Niedermayer to return

[Hidious 0]

This bullshit was obviously planned from the beginning. You are Scott Niedermayer, why would you go through camp, pre-season and first half of the season like evryone else? It kind of makes me sad but i'd probably do the same thing and take it the easy way.

[mack 44]

Yeah, because this was the first year he's been recognised as an elite NHL player.

[Theo 1]

He's earned the right, but at least it is not in the same league as Mario missing most of the Pens games the Olympic season and Forsberg taking the year off and then playing in the playoffs. This guy is obviously going to have the energy and it will serve him and the team well.

As fans we are lucky to see any of these guys and while I am sure the teammates appreciate having these players back, I am sure a few are irked that they have battled through the trenches half the season while Nieds has been watching TV drinking rum and cokes, pretty much having this plan from the start.

[JR97 2]

Forsberg taking the year off and then playing in the playoffs.

I think losing a spleen earns a regular season off. Plus, given his history of injuries, the organization would have probably preferred having him 100% for the playoffs rather than having him limp in and possibly minus a kidney or something.

[Theo 1]

Forsberg taking the year off and then playing in the playoffs.

I think losing a spleen earns a regular season off. Plus, given his history of injuries, the organization would have probably preferred having him 100% for the playoffs rather than having him limp in and possibly minus a kidney or something.

He just took the easy way out to be honest. It is not like his recovery from his spleen issue lasted until early April. I understand why he took the time off, but I just see it as cheap when all other players have to go through the grind of the season. It cheats the fans out of seeing a great player through the year as well as his contributions to the team and the players on the team. Oh well though, there are worst crimes and sins like Bertuzzi and Foppa is F**ked forever unfortunately due to his chronic injuries

[chippa13 1844]

Forsberg taking the year off and then playing in the playoffs.

I think losing a spleen earns a regular season off. Plus, given his history of injuries, the organization would have probably preferred having him 100% for the playoffs rather than having him limp in and possibly minus a kidney or something.

He just took the easy way out to be honest. It is not like his recovery from his spleen issue lasted until early April. I understand why he took the time off, but I just see it as cheap when all other players have to go through the grind of the season. It cheats the fans out of seeing a great player through the year as well as his contributions to the team and the players on the team. Oh well though, there are worst crimes and sins like Bertuzzi and Foppa is F**ked forever unfortunately due to his chronic injuries

As I recall, Forsberg's ankle was junk and most of that missed season was seeing if it would finally heal enough to allow him to play up to his ability. I'd hardly call that a selfish motive and it definitely didn't cheat the team. If you were the Avs, would you rather have a 60% Forsberg who is in and out of the lineup all season or a 100% Forsberg in the playoffs? For me, that one is a no-brainer.

[Theo 1]

His ankle was bad following the season where he suffered a ruptured spleen, you say. After his spleen operation, he had a few months of pure rest during the summer. So training camp, apparently his ankle is still no good. Half way into the season, still no good. By that point in time, I am sure they starting to figure something long term was going on. Your percentages aren't really accurate because Foppa was never really 100% past that spleen/start ankle problems, as he still suffers from the ankle problem today. And I venture to say it did not have much difference in how he felt from Feb to April or so.

[chippa13 1844]

His ankle was bad following the season where he suffered a ruptured spleen, you say. After his spleen operation, he had a few months of pure rest during the summer. So training camp, apparently his ankle is still no good. Half way into the season, still no good. By that point in time, I am sure they starting to figure something long term was going on. Your percentages aren't really accurate because Foppa was never really 100% past that spleen/start ankle problems, as he still suffers from the ankle problem today. And I venture to say it did not have much difference in how he felt from Feb to April or so.

Well, actually he missed the first half of that season recovering from the ruptured spleen and then lost the rest due to his ankle.

Taken from NHL.com

Missed entire 2001-02 regular season recovering from spleen injury suffered in game vs. Los Angeles, May 9, 2001 and ankle injury suffered in practice, January 10, 2002.

But you're right. Forsberg was just plain lazy.

[chippa13 1844]

Interesting to see Anaheim giving St. Jacques a NHL contract. Makes me wonder if a Schneider deal is imminent and they are making a depth move until Neidermeyer gets in the lineup.

[mack 44]

I had figured it was to replace Huskins.

[chippa13 1844]

Wasn't aware that Huskins was on the shelf.

[gxc999 7]

I thought then and I think now Niedermayer's return was the most overhyped story the NHL had seen all season. Anaheim's big problem hasn't been a lack of scoring defenseman. You can call me biased against Niedermayer and you'd be right.

[psh 25]

But you're right. Forsberg was just plain lazy.

There's a new one. Whether Forsberg was lazy may be up for debate, but whether he is a tower of class isn't. That year he took off, he voluntary waived the top salary in the NHL. From ESPN Magazine:

"On Sept. 15, Peter Forsberg vanished. He waved off his $11 million salary, telling the Colorado Avalanche that at age 28 he didn’t have “the desire, strength and mental toughness” to compete. Of all people. Here’s a guy who led his team to a playoff series-clinching victory last May while bleeding internally. A man who landed in the emergency room hours later to have his spleen removed.

Maybe he grew weary of the swelled ankles that forced him through 46 pairs of skates in recent years. But Forsberg had played through searing pain before. Why stop now? And why would a rich man who could rest and rehab anywhere in the world go to a place some might consider hell frozen over? It is time to find Forsberg."

With sports, including hockey, becoming more and more bottom-line oriented, the way Forsberg handled the 2001 season is pretty remarkable. It's all the more remarkable when you look at how Lacroix rewarded Forsberg, Foote, Blake and others with weird, largely insulting, offers before they all left the Avs.