This Friday Peter Forsberg will compete in a European tournament in front of dozens of NHL scouts. Word on the street is that Foppa is as healthy as he has been in a number of years and wants to play again in the NHL. Before he was beset with chronic ankle problems, Forsberg was the best all-around player in the world. The questions scouts and fans alike want answered are:

1. Is he finally healthy?
2. To what extent have his elite-level skills eroded?
3. Where will he sign?

With respect to his health, Forsberg’s foot (hairline fracture) is completely healed and his ankle problems seem under control. How long he can remain healthy is another question entirely.

With respect to his skills, those who have watched Foppa playing for Modo say that he is vintage Forsberg. Of course, he has been playing in games with talent far inferior to that in the NHL. But even so, he seems to have lost little.

So if he is fit, fabulous and anxious to play in the NHL, where will he sign? Many believe the Flyers and Caps are the frontrunners. The Avs seemed to have turned the page and will not enter the Forsberg sweepstakes. I’m going to put my money on the Wings. Detroit has six Swedish players on its roster, including Foppa’s good friends Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Holmstrom and Nicklas Lidstrom. The Wings could use the boost Forsberg would provide, having lost Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula to injuries.

I know we’ve been down this road before--hoping that Foppa can stay healthy and play at a high level--only to be disappointed. I have a good feeling about his comeback this time. And believe me when I tell you it has nothing to do with the fact that Mike Finewax and I drafted him in our hockey pool. Honest!