It feels like Forsberg's been around forever, but at 26 years old he's still got a chance to break out with career highs. For the past eight seasons, he's been a very reliable 30-30 source for the Predators, though his recent injury history is a tad worrying. His 21 goals and 48 points last season were both career lows, but the entire team disappointed and neither of its top centers lived up to the billing. He may have toyed with elite goal-scorer status in the past and he may still become one, but right now Forsberg is nothing more than a reliable goal-scorer fantasy managers can pick up in the middle rounds.
Forsberg hasn't been able to return to the 30-goal plateau since reaching it in 2016-17, but his health has been his biggest roadblock, rather than his performance. The Swedish winger had 26 goals in 67 contests two seasons ago, and followed that up with a 28-goal performance in 64 matches in 2018-19, so he's averaged a respectable 0.41 goals per game over that span. However, after two consecutive injury-plagued seasons, health has to be considered a concern heading into 2019-20. That said, if he's able to avoid sustaining a significant injury, Forsberg should reach the 30-goal, 60-point marks while firing 230-plus shots on net without issue this year.
Forsberg was far and away the Predators' best player in 2017-18, recording a career-high 0.95 points per game with 64 points in 67 contests – including 13 goals on the power play, another personal best. The prolific Swede was equally deadly in the postseason, scoring 16 points in 13 games before the Preds bowed out to the Jets in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. During the regular season, Forsberg took his consistency to the next level, as he was never held off the scoresheet for more than two consecutive games. In fact, he likely would have flirted with the 80-point mark had it not been for a combination of injuries plus a three-game suspension that caused him to miss a total of 15 contests. With last season's performance, Forsberg should now be considered among the elite scorers in the game, so make sure you draft accordingly.
After cracking the 60-point plateau in his rookie and sophomore seasons (64 and 63 points, respectively), Forsberg fell off just a bit with a 58-point campaign in 2016-17, though he did still hit 30 goals for the second straight year. However, he left his fantasy owners befuddled with a puzzling ineffectiveness on the power play, as Forsberg managed just nine points with the man advantage after totaling 42 over the prior two seasons. The good news is, Forsberg really cemented his value to the team in the playoffs last year, as the Preds went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, thanks in no small part to the Swede’s 16 points in 22 games (seventh among playoff scorers). With five years remaining on his six-year, $36 million contract, Forsberg isn't going anywhere soon, and he’s expected to reprise his top-line role for the Preds this season. At just 23 years old, the best is surely yet to come for the 2012 draft’s No. 11 overall selected. A 70-point season is well within the realm of possibility.
Forsberg showed zero signs of the dreaded sophomore slump last season, going off for 33 goals and 31 helpers. The winger played in all 82 games, a feat that increases his value for fantasy owners and the organization alike. Given his contributions on the power play – 23 points while averaging 3:08 in ice time – as well as his willingness to fire pucks at net with 247 shots on goal, the No. 11 pick in the 2012 draft has quickly become one of the higher-end players in the NHL. The Preds recognized Forsberg’s long-term value by signing him to a six-year contract worth $36 million in July – and they were wise to do so. Yes, he’s that good, and he enters his age-22 season in prime position to make magic offensively with Ryan Johansen and James Neal on Nashville’s top line.
Forsberg was a revelation for the Predators in his first full NHL season, parlaying a top-line role into a team-leading 26 goals and 63 points and earning an invite to the All-Star Game. The 6-foot-1 forward continued his success in the playoffs, scoring four goals in six games against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks. Acquired from the Capitals in April 2013 in what now looks like an absolute heist for Nashville, Forsberg has the look of a budding superstar, and could soon be a top fantasy pick for many years to come. Skating on the top power-play unit with Shea Weber and Roman Josi, there doesn't seem many potential obstacles that woud result in Forsberg taking a step backwards in his sophomore campaign. The youngster has a lethal shot and he uses it often, making another 25-goal season a reasonable expectation.
After getting his first taste of NHL action for the Preds down the stretch the previous year, the 19-year old Forsberg made the team out of training camp last year, playing in 12 of the Preds’ first 19 games. However, he soon ran into injury trouble and wound up spending most of the rest of the season in the minors. Since then, given the significant upgrades the Preds made at forward this offseason, Forsberg could very well continue to ply his trade in the AHL until the team feels he has taken the next step towards becoming an everyday contributor at the NHL level. Make no mistake, Forsberg projects as a top-six player for the Preds someday, but his time has not yet come.
Most observers thought the Preds got the better part of the deal when they acquired Forsberg from Washington for Martin Erat and Michael Latta at the trade deadline last season. The 19-year-old Forsberg was the eleventh overall pick in the 2012 draft and is expected to be a top-six forward once he arrives. Forsberg got his first taste of NHL action as the season wound down last year, playing in five of the Preds' final six games and posting a single point in the process. But prior to that, he did score 33 points in 38 games with Leksands IF in Sweden. The Preds are hoping he can one day lineup on their top line, but for now he will probably open the upcoming season at AHL Milwaukee.
The Caps made this 18-year old the No. 11 overall pick in this June's draft. A skilled, budding talent, Forsberg honed his craft in the Swedish First Division with Leskands. He'll likely play in Sweden again this season or with AHL Hershey should he sign. Regardless, he'll get a long look in training camp and the Caps will be eagerly awaiting the day he can line up alongside Nicklas Backstrom.
