The stories of Naslund and Forsberg wanting to play together have been going on for years, as they grew up together in Ornskoldsvik Sweden. Naslund is only 10 days older than Foppa. The 2 played well together for Modo and various world championships ever since. Nonis tried different centers for Naslund all of last season, even putting him with the Twins. The Smolinski experiment failed. Naslund no longer clicks well with Morrison.
So would it be worth the risk of signing Forsberg to a 1-year deal, as Naslund has one year left on his contract and may retire afterwards? Are Forsberg's injury problems enough to scare Nonis and every other GM away?
I am torn on the matter. We are stuck with Naslund until next summer. He has not put up the same numbers since Bertuzzi left. You know for a fact that the 2 would click well together.
Rumor has it that Forsberg won't be available until 2 months into the season. So? The Canucks could be competitive in his absence even with the current roster.
I know I'm kicking a dead horse here, but if Forsberg took a cut from his $5 million plus contract and incentives were tacked on (if possible) wouldn't now be the right time to make it happen? Or should we write off Forsberg because of his injuries and go the trade route to find Naslund a decent centerman? Would the acquisition of Forsberg ruin the team's chemistry? Does Forsberg have 1 more 60 game season and extended playoff run left in him?
Can we depend on Naslund and the Sedins stepping it up next postseason to give the Nucks a better chance at winning? Is a higher-profile player needed to add to the current mix?
The time for this team to push for Lord Stanley is NOW.
PS: And yes, Nonis would have to clear a bit of cap space to get Forsberg.
Discuss your opinion(s).
T Tags: Canucks Forsberg Naslund Nonis
Getting Forsberg would be more of a Burke move than a Nonis move, I don't know if it's gonna happern. But yeah, it would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteIf Forsberg were added, it would make Morrison totally expendable. I would think that the best solution (if you consider Forsberg the best solution) would be a two-step process:
ReplyDelete1.negotiate a deal in principle with F now, without signing and running into cap issues. (Forsberg might be amenable to this idea, as it would give him stability without being committed before knowing how the healing process works out).
2a. in late November you try to move Morrison to one of the teams that will inevitably become disenchanted with some promising youngster, leading them to aquire a more dependable centre.
2b. insert Foppa into the newly generated cap space.
I think, ultimately, that having Forsberg around would be a good risk for this season. I figure this year is the one where we have a shot if we gamble, whereas next year is the one where we should be expecting a *serious* push. Nonis should NOT do anything this year that will hamstring him for next.
It will make Morrison expendible no doubt. But weren't we trying to rid ourselves of Ohlund if he'd waive his no-trade clause?
ReplyDeleteMorrison would make a decent expensive 3rd line center.
Forsberg and Naslund would have been a great duo 5 years ago - now it would be a very expensive move for 2 players whose best years are LONG behind them.
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to complete this line I hear Lindros might be interested in playing with these two:)
My advice would be forget Forsberg, get rid of Naslund while some teams may still think he is of some value and keep Morrison!
Naslund has no desire to play anywhere else. He is probably going to retire after his contract expires next season. He hinted at that before.
ReplyDeleteThey both are 34 years old. They have a bit left in the tank still!
They still have potential to be good yes; but Forsberg is injury prone and Naslund seemed to have lost a step or 5 last season.
ReplyDeleteAll we need is 50-60 games out of Forsberg plus a playoff run, and that would double Naslund's production. Problem solved!
ReplyDeleteZanstorm: you make it seem so simple.
ReplyDeleteIf only it were that easy and us as fans got what we wanted:)