So after telling the world that he was not particularly confident in his health and ability to make an impact in the National Hockey League, reports are that Peter Forsberg has reached an agreement with the Colorado Avalanche for the remainder of the season. I’m not all that surprised he went to Colorado where he won two Stanley Cups but I was rather shocked at the signing after seeing everywhere that he would not be returning to the NHL this season.

Before everyone gets into a frenzy about the Foppa signing, let’s all take a step back to a place I like to call “Reality”. In this extra special place, we have to remind ourselves that Forsberg is seriously no longer the game-breaker he used to be. Although he was over a point-a-game in ‘05-06 and damn close last year with Philly and Nashville (he’s actually more than a point per game for his career), he was a hair away from retiring this year. When healthy, Forsberg is right up there with the best in the world but as it stands, I wouldn’t put too much stock in his comeback although kudos for at least staying away and training for the beginning of the year rather than forcing it. Good luck to Foppa on his return but to all the fantasy owners out there, don’t drop more consistent talent for him. However, if you’re a gambling man and have a bench spot to spare, take a chance. Who knows…maybe he’ll see some time with Sakic or Paul Stastny?

- The biggest name in recent trade talks, Mats Sundin, took himself off the market yesterday by refusing to waive his “no-trade” clause. Sundin has been linked to…everywhere for absurd returns like four first round picks or four former first round prospects and/or roster players. I know because the rumor was that the Vancouver Canucks were to offer something ridiculous like Ryan Kesler, Luc Bourdon, Cory Schnieder and a first round pick for the 37-year old Leafs captain. Sundin cited his desire to remain in Toronto, where he has spent the last 13 years of his career, and the fact that he does not believe in being a “rental” player.

“I cannot leave my teammates and join another NHL club at this time,” Sundin said in a statement. “I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey, but for me, in order to appreciate it, you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June. I hope everyone will understand and respect my decision.”

It’s no secret that the Leafs are looking to rebuild after another terrible year, which has them currently in 12th place in the Eastern conference and six points behind the Flyers for the last playoff spot, somewhere they haven’t been since ‘03-04. The Leafs could’ve sped up the process with the assets they would’ve received in exchange for Sundin playing somewhere else for two months but now they’ll have to look elsewhere.

Some Leafs fans are already criticizing Sundin, considering him selfish for not accepting a rental deal but like so many things out of Toronto, this is rather ridiculous. They should be thankful their captain, who is still an All-Star caliber player, is willing to stick with the team even though he could go to a contender. Loyalty should be rewarded. However, staying essentially rules Sundin out of winning a Stanley Cup as Toronto is years away from contention. Without any real prospects and a battalion of overpaid, underperforming players under contract for the next couple years, it is unlikely Mats will get his name etched on the trophy.

- Vinnie Prospal becomes the first semi-big name traded close to the deadline. He goes to the Philadephia Flyers in exchange for Alexandre Picard and a conditional pick in the ‘09 draft. The Lightning are looking to clean house after a disappointing season and new ownership coming in soon.

Prospal has been rather good with 57 points in 62 games this season and has been fairly consistent with the Bolts (although it’s hard not to be playing with talent like Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis). The move bolsters the Flyers’ lineup, which has lost ten in a row in addition to breakout star Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. It’ll be tough to replace guys like that but with so few names available, they had to go get someone.

- Dan Boyle re-signed to a six-year, $40 million dollar contract extension ($6.6m per season) with the aforementioned Lightning. He put up career highs last season with 63 points but has been on the sidelines for much of this year because of injuries. Since his return, he has been scoring at the same pace.

This move goes against the common belief that the Bolts are looking to dump salary as the team also has their three big forwards, Lecavalier, St. Louis and Brad Richards, signed to big contracts, almost $20m between those three. Tampa has a self-imposed salary cap which is lower than most other teams in the league so with over $26 million eaten up by just four players, it’s unlikely they’ll have much room to work in the off-season, where they’ll probably want to get Lecavalier extended as soon as possible before his contract is up after ‘08-09.

Boyle’s re-signing further fuels the rumors that Brad Richards is on his way out of Tampa Bay. He has been linked to Dallas (for Mike Smith and Jussi Jokinen), Vancouver (Cory Schnieder and Luc Bourdon), Chicago (Nikolai Khabibulin) and Columbus (Gilbert Brule and Fredrik Norrena). It’s believed that the Lightning are looking for a goalie and a reasonable roster player or prospect as their netminders have not been very good this season. They can’t expect too much since Richards’ contract makes him nearly untradeable and any team that takes him will be doing so to help the Bolts dump salary. So far, it looks like Dallas is the front runner as Mike Smith is probably the best option in net out of these teams. Khabibulin’s contract is almost as high as Richards’ so that trade is quite unlikely.

- Barret Jackman was re-signed by the Blues to a four-year, $14.4 million deal. He’s a solid blueliner and just entering his prime but it remains to be seen how this deal works out for the Blues. He won’t put up many points but is a physical, defensive presence.