It was another disappointing exit for Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators, losing in the first round for the fourth season in a row. The 27-year-old is now facing a career-defining decision as his offseason begins and free agency approaches. Forsberg will be an unrestricted free agent in July after spending his entire NHL career to this point in a Predators jersey, and didn’t give up much when he spoke to reporters yesterday about the situation:
I’ve said that since day one, the goal is to come back here. And the business side is completely different than the on-ice side, as you guys are aware of, and just kind of have to wait and see and play it out. There has been obviously some progression throughout the season from where we started in September, and me and my agent and David and Brian and the management. There’s going to be an ongoing conversation in the process, and we’ll just have to see where we end up.
You couldn’t script a better regular season to be negotiating on the back of, as Forsberg set career highs with 42 goals and 84 points, all in just 69 games. With so much of his production coming at even-strength (32 goals), there’s likely no limit to the number of teams that could insert him into a lineup and receive a huge offensive boost. With the Predators out, the countdown is on until Forsberg and his representatives get a chance to talk with the rest of the league.
After a decade in Nashville, Forsberg has always maintained that his desire is to stay with the organization that traded for him all those years ago but there have been at least some signs to point to the possibility of him leaving. Namely, the organization quickly worked out multi-year extensions with Mattias Ekholm, Mikael Granlund, and Juuse Saros last summer, deals that eat up quite a bit of cap space moving forward. With Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen, and Roman Josi also on the books for a combined $25MM per season, it’s not like there is a ton of room to fit in another huge contract.
Still, it’s hard to imagine the Predators offensive attack without Forsberg in the middle of it. He became the franchise leader in goals this season, passing David Legwand in 400 fewer games, and he sits 14th in the entire league since his rookie season. That history–especially buoyed by his exceptional 2021-22 campaign–is going to make Forsberg able to demand a substantial raise on the $6MM he has earned in each of the last six years, and a long-term deal to go with it.
Another thing to remember, and something that potentially could affect negotiations, is general manager David Poile’s aversion to giving out no-trade clauses. The only player on the Nashville roster that holds one is captain Roman Josi, and Forsberg has seen the lack of trade protection play out in recent years with the departures of Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Ellis. There’s almost no doubt that he could secure a full no-movement clause elsewhere if he decides to test the market later this summer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
What would be worse. Loosing forsberg of keeping hynes
Hello Long Island
Two months of Martin Erat.
Forsberg goes to FA and he will get a lot of $$ and a NMC
“Hi Filip… Steve Yzerman calling…”
too much term involved for Stevie
Of course I am sure that you have noticed that there are NO current playoff teams or potential playoff teams [outside of Nashville] that can afford a contract for Forsberg under their projected salary cap. I am sure he isn’t signing with Buffalo $13.9 million, Anaheim $11.9 million, Detroit $11.2 million, Columbus $10.7 million or Ottawa $10.6 million if he wants to win the cup. Best chance is to stay put…. especially with no state income tax in Tennessee [sorry Buffalo and Anaheim as you are the highest state income tax drainers]. The only way he goes is if he tells the Predators he won’t sign with them AND a team trades players with big contracts to Nashville so they can fit Fil under the cap. Be a GM will you. link to capfriendly.com
The NHL needs to institute an exemption similar to the NBA’s “Larry Bird rule” which would allow teams to keep their star players and go over the cap. Maybe limit it to up to 2 players per team, and in doing so will ensure competitiveness, player & fan loyalty. Unfortunately I dont see the NHL doing this as they don’t believe in player or fan loyalty
I like that idea.
Or, ya know, they could just stop handing out the max money+max term contracts that are killing team after team after team. What’s breaking teams isn’t the Forsbergs getting their money. What’s breaking them are handing six year deals to guys who are already 29, 30, and — who knew this was a possibility? — proceed to get old. What’s breaking them are handing star money to 2nd liners hoping that they’ll suddenly play like 1st liners. What’s breaking them are needing to get a good defenseman in a free agent market that only has two top D-men available, and handing big bucks to the fourth and fifth best guys available, whether or not they’re stars.
What’s breaking them are PREDICTABLE bad decisions.
That being said, I’m not sure what the issue is here. Forsberg’s going to (deservedly) get his $10 million or so. But Nashville can also afford it. They’ve got $25 million in cap space next year, 16 players under contract, and no other obvious big money free agents on their roster to sign.
I think we have a Eddie Felson/Minnesota Fats scenario brewing here between Poile & Forsberg…
Felson: ‘C’mon Fats, you can’t run out on me now?’
Fats: ‘You watch me…’
lol…
no more canary yellow for Mr. Forsberg… c ya!
As I’ve said before, that a deal hasn’t been reached between Forsberg and Poile in a situation where the Preds can’t afford to lose him tells me that either ownership won’t pony up the money or Poile has made some type of line in the sand that no player can make more than Josi.
Couldn’t be a better fit than the Kings if they could afford it.
Yea a rulw on home grown talent would be nice. Tye only way i see how to do ut is something like drafted players only country 75-85 % towards the cap. A 10 mil per deal is 7.5 or 8 in that situation. Those numbers night be to high but a starting point
I’d be leery of handing this guy a big contract. He’s missed 69 games the last 5 years and since putting up back to back 30 goal seasons early in his career, had a 5 year drought before his breakout 40+ goal season this year. He will be 28 in August. I wouldn’t sign him beyond 5 years. The fact he has consistently missed almost 20% of his teams games would be a red flag for me.
It rarely works out for the teams giving guys long term and loads of cash. With a couple exceptions, most players go downhill after a couple seasons or end up on LTIR. They get their cash and the team gets hosed. It’s fools gold. You think Jack Eichel is going to deliver a championship in Vegas? LOL, buyer beware !
It’s gonna be LAK