Colorado Avalanche Mount Rushmore of Centers

3.) Peter Forsberg

Usually when an Avalanche fan thinks of Joe Sakic, they also think of Peter Forsberg.  Forsberg and Sakic were a tandem duo and helped Colorado win their first two cups as an organization. The 6’0”, 205 lb Swede was drafted in 1991 by the Philadelphia Flyers, sixth overall, and traded to the Quebec Nordiques as part of the Eric Lindros deal and debuted in the NHL in 1995.

Forsberg, like Sakic, had a fantastic career while wearing the burgundy and black, a career that was unfortunately cut short due to injury. He’s also a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was a member of the All-Rookie team, won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, was a three-time All Star like Sakic, won the 2002-03 Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top point getter, and won the 2002-03 Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.

He’s a member of the 100 greatest players in NHL history list that was named in 2017-18 and was voted into the IIHF hockey hall of fame in 2013, and into the hockey hall of fame in 2014.

Forsberg had his best statistical seasons when the team won their first Stanley Cup, which likely is not an anomaly. In 1995-96 Forsberg played all 82 games, scoring 30 goals and adding 86 assists for a whopping 116 points! He continued his stellar play during that season’s playoffs, scoring 21 points in 22 games. During the Avs next Cup run, Forsberg was again excellent. In 2000-01, Forsberg played in only 73 games, but totaled 89 points, with 27 goals and 62 assists. As Forsberg got injured during the playoffs, he played only 11 games, but finished with 14 points. Without Forsberg’s contributions, the team likely wouldn’t have advanced to the later rounds.

Forsberg, like Sakic, is firmly planted on Mount Rushmore.