It's hard to believe that a player could be traded to another team and play in two NHL games before even participating a single practice with his new teammates. But it does happen, and Peter Forsberg is testament to that. While some fans and observers were scratching their head at Foppa's play in his debut performance - a 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on 2/17 - perhaps a reminder would be in order that not everyone can pack there things, move half-way across the country, hold a media

press conference in the morning and then anchor the top line of his new team that very night. "Sully didn't have any practice and he came in and scored a hat trick," Coach Trotz said. "It all depends on the player and it all depends on the lines. Sometimes they come in and it clicks right away."

Forsberg was held to just one shot on goal in that first game and didn't exactly give the fans a whole lot to cheer about. In all the hoopla surrounding the trade, and the high expectations from a community thirsty for more national media attention and star power, the city forgot that chemistry is often more important than the respective skill level of the various players. The Nashville Predators are in fact only as good as the sum of their parts. On the following Monday night, Forsberg demonstrated that simply spending more time just getting to know his teammates and learning who they are as people off the ice was enough to improve the chemistry somewhat.

"I barely met the guys before last game," Forsberg said. "At least I know their names (now), so it was great. They're always looking for me. We'll have two practices now and then the game against Montreal on Thursday."

In his second game with the team (Phoenix Coyotes), Forsberg was responsible for at least 8 quality scoring chances and fed Paul Kariya on two more opportunities that almost found the back of the net. Curtis Joseph made certain that Kariya didn't bury the opportunity with an outstanding diving save, but that doesn't change the fact that those chances are going to find the back of the net more times than not.

"I thought we played better as a line," Forsberg said. "We could have had one or two (goals). We had a lot of chances. We found each other better on the ice."

Barry Trotz summed it up best after the win over Phoenix.

"I just think it will take time," Trotz said. "The more time they spend together the more they will read off each other. They are always talking on the bench... The one thing I have known about Paul is that he is very thorough, and I am finding that out about Peter too, he is very thorough. Marty is just soaking in the knowledge from those two... Just give them time, they'll figure out what they need to do to be successful."

Possibly the lowest point for Forsberg since arriving in Nashville came during the final moments of his third game with the team. Against the Montreal Canadiens, the Predators pushed the game to overtime and eventually to a shootout. With Steve Sullivan out of the line-up (back spasms) it was up to try something different and perhaps get the first glimpses of Forsberg's finishing ability.

Foppa took the ice for Nashville and the crowd erupted for the newest Predator. The atmosphere was perfect for Foppa to make a mark on the town that was as huge as his heralded arrival. Unfortunately the only impact Foppa would make would be a resounding thud as he fell to the ice without getting off a shot. The game marked the third straight contest that Forsberg failed to record a point for Nashville and left Foppa still searching for his identity as a Predator.

After the game Coach Trotz commented that Forsberg wasn't enthusiastic about participating in the shootout.

"I asked him and he said that he really didn't want to go in the top three," Trotz said. "He said that the 4th spot would be fine... He just said it was something that he didn't feel real strong at."

The local Nashville paper added further fuel to the already blazing fire by running a story with the title "Foppa Flop" that detailed Forsberg's tumble to the ice and the controversy surrounding the trade begun to reach new heights.

As quickly as the bandwagon left town against Montreal, Forsberg was driving it through the front gates in the following game, a win over the Detroit Red Wings that watched Forsberg record a multi-point game including the overtime game winner.

"I think everybody was a little down on him," Coach Trotz said after the game. "A lot of people made a lot of stuff up about his shootout attempt (last game) but I thought he was terrific tonight."

Perhaps the local paper should headline an article with the title "Foppa Flop" every week...

"It was an unbelievable pass by Paul," Forsberg said. "I thought we battled. It was great to score my first goal and get my first points. Our line will play better and better."

The Predators will hit the road for their next five games which will conclude with another matchup against Detroit at the Joe Louis Arena on 3/6. Forsberg is looking forward to the opportunity to get out of Nashville with his new teammates and go through the bonding experience that only a road trip can offer.

"I'm definitely looking forward to getting on the road," Forsberg said after the Detroit game. "I've been here for a little over a week, this is a great group of guys and it's going to be great to get on the road for 10 days and get to know these guys a little better."

Barry Trotz echoed Foppa's comments after the game on Saturday.

"You can say all you want when you're at home but you don't bond as well as when you're on the road," Trotz said. "The next ten days we'll be on the road and it's a bunch of guys, sort of against the world."

It's almost scary to think of how good Forsberg and the top line might be after having a few more games and practices under their belt and begin to form chemistry.