It’s official.

Peter Forsberg will make his season debut for the Avalanche tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The forward, who first had to finish dealing with his immigration paperwork before he could suit up for the Avalanche, will play his first NHL contest since the 2007-08 postseason.

Forsberg practiced with center Matt Duchene and right wing Milan Hejduk during Friday’s morning skate, and the trio is expected to play together tonight. Forsberg will also receive time on the Avalanche’s power-play unit.

The former Hart Trophy winner began practicing with the Avalanche on Jan. 22 in an effort to see where he was at physically. After practice on Sunday, Feb. 6, Forsberg met with Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman, and the two sides were able to agree on a contract for the remainder of the 2010-11 season.

Forsberg last played in the NHL three seasons ago, when he signed with the Avalanche at the 2008 traded deadline and went on to appear in nine regular-season games, totaling 14 points (1g/13a). The Swedish forward also played in seven playoff contests that spring, recording five points (1g/4a).

The 37-year-old helped the Avalanche win two Stanley Cup championships during his 11 seasons with the franchise. He captured the 2003 Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP after leading the league with 106 points (29g/77a) in 75 games that year. The Ornskoldsvik, Sweden native also earned the Art Ross Trophy in 2003, won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year in 1994-95, was named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team on three occasions (1997-98, 1998-99 and 2002-03) and was selected to seven NHL All-Star Games.

Tonight’s game can be seen on Altitude at 5:00 p.m. MT, with pre-game coverage starting at 4:30 p.m.