Forsberg Prospers

The Colorado Avalanche signed Peter Forsberg to a three-year contract worth up to $12.3 million, avoiding a possible bidding war for the all-star center.

Forsberg, 23, was due to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Other teams likely would have attempted to sign Forsberg, the 1995 National Hockey League Rookie of the Year, forcing the Avalanche to match any offer to keep him in Colorado.