Forberg deal means big moves elsewhere in West

Memo to Nashville:

	With the Oilers plunging from buyers to sellers, Ryan Smyth could soon be available to a Western contender such as Anaheim. Dave Sandford/Getty Images
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Postpone the parade planning. Cut back on the confetti. Hold off on putting that champagne on ice.

In other words, tap the brakes a bit.

The mega deal that brought Peter Forsberg to the Music City last week certainly solidified the Predators' status as an unwelcome playoff opponent and a very serious contender for the Stanley Cup. But they haven't won anything yet. And the reality is that it's still too early to tell if they're the favorites to come out of the West, let alone win it all.

You can't blame them for their excitement. It's a deal that can pay dividends on and off the ice, where the team appears to be making inroads with the local business community. Forsberg was the high card in the deadline deck. He has the potential to be a difference-maker, as evidenced by the 17 points he scored in his last 13 games with the hapless Flyers. If he can be that guy, this deal could tip the balance of power in Nashville's favor.

But Forsberg is also someone who could spend the spring on injured reserve, as demonstrated by the ankle problems that sidelined him for 20 games this season. Even if he remains healthy, there's no guarantee he'll find his comfort zone in Nashville. Ray Bourque was a better player after he was dealt to a contending Colorado team in 2000, and they still fizzled in the postseason, not winning the Cup until the following season. The same could happen here.

And not to toss another wet blanket or anything, but Forsberg's arrival doesn't mean all the pieces are in place. If anything, the deal triggers a new round in the Western Conference arms race that's already seen Calgary and Dallas bulk up. And that means we haven't yet seen the final lineup that such teams as Detroit, San Jose and Anaheim will ice come March.

The Wings have made no secret of their desire to add a physical forward to upgrade their top six. With Dominik Hasek back, Detroit's goaltending matches up with any team in the West. Their blueline is deep and experienced. And in Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, they possess the most potent scoring line in the West. Adding Keith Tkachuk or Bill Guerin to the second unit would keep them on pace with the Preds.

The Sharks are a talented club, but they've looked largely directionless in winning just three of their last 10. The track record of GM Doug Wilson suggests a move to impact both the blueline and scoring can be expected. Sheldon Souray's rumored to be heading their way, but his adventurous play in his own zone likely makes him Plan B behind acquiring a pair of more dependable, albeit lower-end, players. That may not be glamorous, but the Sharks learned a lot about themselves in the 2006 playoffs. Minor moves may be all they need.