With the Nashville Predators coming into this season actively expected to require a rebuild, they were not expected to be any good. However, the Predators team has emerged as one of the better units in the Western Conference. Currently, in a playoff spot at the time of writing this, it explains why it’s so confusing to me that the Nashville organization is actively looking to sell off their best player.
Hearing the #Preds are actively shopping superstar Filip Forsberg.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) February 24, 2022
Making $6 million against the cap this year, Filip Forsberg becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. It’s unlikely that he will be extended with the team he’s on, regardless of if that is Nashville or not. He’s going to be a valued commodity. As someone actively being shopped, Forsberg is going to attract interest from all the other 31 teams in the league.
At the time of writing this, the Swedish winger has recorded 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points in 38 games. He’s in the midst of a career year with the Predators and his price is also at an all-time high, which might explain why the Predators are expressing desires of moving on from the player that they stole from the Washington Capitals all those years ago.
Forsberg would fill the Canes’ need for another top-six winger. As a right-shooting winger, Forsberg usually plays on the left, which would allow him to play in the void left when the SAT line is thrown together up top. A possible Forsberg deal would not only strengthen the Canes forward core and give them another scoring threat on the backend, but it would make the team a genuine threat with both of its top-six lines.
Now, even as a rental, Forsberg is not likely to be cheap. I’d have to imagine we’re looking at several of the Hurricanes’ better prospects and the 2023 first-round pick. In reality, there’s no way a deal works without retention but it’s fun to think about. Could you imagine Filip Forsberg on the Canes’ second line? There would not be a lot of teams capable of keeping the Canes offense quiet.
At the time I am writing this, what the Nashville Predators want in exchange for the services of their Swedish winger is still unknown. It could very much start with one of the Canes’ young roster players, in which case I imagine it gets shut down right away. However, if the ask is just draft picks and prospects, I have to imagine this is something the Hurricanes will explore because there is no reason not to.