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Forsberg out Sensational Swede to miss All-Star Game with concussion
Posted: Thursday February 03, 2000 10:15 AM
DENVER (Ticker) -- Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg, who missed the first two months of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery in late June, has been forced out of Sunday's All-Star Game in Toronto with a concussion. Forsberg suffered a mild concussion and cut above his right eye in the second period of Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Vancouver after being checked into the end boards by Canucks left wing Todd Bertuzzi. Considered by many to be the best two-way player in the game, the Swedish superstar will be sidelined indefinitely. Bertuzzi was given a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. "We can't afford to lose a player like Peter with a blow to the head," Colorado coach Bob Hartley. "Not only do we lose a great player, but so does the NHL. I am sure right now we could use Peter in the next couple of games, but we will have to find another way to win." Since returning to the lineup, Forsberg has recorded 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 28 games. In his first game back, he registered two goals and three assists in a 7-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 27. Forsberg, who led Colorado in scoring last season with 97 points, was named to the World All-Star squad as a reserve after finishing second in the voting for starting center behind countryman Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Forsberg aggravated his ailing shoulder in Game Four of last season's Western Conference finals against Dallas on a hit by Stars defenseman Richard Matvichuk. The 26-year-old Swede was fifth in the NHL in scoring last season with 30 goals and 67 assists in 78 games. While he possessed prodigious skills at both ends of the ice, he also has a mean streak, as evidenced by his 108 penalty minutes. Forsberg also led all playoff scorers with 24 points on eight goals and 16 assists in 19 games. On April 13, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract, avoiding free agency and making him the NHL's highest-paid player in terms of average salary. Forsberg will be paid $9 million this season, $10 million in 2000-01 and $11 million in 2001-02. The 6-foot, 190-pounder won the 1995 Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie and helped the Avalanche capture the Stanley Cup the following season, their first in Colorado.
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