Heading into the season, many believed that Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg, a pending UFA, would be one of the most coveted players on the in-season trade market. The 27-year-old winger was coming off a season where he battled injuries but still managed to post 12 goals and 32 points in 39 games, leading the Predators to a hard-fought six-game series loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. It was believed by many observers that Nashville’s downward trajectory as a team since their 2017-2018 President’s Trophy win, combined with Forsberg’s age and bouts with inconsistency would keep him from getting a long-term deal in Nashville.
But the play of the Predators so far this season has corrected those preseason observers. John Hynes’ squad is 30-18-4 and has a firm grip on the Western Conference’s first wild-card spot. With his team in the playoff hunt and Forsberg surging to 26 goals and 44 points in 39 games Predators GM David Poile now has to navigate a difficult situation with his star winger.
It was reported earlier by Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest that Poile had begun “actively shopping” Forsberg in advance of the trade deadline, and that is certainly one approach he could take with the player. He could also choose to re-sign Forsberg, and in Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts blog he sheds light on that possibility. Friedman writes that he believes there exists a “will” for both sides to reach an agreement on a contract, and that such a contract’s cap hit would likely need to fall between the cap hits of Forsberg’s Predators teammates Matt Duchene and Roman Josi. ($8MM and $9.059MM, respectively.)
While he states his belief that the Predators’ priority is to re-sign Forsberg, Friedman also notes that Poile’s “preference” is to not keep Forsberg beyond the March 21st trade deadline without a long-term contract. Friedman states that it “won’t happen” if progress on a long-term deal isn’t made, which should intrigue onlooking rival teams. Given Forsberg’s form this season and the chronic scarcity of wingers who can drive play at the NHL level, Predators fans should expect a significant return in exchange for Forsberg should the contract negotiations deteriorate to a point where a trade becomes necessary. They should definitely expect a bit more than Martin Erat and Michael Latta, that’s for sure.
Photo Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Shame they wasted all of Forsberg’s cap space on that DOG Matt Duchene.
I’m sure someone will try to defend that horrible contract by pointing out that he’s kinda sorta maybe starting to earn his salary in the third or fourth year of the deal and thus prove the opposite.
it didnt feel like a terrible deal to me at the time, but i certainly wouldnt defend it in hindsight, that’s for sure.
Matt Duchene: 23G 23A 48GP
Not exactly DOG numbers. Not worth 8M a season, but you could do worse.
“I’m sure someone will try to defend that horrible contract by pointing out that he’s kinda sorta maybe starting to earn his salary in the third or fourth year of the deal and thus prove the opposite.”
13 points in 42 games the year before.
42 in 66 the year before that.
Point a game talent. Wanna be country music star production. Terrible contract. DOG of a player.
Dog sh%#
There’s a long list of players making big $$$ who once their numbers start to plummet never regain their form. Duchene at least deserves credit for bouncing back.
You have alot of hate in your heart. You should address that issue.
The truth often sounds like hate to those who aren’t willing to hear it.
The truth according to Josh.
Worst case scenario they lose him… could Nashville maybe talk with Calgary on a Tkachuk Forsberg swap?
I can’t see Calgary moving a pending RFA for a UFA unless they’re getting a lot more in return. I’d also argue Tkachuk is more valuable than Forsberg anyways.
Luckily the re-emergence of Duchene and Johansen would make a move a little easier considering they still would have a decent shot at the playoffs. Obviously it would be a kick in the gut to the fans, but they really don’t have much of a chance if they make it barring a Saros MVP performance. It wouldn’t be the worst business decision with a fairly weak farm, replenishing it now could allow those young pieces to be added to their core of Josi, Ekholm, Duchene, and Johansen while they are still productive.
Next year he is in Detroit. You heard it here first.
I say he stays.
What team needs him enough (AND can fit him under their cap) to pay what Nashville would need to trade him?
These rumors are likely floated by Poile to get his signature on the paper.
LAK have entered the chat