- Peter Forsberg stole the spotlight on the first day of the NHL GM meetings. And he wasn't even in Florida.
The 34-year-old Swedish star, through his agent Don Baizley, informed teams Monday that his return to the NHL this season was highly unlikely because he continues to have foot/ankle problems.
With Forsberg out of the picture, that could prove to spice things up on the trade front.
"This will break the logjam," predicted Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster.
Philadelphia, Colorado, Ottawa, Vancouver, Chicago and Minnesota were among the teams believed to be in the running for Forsberg's services but now must find help elsewhere.
"He doesn't want to hold teams up," said Senators GM Bryan Murray. "And it's better for everyone that we know now."
The NHL's 30 GMs spent Monday morning discussing official league matters. The rest of the day was open for why they're really here: trade talks.
"I think that's what you do here, you have many discussions - you hope," Murray said after the first day of meetings wrapped up at a posh hotel. "More than likely you leave here with the hope that you can continue the discussion and have it happen before the trade deadline."
The Hockey News: Headlines: Trade talks heat up as GMs gather for first of three meeting days
Trade talks heat up as GMs gather for first of three meeting days (Hockey News) 
