After a memorable sophomore season, Nashville has locked down its top offensive threat up front in Filip Forsberg.
Filip Forsberg re-signs with the @PredsNHL for six years and $36 million, so a $6 mil AAV for a good player who should be getting better.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 27, 2016
Forsberg’s entry-level contract he originally signed with the Capitals in 2012 had a slide in the first year and lasted three seasons with Nashville. His new contract will pay him $6 million per season for the next six seasons.
Filip Forsberg Signs Six-Year Extension With Predators
Turning 22 in August, the Leksands alum has been tremendous in his first two seasons. Earning a Calder Trophy nomination in 2014-15 when he scored 26 goals and 63 points, he followed that up with his first 30-goal season tallying 33 markers and 64 points. Forsberg saved his best for last in 2015-16, scoring 19 goals in the final 32 contests. After four goals in a six game series loss to the Blackhawks last season, the Milwaukee Admirals graduate was a little snakebitten this spring, scoring two goals in 14 games as the Preds failed to make it to the Conference Final again, something they haven’t done in their history.
He finished second on the team in shots on goal for the second straight year with 247, 22nd overall in the League. With that much rubber coming at the twine, Forsberg’s possession numbers followed suit, coming in at a sparkling 56.2% CF%. Durability has not been an issue, as he’s suited up for all 82 his first two years in the League.
Filip Forsberg’s extension doesn’t include any no-trade protection in the eligible years.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 27, 2016
Drafted 11th overall by the Capitals in 2012, the Ostervala, Sweden native was the centerpiece of a deal that looks unbelievably lopsided today. On trade deadline day, April 3rd, 2013, Michael Latta and Martin Erat went to the Caps, and the then-17-year old Forsberg that is coming off his first 30-goal season at 21 years old went back to Nashville. Erat never had a 30-goal season in the NHL and is now in the KHL with Omsk. Michael Latta has put up 17 points in 113 NHL games.
With him and the team now comfortable for the next six years, the sky may be the limit for the Swedish sniper. Nashville has been known to get much of its offense from the back end with Shea Weber, Roman Josi, and Ryan Ellis all posting double digit goal totals. Surrounding Forsberg with more offensive firepower could be a focus going forward, as besides him and James Neal, the team had one other 20-goal scorer up front in Craig Smith and one other 50-point getter in Mike Ribeiro. The drop off is tremendous as the next highest forward had 37 points this past season.
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