolski, and Svatos).
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Yes
Does the team need a C/ LW? They do not need him, but would take him back in a heartbeat if the money was right
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? Absolutely yes! He has fond memories and his best seasons were with Sackic and Hejduk. This team is loaded with offensive talent and he could have fun playing with everyone
What will likely happen? Besides playing in Detroit, the Avs have to be the only other very attractive offer. Can they afford him? No, but what the heck, it may be time for a homecoming and the fans will go nuts!
Fantasy Impact if Signed: Like Detroit, he would love to play here even when injured. Prediction-80 points- his best season in years!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Main Attraction(s): Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, Marc Andre Fleury, etc
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Yes
Does the team need a C/ LW? No. they already have Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Sykora, and Christensen.
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? This team is very offensively talented. Crosby and Malkin could be the two best young players in the league, thus attracting veterans such as Roberts and Recchi. But Forsberg could steal Crosby’s sunshine. That would not be good. Let Crosby run this team.
What will likely happen? As attractive and competitive as they are this is not a good fit for him
Fantasy Impact if Signed: While he does have talent he would not feel like a piece of the puzzle here and would likely step back to a lesser role. Prediction -55 points

Ottawa Senators

Main Attraction(s): Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, and the overall team’s success last season
Playoff Contender in 2007-08? Yes
Does the team need a C/ LW? While this team had great success last season, they could still use a top second line center to play with Alfie
Is Forsberg likely to have chemistry there? Yes, this team is competitive and skilled. Playing alongside Alfredsson is his long time Swedish national team teammate could bring his best season in years.
What will likely happen? This is a high possibility. This team would be a good fit
Fantasy Impact if Signed: The Senators could have two very deadly scoring lines. Prediction- 80 points