Forsberg to waive no-trade clause, play for Canadian team?

Sportsnet’s Jim Kelley reports that Peter Forsberg wants to play in the playoffs and would prefer if it would be for a Canadian team.

For that would happen, Forsberg would first have to waive his no-trade clause – which is said he will do.

Although it’s unclear which teams, or teams, Forsberg would like to play for, Kelley takes a look at all six Canadian teams and how the Swedish forward would fit in their plans.

First up, it’s the Western Conference teams.

Vancouver could use his playmaking and leadership skills, especially to steady young forwards such as the Sedin twins.

Calgary has been searching for a No. 1 centre for several seasons now and one could argue that plugging Forsberg in to the current lineup makes them a serious threat in the West.

Edmonton would go from a playoff hopeful to a team that could eyeball the Ducks or San Jose Sharks.

While Kelley says that all three Western teams could use a player of Forsberg’s skill-level, the “better fit seems to be in the East.”

Toronto would have to make some major roster adjustments to take on Forsberg, especially being so close to the cap. Trading Darcy Tucker could make it work short term, but Mats Sundin would have to stay. Forsberg wouldn’t even consider Toronto if his longtime friend and former Team Sweden teammate wasn’t on the roster. Not only that, but the Leafs would have to be a virtual lock to make the playoffs.

Ottawa could use Forsberg as a second-line centre and a mentor to the sometimes inconsistent Jason Spezza, but the Senators really don’t have serious problems down the middle with Spezza, Mike Fisher, Mike Comrie and Dean McAmmond. Ottawa is so deep at centre they often play Spezza and Fisher on the wings just to accommodate Peter Schaefer and Chris Kelly in the middle. For cap reasons the Sens would also have to make major roster alterations and the team isn’t in a position to sell off any more talent, especially for a player whose physical woes make him something less than an every night player.

From where we sit the perfect fit is Montreal. The Canadiens are good enough to make some noise in the playoffs. They certainly have a need for Forsberg’s extraordinary playmaking skills, skills that would give them a much-feared second line threat and some physical size up the middle. And since Forsberg is a student of the game and appreciative of its rich history, the city is a good fit as well. It’s big enough and appealing enough for someone who is used to big city living and big city attractions. It’s also known that Forsberg has a great deal of respect for Montreal general manager Bob Gainey and coach Guy Carbonneau dating back to his days in Colorado when those two were in Dallas together. Colorado-Dallas provided some of the best playoff matches out of the West while Forsberg was in Denver and the respect was mutual on both sides.

In the end, Kelley concludes that Forsberg’s choice comes down to two teams: the Maple Leafs or the Canadiens.

Should Sundin give his blessing on such a move and the Leafs are in a playoff spot, it could be the Leafs where Forsberg ends up. Otherwise, he may choose to go to Montreal where a longer playoff drive may be in the cards.