PORTLAND – By the time the hockey season ended last April, it seemed likely that the Washington Capitals and Colin Forbes would part ways.

That expectation didn’t change during the summer. Washington tried to fill its needs with other players, looking especially at some younger faces, and Forbes began looking for openings with other clubs.

“I would say it was more of a mutual decision,” said Portland Pirates coach Tim Army. “I think that they were thinking as an organization of going in a different direction and from Forbes’ standpoint, he felt he might be able to get a better opportunity with another franchise.”

When the Pirates opened training camp Tuesday morning at the Portland Ice Arena, there was a familiar face. Forbes was back in the fold as an unsigned invitee.

“(Pirates General Manager)Shawn Simpson called my agent and asked if I wanted to come here and be on the ice,” said Forbes. “They said they wanted to sign me, but they’re not sure about the amount of contracts or who they’re going to get. I figured I’ve got to be on the ice. So if I sign here or somewhere else, I can step in right away. I’m happy they let me come here and work out with the team. We’ll see what happens from there.”

Forbes had 22 goals and 38 assists last year with Portland but was disgruntled over the fact that when the Capitals struggled and looked to make changes, they didn’t look to players in Portland. He had played 38 games with the Caps the previous year, after signing as a free agent midway through the season. Last year, he played just five games with Washington.

“I never really had a problem with Portland,” said Forbes. “I loved playing for Tim and the city of Portland and even playing for the Pirates. I was just frustrated with the way that there were so many good players here last year that weren’t getting an opportunity. That was the only frustrating thing.”

His chances may be the same in cracking Washington’s lineup this season, but certainly the situation is quite different for the 27-year old.

“I’ll talk to him about it but it is a different circumstance for Forbes right now,” said Army. Things have changed a little bit because he’s not necessarily, today, Washington property. Last year, he had finished the year in Washington the year before. He expected a little longer look. He was looking for a little bit more of an opportunity. I do think as the year progressed they were frustrated with the number of callups after Christmas. Probably that had something to do with the Caps picking people off waivers and making trades. Now for Forbes, he’s coming into camp without a team.”

Forbes had gone unsigned during the summer. Just prior to the start of camp, he got an invitation to Colorado’s camp. He knew by the end of last week that nothing would materialize there.

“I had a few teams I was talking to,” said Forbes. “Colorado called me up and wanted to know if I wanted to come in. I needed to get on the ice. I didn’t want to miss any camps anywhere. For a stacked lineup I thought they might be looking for a fourth-line guy. Craig Billington was there, and I know him really well. Everything was going to work out really well. I played really well, but it was a matter of the number of contracts and the number of players they’re looking at. That’s the story around the league.”

Portland had veterans like Mike Pudlick and former University of Maine Black Bears Brian White and Scott Pellerin coming into camp hoping to earn contracts. Pellerin was a no-show Tuesday morning but is expected to be in camp Wednesday. Army, however, was looking for another proven talent to add to the mix and Forbes fit that piece of the puzzle.

“We were talking last week about some high-end offensive people that we would like to round our team out with,” said Army. “We do need a player or two that is a very skilled player that can put up big numbers in the American League and is certainly good enough to play in the National League. I talked to Forbes (during the Caps rookie camp), and he didn’t have anything going. So we thought it would be a great avenue to pursue and see if he’d come in. So he’s come in and we’ll see how it goes over the next couple of weeks. Organizationally, they’ll make some decisions with Forbes and his representative in respect to what we’ll be able to do.”

Because the Capitals lineup is in a greater state of flux than most preseasons, it is hard to say what forwards may be slated for Portland. Army knows what he gets from Forbes. He’s a 70 to 80 point player that can play in all situations. He’d make a significant addition to the Pirates lineup if they can work out a deal.

“I think this is a unique case where we’re looking to make the team better in Portland,” said Army. “This is a decision that is more Portland-based, and it gives a player an opportunity to reestablish his game and reestablish himself as an NHL player. At this time, it’s a great fit for everybody.”