Forsberg won’t return to NHL this year

Peter Forsberg ended speculation over a late season return to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday in Sweden, indicated that he wouldn’t play in the NHL this year.  Forsberg attempted a late season run with the Avs last year, but struggled with a foot injury that kept him out of 18 regular season and four playoff games.

Forsberg also declined a roster spot on the Swedish National Team for the “LG Hockey Games” tournament later this week.  He has been skating and working out on the ice in an effort to get his foot back into game shape.  Still, he’s not far enough along in his recovery to consider a return to the NHL:

"There won't be any NHL this season, that's totally clear. If I can play it will be in the [Swedish] Elite Series and Modo."

Forsberg will defer a decision about playing pro hockey in Sweden this year until after he gets some more ice time to test his foot:

"I will be training with Modo during the national team break and I hope to make a decision after that. Modo understands that I'm still not sure I can play, but the foot feels better today than it did at the start of the week."

Forsberg played most of his NHL career in a Colorado jersey, winning a MVP Award and two Stanley Cups during his tenure with the team.  The Avs have been suffering through something of a down year, though a logjam at the bottom half of the Western Conference standings means that they’re still alive for a playoff spot.  Only 11 points separate the Chicago Blackhawks—the #5 team in the West from the last place St. Louis Blues, meaning that eleven teams have a legitimate shot at one of four lower seed playoff spots.