True, but Forsberg was a Lindros lite as well. Think about it he had nagging injuries that basically ended his career,and had overprotective parents(In 01-02 his parents begged him to stay home because of the 9/11 attacks) too 1 of whom who was a well regarded coach in Sweden, I thick Clarke would have had the same problems with the Forsbergs as well. Also think about it another way. In Colorado he was always the 2nd line center behind Sakic which means maybe he wasn't always drawing the other teams top d pair and you also have to realize the amount of leadership and experience on those late 90s early 00s AVS teams was through the roof. It really took the responsibility off of him. In Philly he would have been the number 1 guy and when his skill shoed they would have given him the C and the responsibility, something he never had anywhere else. Also his father Kent was a well regarded coach in Sweden, imagine of Clarke hires him, but fires him if things go south, what does Peter do afterwards. Also as I previously alluded to if his parents make him stay home in 01-02 guaranteed Clarke suspends him and his ending as a Flyer is just like Eric's. Basically regardless of either player Clarke was the problem here.
I'm sorry, but I respectfully disagree with some of this.
I don't think Forsberg would ever bail on the Flyers and go home because he parents got worried on 9/11. I'm sure there were many people from other countries, and their families, that were nervous and considered going home. I don't recall one player leaving the NHL to return to their country, and I'm sure many of them had families suggesting it might be best to do so... that's human nature. Forsberg was a big boy. I have zero reason to believe he would let his parents run his life and influence his career in a negative way.
Also, I think there is zero chance that Clarke hires Forsberg's dad as coach. Clarke's biggest problem with Carl and Bonnie was that they let their personal feelings infringe into the Flyers locker room. Contract disputes, conversations, handling of the medical staff, etc. all became personal with the Lindros family because their tentacles extended into the team. The Flyers were also a tight family, fraternity of sorts. There's no way they bring in a Swedish coach just because he's the father of their star player. If anything, that would be the last reason Clarke would want that. I don't think Forsberg would want that either, quite frankly. That makes for a ton of potential problems.
As for Forsberg's impact on the Flyers, if the Lindros trade never happened... I think we should consider:
1. The Flyers have always had success with good Swedish players. Lindbergh, Eriksson, Eklund, Renberg, Johnsson, etc. Forsberg would have been no different, he would have been a beloved Flyer. His style of play was perfect for Philly. "Old Forsberg" was loved in Philly - he was also still great, and that was towards the end of his career. I can only imagine how loved he would have been in his prime... skilled, tough, quiet, leadership, gutsy, brave, physical, loaded with character and a penchant for raising his game at the most important time. Danny Briere was a very popular Flyer because he was lights out in the playoffs, and Forsberg's personality, character and quiet toughness reminds me of the most popular Phillie, Chase Utley. Yeah, Philly would have fell in love with Foppa... and if he played his entire career in Philly, he would have been the 2nd or 3rd beloved Flyer of all-time behind Clarke and Parent IMO. Even ahead of Barber, Howe, Propp, MacLeish, Poulin, Giroux, etc. If he wins a Cup with the Flyers, he's number 2 behind Clarke IMO.
2. Ed Snider was destined to add "names" to help sell out his new building. The Flyers also spent a ton of money and were willing to pay anything to acquire players in a non-cap world. There's no doubt in my mind, that if the Lindros deal fell through, the Flyers were going shopping for the next year or two, with the intent of bringing in a couple of big fish, via free agency at the very least. Point being, Forsberg would have been surrounded by some help soon. Even in the meantime, he would have had Recchi, Brind'Amour, Ricci, Dineen, Renberg, Simon, Fedyk, Duchene, Galley, Huffman, Yushkevich, Hextall, to help the transition. I think Ricci's presence in Philly could be being overlooked a bit. In Quebec/Colorado he was a 3rd line center because of Sakic/Sundin and Sakic/Forsberg. In Philly, he is a 2nd line center, at least for the interim, scores a few more points and becomes part of the leadership group. When Forsberg comes over, he's probably close to stepping onto a line with Recchi and Rendberg, while Ricci is centering Brind'Amour and someone else. That's not awful. And, this is without the Flyers snagging an impact player or two. Point being, without the Lindros trade, the Flyers were going to do something to improve the team heading into the CoreStates Center.