Peter Forsberg reveals truth about 2007 trade: had to convince Flyers owner to release him

In one of the biggest trades of all time, Peter Forsberg left the Philadelphia Flyers for the Nashville Predators on the 15th of February 2007. In an interview with Sportexpressen, he reveals what really happened when the Flyers sent him away in exchange for Ryan Parent, Scottie Upshall, a first round pick and a third round pick that same year.

After joining the Flyers before the 2005-06 season following a contract dispute with the Avalanche, Forsberg delivered. In his first season, the dominant Swede scored 75 points in 60 games, but the second season was a struggle. Forsberg's foot injury was becoming a major issue, and the Flyers were last in the table. Because of that, Forsberg started talking to General Manager Paul Holmgren about a trade.

That, however, was not a suggestion that Flyers owner Ed Snider was particularly fond of: "No, it became a funny situation. It's usually the other way around, that the player begs to stay. So me and Holmgren had to make our argument and got called up to Snider for a discussion in his office. He explained that he didn't want to trade players he liked. I had to answer saying: 'yes, please, do it'."

Upon being questioned how they finally convinced Snider, Forsberg said: "Me and Holmgren had discussed for seven to ten days about how the only way out for the Flyers was to trade me, so they could get good compensation in the form of draft picks and players." Forsberg continued: "But I liked Snider, he had a big heart for hockey."

Forsberg only played 17 games with Nashville, scoring 15 points before going back to the Colorado Avalanche, the organization in which his career once started.

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