Rangers & Forsberg

Today, Larry Brooks reports that the Rangers are scouting Peter Forsberg, who apparently considering a returning to the NHL or a possible stint in the KHL. Apparently, other interested teams include the Flyers, Capitals, and Canadiens.

There's no cap space to sign Forsberg, and even if Sather was able to pull off another miracle salary dump (see Gomez, Scott), is Forsberg a solid investment? He's been plauged by injuries for years and at 36 is no spring chicken. Another injury prone star should not be on the Rangers' shopping list. It seems like Sather is more interested in other teams in the East not having Forsberg than he is with what Forsberg could do for the Rangers. Since the lockout the Rangers have more or less been able to reverse their trend of signing aging superstars who fail to produce. In fact they actually let a couple of them sign elsewhere (Jagr and Shanahan).

The hype that surrounds a potential Forsberg comeback isn't unlike the hysteria and speculation that surrounded Mats Sundin last year. Luckily, the Rangers were outdone by Vancouver's ludicrous $10 million offer (prorated, of course!). That's a huge chunk of change to spend on second round playoff run, which is essentially what the Canucks got. Would it be great to see the Rangers advance to the semifinals this season? Of course it would, but not if the cost is prospects, draft picks and/or developing young players. They'll get a few months out of Forsberg before he gets injured or retires, and in the end he won't be able to increase this team's postseason chances substantially enough to justify what he's undoubtedly going to cost.

Tempting as it may be to throw a few million his way and see what happens, the Rangers will, in the long run, be a better team if they let Forsberg become someone else's headache.