http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/olympics/...1_forsberg.jpg
The Flyers have struggled when Peter Forsberg isn't on the ice.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Peter Forsberg is going to the Olympics, despite a groin injury that forced the Swedish star to miss the Philadelphia Flyers' last eight games.
"It's still not 100 percent and I'm going to rest a few more days and see how it goes," Forsberg said Monday. "It's not (certain) I'm playing over there, but they want me to come over and see if it heals up. And if it feels 100 percent this weekend, we will skate over there and get going and get ready to maybe play a couple of games. If it's not, then I'm not going to play. I'm just going to go over there and see how it goes."
Flyers chairman Ed Snider has said he would rather see his franchise player sit out the Olympics to be healthy for the playoffs. Philadelphia trails the New York Rangers by three points for first place in the Atlantic Division.
General manager Bob Clarke is hopeful Forsberg doesn't aggravate the injury in Turin.
"I think Peter knows what the results of the MRI were and he knows the risks involved," Clarke said. "Going over there is his choice and he made the decision to go. I'm concerned for every player that goes over there because obviously it's a very high level of play and I think there's a risk for everybody. In Peter's case, there's probably a little higher risk, but that's the chance you take when you play."
Forsberg has 15 goals and 47 assists for 62 points in 42 games for the Flyers. A former NHL MVP, he signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with Philadelphia after leading Colorado to two Stanley Cup championships during his nine years with the Avalanche.
With Forsberg in the lineup, the Flyers are 26-9-7. Without him, they're 7-7-2.
"They recommend rest," Forsberg said of the Flyers' medical staff's advice. "I won't skate for five days now and see how it feels. When we came back and looked at the MRI (taken Sunday), it wasn't any major thing. I talked to the specialist and it's a groin strain. Hopefully it will be healed up so I can play over there for my country."
Forsberg, one of the best players in the world, helped Sweden win a gold medal in 1994. He didn't play in the 2002 Olympics because of injuries.
