Forsberg, The Choice of a New Generation

I sincerely hope Peter Forsberg has kept open eyes and ears during his 11-year career.

He is now the fifteenth captain in Flyers history, and will have to exert that much more energy to become the ultimate team leader - the man who is the best player on the ice AND the go-to guy with the coaches, players, and officials.

Yesterday, in the Daily News, Rich Hofmann, while a great writer and veteran of the Philly sports scene, can't be confused with Al Morganti in terms of knowing the essence of the sport, said Forsberg's selection "just makes too much sense, unless he doesn't want it."

A couple things to mull here: First, how can anything logically make "too much sense," and why would Forsberg, who has spent all of 66 games in a Flyer uniform, be the best choice? And why would Hofmann frame the question in such a way as to imply Forsberg would be ducking responsibility which may not even fit him in the first place?

OK, we're done with Derian Hatcher. Mike Richards is too young. Simon Gagne turned it down last year, and enjoyed the kind of adulation Forsberg enjoyed in Colorado while Joe Sakic took the heat. Usually a typically reserved Finn, Sami Kapanen (10 years service, 2 1/2 with Philly) even gushed that be honored to have it offered to him. That leaves Mike Knuble, who, like Forsberg, has played only one season here. But, but...he has played for Detroit, the Rangers, and Boston before coming here, so he's seen how guys like Yzerman, Gretzky, Guerin and Thornton take control. Plus, Knuble has built a reputation not unlike John LeClair - tough but skilled, a guy you'd grapple with but give enough respect not to fight. Remember, the captain usually isn't the best or most skilled player on the team - just someone who can balance the load of on-and-off ice responsibilities adeptly.

I'm not sure Forsberg is that guy. And if you are certain, you're either one of his last remaining fans in Denver, a non-beat Daily News guy, or looking at the Flyers through orange-tinted glasses.

Foppa had ample time to soak in the glamour of two Cup rings. His reputation was that of the player with the most promise, potential, then the most concrete ability among all the players who suited up for the Quebec/Colorado franchise since the days of the Stastny brothers. As a member of Team Sweden, he became a God-like figure with his Gold-medal winning shootout goal in 1994, then again this year as the Tre Kronor won in Torino. It's worth noting, that there was no letter sewn onto his jersey during those championships.

So, with this move, Bob Clarke and Ken Hitchcock have boosted Peter's job description from "best player in NHL who will be major piece in Stanley Cup puzzle," to "best player in NHL who not only has to prove he's durable, but also that his skill can lead the Flyers to the Cup, and also be the man who acts as the bridge between coach and player, responsible for the attitude of the team at all times." Also worth mentioning is, nobody stops to ask if HE wants the challenge, or is ready to accept it, as they strut and fret over the implications of Gagne's outright refusal and Hatcher's absolute failure.

Only two captains in team history have fallen under the mantel of "best player as captain." One has two Cup rings, is in the Hall of Fame, and has a job for life with the organization. The other is trying to reclaim the shards of a shattered career in a Northeastern Texas metroplex.

Getting to the heart of the issue means asking the right questions:

Why were the Flyers so quick to install Forsberg as the chosen?

Who else can fit the bill equally as good, or better than our fragile superhero?

Will Peter lose anything in the exchange with the captaincy?

Is it fair, or even right to ask another top-flight talent to lead so soon after the melodrama of the last one?