Peter Forsberg Was Here

While I'm in a hockey state of mind, ESPN Magazine has a cover story on Forsberg's future that makes for an interesting read. If you have an ESPN Insider account, you can read it here. Otherwise, check out the newsstands this week.

PETER FORSBERG WAS HERE.

Was.

Because soon, was might be all we've got.

Forsberg, the league MVP, could have signed a lifetime deal with the Avalanche this summer if he so desired, but he signed for only one season. One year. That's all he's giving the NHL. Everyone close to Forsberg says he took a long while this summer, back in his native Sweden, before deciding to come back to the States this season. "A real discussion with himself," says one longtime friend. "Very, very hard," says another. The man seems to be looking for a reason to leave. Now the league is about to give it to him.

This isn't Steve Yzerman or Mark Messier, legends who will retire anyway after another year or two. This isn't Dany Heatley or Todd Bertuzzi, North American stars who will wait out the storm and dazzle us again someday. This isn't Mike Modano or Sergei Fedorov, offensive wizards who had to learn a defensive game. This is, arguably, the most complete player in hockey history. The guy who, two years ago, led the league in postseason scoring without even making it to the Cup Finals. The guy who, last season, became the first man in 39 seasons to lead the NHL in points without scoring 30 goals. "He has the skill of the best who ever played," says Stars wing Bill Guerin, "and the toughness of the toughest who ever played."