Playing the Waiver Wire: Full circle for Forsberg

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Peter Forsberg! Huh???

Forsberg is surely not the Man of Steel with all the injuries he has sustained over the years, but he will try to act as Colorado's savior after signing a one-year deal with his former team Monday.

"We're proud to announce to our fans that Peter Forsberg has decided to come back and play with our franchise where he's enjoyed so much success early in his career," general manager Francois Giguere said. "His addition should complement our roster and will bring our team to an even higher competitive level."

Forsberg last played in a NHL game in April 2007, as Nashville made a first-round exit in the playoffs. His future was uncertain heading into the offseason and it became even further convoluted when he had foot surgery in July. The long recovery process began shortly after, but there was 100 percent assurance he wouldn't be ready for the start of the season.

Forbserg got back onto the ice in October when he began skating in his native Sweden. NHL teams then began to accrue interest in signing him. It wasn't until January before the feeding frenzy began. Many believed that Philadelphia, the team that traded Forsberg to Nashville last season, was the favorite to land the 11-year veteran. However, in mid-February, Forsberg's agent publicly announced his client wasn't fully recovered from lingering foot problems. Teams began to back off, but Colorado stayed interested.

"I never really wanted to believe it was over," Forsberg said. "I don't feel that old. I feel like if I can solve this, I could play for a while. I never really gave up hope."

Neither have the Avalanche. They admitted in a conference call Monday there is inherit risk by signing Forsberg, but the pro-rated $5 million deal was worth it as they keep the aging superstar away from potential playoff foes Minnesota, Chicago and Ottawa.

Forsberg hasn't played more than 70 games since the 2002-03 season. He has played just one full season in the NHL and has played less than 70 games six times. So why add Forsberg to the mix? He has 856 points in 680 career games. Ask any general manager; despite all Forsberg's baggage, when he is on the ice, he is as good as it gets.

The good news for the Avalanche and Fantasy owners is that Forsberg has a home. The bad news is that we are still clueless on when the Swedish legend will lace up the skates in an actual game.

Forsberg will give no timetable for his return. He is not expected to join the team on their five-game road trip which concludes Wednesday in Vancouver. Colorado isn't expecting him to play Saturday against the Kings, either. After Saturday, the Avalanche have just 16 regular season games left, and are still fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot. Colorado knows there is work to do and they signed Forsberg so they can make the playoffs.

Colorado is anxious to add Forsberg to their lineup. Coach Joel Quenneville mentioned in Monday's conference call that he wasn't sure of the game plan for his newly signed forward. Quenneville needs to see Forsberg in action before passing any judgments. The coach said Forsberg will see heavy minutes on the power play. However, he also alluded to the fact that he hasn't decided whether to play him with Joe Sakic or Paul Stastny. Immediately a red flag raced up signaling that Forsberg will be playing on the wing and not as his natural position -- center.

Sakic and Stastny can breathe a sigh of relief, and so can their Fantasy owners, but Wojtek Wolski needs to be on the lookout. Forsberg shoots lefty and it's likely he steals a left wing spot on one of the top two lines. It's unrealistic that Ryan Smyth will be bumped down to a third line forward, so it's Wolski -- the Avalanche's first-round pick from 2004 -- that's the odd man out. Sakic and Stastny, both back in the lineup after long injury layoffs, were already high-end Fantasy options. However, their numbers will get a nice infusion if either of them hit the Forsberg lottery.

Forsberg said he hasn't even begun to think about the 2008-09 season and just wants to focus on helping Colorado, where he is fourth on the career scoring list with 741 points in 580 career games, this season. So what can Fantasy owners expect? Here's a guy that has no problem being a point-per-game forward, but he hasn't played in a competitive arena for nearly a year. Not to mention there are still lingering doubts about him being at 100 percent and he has reached the ripe age of 34.

The 2003 MVP has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, but a potential final tour of duty could be more of a sentimental sendoff.

"I am looking forward to putting this jersey on again," Forsberg said. "I have so many great memories of my playing days in Denver. I'm excited about helping my new teammates and former teammates in the coming weeks, and hopefully I am able to do that in the very near future."

Add 'Em

Jason Williams, RW, Chicago
Owned: 34 percent of leagues
Analysis: Williams jumped back onto the ice Feb. 20 after missing three months because of a hernia. The Blackhawks limited his playing time in the first two games, but unleashed him for nearly 18 minutes Sunday against the Ducks. He played on the second line with Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews. Williams has one goal, one assist and a plus-2 rating in his last three games. He has now accounted for 21 points in 23 games. He is going to be a heavy hitter on the power play in the coming weeks and could end the season averaging a point per game.

Paul Martin, D, New Jersey
Owned: 60 percent of leagues
Analysis: Martin disappointed a lot of people in 2006-07 after having a breakout season in 2005-06. He managed a career-high 32 assists that season, only to fall back to 23 assists and 26 points the next season. Martin was having a pretty crummy season again until the calendar year hit 2008. He has managed four goals and 12 assists in his last 25 games. He is also at plus-13 in 13 February contests. Martin is currently playing alongside Colin White on the top defensive pairing for New Jersey. He is seeing time on the man advantage and is making plays. He finally feels comfortable in Brent Sutter's system.

Brandon Dubinsky, C, N.Y. Rangers
Owned: 17 percent of leagues
Analysis: Dubinsky started to make ripples in mid-January when he was posting some nice numbers down on the Rangers' third line. Well, he is now making waves centering the top line with Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery. In five games since that line was assembled, he has three goals and four assists. In his last 20 games, he has eight goals and nine assists. The rookie forward has also been a good checking presence. Scott Gomez is still the Rangers' best center, but he lacked chemistry with Jagr. Dubinsky hasn't had that problem.

Drop 'Em

Viktor Kozlov, C, Washington
Owned: 40 percent of leagues
Analysis: Kozlov had a real opportunity drop into his lap when Washington learned in January that Michael Nylander (shoulder) would miss the remainder of the season. Washington intended to use Kozlov as a center on their second line, if not the top line in the event rookie Nicklas Backstrom couldn't handle the job. Kozlov started well with six goals and six assists in nine games from Jan. 13-31. However, he has been pretty non-existent in February. He has just two goals and two assists in 11 games. The worse part of it all is that he is centering a line with Alexander Semin, who has scored in five straight games. Kozlov has one assist in that span. The fact the Capitals added Sergei Fedorov at the trade deadline doesn't help Kozlov, if he remains at center.

Avoid 'Em

Colby Armstrong, RW, Atlanta
Owned: 21 percent of leagues
Analysis: Armstrong was starting to get hot again, and this time he is doing it without Sidney Crosby (ankle), before Pittsburgh dealt him to Atlanta at the trade deadline Tuesday. Armstrong played some of his best hockey in late December and early January when he was on the top line with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Crosby went down with the ankle injury in January and Armstrong was lost offensively. He recorded just one assist and zero goals in a 13-game span from Jan. 5-Feb. 13. He now has three goals and one assist in his last six games playing on the Penguins second line. Armstrong was sent to Atlanta in a mega deal that involved Marian Hossa. Don't get any ideas. Armstrong is not the same talent as Hossa. He might play on the top two lines in Atlanta, but it's hard to envision him becoming an high-end Fantasy forward.

Derek Morris, D, Phoenix
Owned: 19 percent of leagues
Analysis: Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky keeps Morris in his top defensive pairing and usually plays him more than 21 minutes per game. He even sees plenty of time on the power play. Morris has scored two goals in his last three games, but still has just 16 points in 63 games. Morris is a solid all-around defenseman, but he is not an overly dominating offensive player and that's what matters the most in Fantasy leagues.

Watch 'Em

Ruslan Fedotenko, LW, N.Y. Islanders
Owned: 17 percent of leagues
Analysis: Fedotenko has put on a nice show in recent weeks as the trade deadline neared. The unrestricted free-agent-to-be has scored six goals in his last nine games. He had two goals in his previous 25. Fedotenko wasn't dealt at the trade deadline and will remain with New York, but still has a lot to play for since his contract is set to expire.

Loui Eriksson, LW, Dallas
Owned: 4 percent of leagues
Analysis: Stars coach Dave Tippett recently challenged Eriksson to elevate his game, and so far the second-year forward has responded. He has scored in consecutive games and has three goals in that span. The rise in production has come with a bump to the top scoring line with Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro. If Eriksson somehow stays on the top line, the point totals could be favorable down the stretch.

Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago
Owned: 46 percent of leagues
Analysis: The Blackhawks decided to lock up Seabrook for the next few seasons as they inked him to a three-year extension Feb. 18. It's now time for him to earn his keep. Chicago will be without Brent Sopel for 2-3 weeks with a wrist injury. Seabrook will now be counted on to pick up the slack. He has already responded with one goal and two assists in two games without Sopel. Let's see if the third-year defenseman can now take that step in becoming a dominant offensive weapon.

Patrick O'Sullivan, C, Los Angeles
Owned: 25 percent of leagues
Analysis: The Kings decided to stick O'Sullivan on the top line in between Michael Cammalleri and Alexander Frolov, and they have watched the second-year forward blossom. He has four goals and eight assists in the last 10 games. He has been playing pretty consistent since December, and the Kings have decided to trust O'Sullivan to play alongside two of their biggest playmakers. The only question remains: How long can he hold off Anze Kopitar?

The NHL has seen its fair share of serious injuries in 2007-08 and the trickle down effect has put a burden on Fantasy owners. Here is a list of players that are worth keeping tabs on in the coming weeks as a quick snag on the waiver wire could mean a Fantasy championship (dates are subject to change).

Rob Blake (LA): Expected to return from an ankle injury in late February-early March
Sidney Crosby (PIT): Expected to return from an ankle injury in late February-early March
Dominik Hasek (DET): Expected to return from a hip injury in late February-early March
Niklas Kronwall (DET): Expected to return from a shoulder injury in late February
Nicklas Lidstrom (DET): Expected to return from a knee injury in mid-March
Joffrey Lupul (PHI): Expected to return from an ankle injury in early March
Ladislav Nagy (LA): Expected to return from a neck injury in late February-early March
Brian Rafalski (DET): Expected to return from a groin injury in early-to-mid March
Mike Richards (PHI): Expected to return from a hamstring injury in mid-March
Sergei Zubov (DAL): Expected to return from a groin injury in mid-to-late March

Do you have a trade you'd like reviewed by our experts or do you have a Fantasy Hockey querstion? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyPucks@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Pucks in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware we do not guarantee personal responses to all questions.