Forsberg could be ready for season

The outlook for the Philadelphia Flyers forward is very good.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHILADELPHIA -- Peter Forsberg doesn't need surgery on his left ankle and could be ready for the start of the NHL season, more than four months earlier than the Philadelphia Flyers forward was expected to return.
Forsberg met with a doctor in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday who told him the damage to the left ankle was minimal and would not need to be corrected. The center's right ankle was operated on two months ago.
"We're going to hold on the second surgery at this time," Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin said Tuesday. "We're going to rehab Peter's left ankle. That rehab will start tomorrow."
McCrossin said Forsberg can begin skating Sept. 1.
In mid-May, Forsberg had torn ligaments repaired and several bones realigned in his right ankle during a three-hour operation. He was scheduled to have the same procedure on his left ankle when the right one healed, and was expected to be sidelined until about January.
Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets re-signed defenseman Ron Hainsey to a two-year deal. Hainsey, 25, was picked off waivers from Montreal in November, and played 55 games for Columbus this past season. He had two goals and 15 assists.
Panthers
Florida agreed to terms on a one-year deal with forward Nathan Horton. Last season, Horton posted career highs in games played (71), goals (28), assists (19), points (47) and penalty minutes (89). At 20 years old, the center became the youngest Panthers player to record a hat trick when he scored three goals on Dec. 13 against Nashville.
Red Wings
The Red Wings re-signed defenseman Brett Lebda to a four-year contract. Lebda, 24, split time between the Red Wings and their American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids in the 2005-06 season. He played 46 games with Detroit last season and had 12 points.
Islanders
The Islanders signed veteran winger Chris Simon to a one-year, $1 million contract. Simon had eight goals and 14 assists in 72 games with the Calgary Flames last season.
Sabres
Defenseman Brian Campbell avoided arbitration and agreed to terms on a two-year, $3 million contract with Buffalo. Campbell will make $1.25 million next season and $1.75 million the following year, the deal representing a significant raise over his $459,800 salary last season.
Bruins
General manager Peter Chiarelli made his first roster move in his new job, signing Boston College left wing and Hobey Baker finalist Chris Collins. The 22-year-old Collins led Hockey East in scoring and tied with Minnesota's Ryan Potulny in the national scoring race with 63 points (34 goals and 29 assists).
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.