VOORHEES, N.J. -- Peter Forsberg's return to the
Philadelphia Flyers' lineup is on hold and the star center's status
for the Olympics remains uncertain.
Forsberg, the Flyers' leading scorer, left practice early on
Tuesday because of tightness in his injured left groin. The former
NHL MVP was hoping to play against the New York Islanders on
Wednesday after missing the last five games and seven of the
previous nine.
"It's a little step back," Forsberg said. "I didn't want to
stay out there and re-injure it. It was getting worse during
practice and I didn't want to take any chances. It's very
frustrating. It's bad timing."
Forsberg still is hoping to lead Sweden in the Olympics at
Turin. He has missed 13 games because of nagging groin injuries in
his first season with Philadelphia.
Flyers chairman Ed Snider said last week he'd rather see his
franchise player sit out the Olympics to be healthy for the
playoffs. Struggling Philadelphia has won just four of its last 14
games after a 9-0-2 stretch and trails the New York Rangers by one
point for first place in the Atlantic Division.
"We'll see how it feels by Friday," Forsberg said. "It's a
hard decision to say no. I'm not going to rush to anything."
Forsberg has 15 goals and 47 assists for 62 points in 42 games
for the Flyers. He signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with
Philadelphia after leading Colorado to two Stanley Cup
championships during his nine years with the Avalanche.
The Flyers have been decimated by injuries this season. Former
captain Keith Primeau may decide soon whether to sit out the rest
of the season because of a concussion that sidelined him in
October. Defenseman Eric Desjardins has missed 37 games because of
a concussion and a shoulder injury.
Defenseman Joni Pitkanen, goaltender Robert Esche and forwards
Sami Kapanen and Turner Stevenson each have missed at least 20
games with various injuries.
Desjardins practiced again Tuesday and could return against the
Islanders. Center Petr Nedved (groin) also might play Wednesday
night. Defensemen Kim Johnsson (concussion symptoms), Mike Rathje
(groin) and Chris Therien (head) and forward Branko Radivojevic
(ankle) remain out.
"We had nine first-year players against Montreal," coach Ken
Hitchcock said of a 5-0 loss to the Canadiens on Sunday. "We
practiced with 15 players today. Everybody knows our situation.
We're limping. Still, we're only one point out of first place."