#39 - Peter Forsberg

Peter Forsberg (Murillo Pyramid Rank = #39)

Adjusted Stats

1994-1995   Que          80 GP   26 goals   62 assists   88 points    1.10 PPG
1995-1996   Col*         82 GP   29 goals   84 assists   113 points  1.38 PPG
1996-1997   Col           65 GP   30 goals   61 assists   91 points    1.40 PPG
1997-1998   Col           72 GP   29 goals   77 assists   106 points  1.47 PPG
1998-1999   Col           78 GP   35 goals   78 assists   113 points  1.45 PPG
1999-2000   Col           49 GP   16 goals   41 assists   57 points    1.17 PPG
2000-2001   Col*         73 GP   30 goals   69 assists   99 points    1.36 PPG
2002-2003   Col           75 GP   34 goals   89 assists   123 points  1.64 PPG
2003-2004   Col           39 GP   22 goals   44 assists   66 points    1.69 PPG
2005-2006   Phi            60 GP   19 goals   57 assists   76 points    1.27 PPG
2006-2007   Phi/Nsh     57 GP   14 goals   45 assists   59 points    1.03 PPG
2007-2008   Col           9 GP     1 goal       15 assists   16 points   1.76 PPG
2010-2011   Col           2 GP     0 goals      0 assists     0 points     0.00 PPG

Adjusted Playoff Stats

1994-1995    Que          6 GP    2 goals      4 assists     5 points     0.88 PPG
1995-1996    Col*         22 GP  10 goals    11 assists   20 points   0.91 PPG
1996-1997    Col           14 GP  5 goals      13 assists   18 points   1.28 PPG
1997-1998    Col           7 GP    7 goals      6 assists     12 points   1.75 PPG
1998-1999    Col           19 GP  9 goals      18 assists   26 points   1.39 PPG
1999-2000    Col           16 GP  8 goals      10 assists   18 points   1.13 PPG
2000-2001    Col*         11 GP  5 goals      12 assists   16 points   1.49 PPG
2001-2002    Col           20 GP  11 goals    21 assists   32 points   1.60 PPG
2002-2003    Col           7 GP    2 goals      7 assists     10 points   1.36 PPG
2003-2004    Col           11 GP  5 goals      9 assists     14 points   1.28 PPG
2005-2006    Phi            6 GP    4 goals      4 assists     8 points     1.33 PPG
2006-2007    Nsh          5 GP    2 goals      2 assists     5 points     0.91 PPG
2007-2008    Col           7 GP    1 goal       4 assists     5 points     0.75 PPG

Career - 741 GP, 285 goals, 722 assists, 1007 points, 1.36 PPG
Career-Highs - 35 goals (98-99); 89 assists (02-03); 123 points (02-03); 1.69 PPG (03-04)
Avg. (13 seasons) - 57 GP, 22 goals, 56 assists, 77 points, 1.36 PPG
Peak Avg. (94-03) - 72 GP, 29 goals, 70 assists, 99 points, 1.38 PPG, 2 Cups

Playoff Career - 151 GP, 71 goals, 121 assists, 189 points, 1.25 PPG
Playoff-Highs - 11 goals (01-02); 21 assists (01-02); 32 points (01-02); 1.75 PPG (97-98)

Accolades - MVP Award, 1 Art Ross, Calder
All-Star Teams - 3-time 1st-team
2-time Stanley Cup Champion

For the period from about 1997 to 2003, Jaromir Jagr may have been the most dominant scorer in the NHL, but Peter Forsberg was the league's best player. (Well, from 1997 to 1999, it's arguable Dominik Hasek was the league's best player, so let's restrict it to non-goaltenders). Rarely have I seen someone of his particular talents who could dominate a game in such a way. He wasn't a natural goal scorer, but you were always aware of his ability to score a timely goal; he wasn't a fierce hitter, but he shut down opponents effortlessly. The one thing he most definitely was is one of the best playmakers and one of the best two-way players to ever play the game.

The statistics look somewhat Adam Oates-ish, seeing as Forsberg never once cracked even 35 adjusted goals. But while Forsberg's production may have been similar to Oates and Joe Thornton, his overall impact far exceeded theirs. Along with Joe Sakic, Forsberg formed the league's best 1-2 punch of centers and helped power the Nordiques/Avalanche franchise from mediocrity to league dominance immediately upon his arrival (the Nordiques had one of the league's best records in Forsberg's rookie season, and the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in Forsberg's sophomore campaign).

Moreover, if ever there was a player who stepped up when the spotlight shone brightest, it was Forsberg. Twice he led the playoffs in scoring, including the remarkable 2002 run, in which Forsberg missed the entire regular season only to return in time to lead the Avalanche to a run to the Western Conference championship with a dazzling 32 adjusted points in 20 games.

And yet, like Lindros, Forsberg's career was cut short far too early. After his MVP season of 2002-2003, Forsberg never played more than 60 games in a season, and officially hit rock-bottom when he mustered just nine games in his final season with the Avalanche (he still managed to put up 16 adj. points). Every year, particularly around playoff time, there are rumours that Forsberg is attempting a comeback, and in fact, in early 2011, the Avalanche did sign Forsberg. But after just two games, a teary Forsberg announced his retirement. One gets the sense it's final now.

He's the starting center on the "What Might Have Been" all-star team (how I pray that Sidney Crosby doesn't have recurring concussions and supplant him). Still, we are left with the memories of his dominance, and with two Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy, and a career adjusted-PPG that would have ranked him behind just Lemieux, Gretzky and Orr (not shabby company to be in). It would have been fun to see Forsberg for a few more years, but we shouldn't forget the years he gave us.