Peter Forsberg Announces Retirement, Did He Try Long Enough?

Peter Forsberg's comeback attempt is over.

Forsberg announced his retirement at a press conference earlier today. After just two games with the Colorado Avalanche, Forsberg obviously felt too much pressure on his oft-injured foot and realized that he simply could not perform at a high level in the NHL.

Forsberg is clearly destined for the Hall of Fame, notching 249 goals and 636 career assists in 708 games in the NHL with the Avs, Predators and Flyers.

He has Olympic medals and two Stanley Cups. He is one of the greatest European players in NHL history and he will certainly be missed.

My question is, after just two games back in the NHL, did he really give it a fair shot?

Forsberg has shown he can still play hockey at a high level. As recent as last season, during the Winter Olympics, "Foppa" was very effective for Team Sweden and he played some fantastic hockey for MoDo of the Swedish Elite League.

Any player who has not played in the NHL for a long period of time will go through an initial adjustment period, no matter how good that player might be. And I don't think Peter Forsberg, as good as he was, should be an exception to that rule.

Let me just be clear: I'm not criticizing his decision to retire—he's earned it and it's his life, his choice. I absolutely respect what he's doing.

I'm just curious to know if he will regret making this decision after just two games back in the NHL. It seems a bit too early. I still think he would have been a very effective player for the Avalanche this season, if he stuck around a little longer.

Not to mention, he would likely have had an opportunity to play some playoff hockey with this team and provide some invaluable experience to the Avs' younger core of players.

It's going to be sad to see Peter Forsberg go—he's been an unbelievable hockey player throughout his entire career and he will be missed.