Report: Avs legend Forsberg slams Duchene on Swedish TV

According to a translated report from Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, Colorado Avalanche legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg isn’t too pleased with the team’s handling of disgruntled star Matt Duchene. Except, contrary to most people in the game, Forsberg believes the problem lies with Duchene, not with the Avs or general manager Joe Sakic.

The man they call “Foppa” back in his native Sweden didn’t mince words when describing the situation: 

 “Put him in the stands. If I were playing with a player that I know doesn’t even want to be in the team, it’s not like he is going to throw himself on the ice and block shots with his head. It is mostly difficult to have a player like that in the team, although he is skillful and is doing his best. I would rather play with someone that wants to be there. I would put him on the bench and trade him.”

Wow. It’s interesting to hear the veteran’s take on the matter, especially since he has such an intimate knowledge of how the Avs management group works. Clearly Forsberg is a big believer in team chemistry and the personality dynamics that can make a team successful or not, saying that the situation “takes energy from the rest of the team. I would trade him.”

What do you think? Is Forsberg bang on with his assessment? Or is he out to lunch?