The Nashville Predators have a big decision to make in the 2022 NHL free agency, and it's one that involves a top player in the form of center Filip Forsberg. The forward is set to hit the free-agent market with the six-year extension deal he signed in 2016 $36 million with the Predators about to lapse. Forsberg has already expressed his interest in staying in Nashville, but nice words don't really amount that much during this time of the year in the NHL calendar. Forsberg should command attention from different teams in need of a shot in the arm on offense, especially after he just put together his best season in the NHL, so far in his career.
3 best destinations for Filip Forsberg in 2022 NHL free agency
3. New York Islanders
New York's offense wasn't exactly the best out there during the 2021-22 NHL season. The Isles were just 20th in the league with only 2.79 goals per contest, in part because they struggled big time in controlling possessions. In fact, the Islanders were fifth-worst with a 46 CF% and just 24th in high-danger shots for percentage (46.4%) — both in 5-on-5 situations. New York usually gets by with its mediocre offense because Barry Trotz was good enough to steer this team to playoff contention with elite defensive coaching.
With Trotz gone, the Islanders are pressed to improve their attack and someone like Forsberg could be that guy to help cover the gaping hole on their offense. Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal led the Islanders last season with each coming up with only 59 points. Meanwhile, Forsberg had 84 in the 2021-22 NHL campaign with the Predators on the strength of 42 goals and 42 assists. While the offensive talent around Forsberg in Nashville was considerably better than what the Islanders had, Forsberg should be able to add height to the ceiling of New York's offense.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Among the biggest narratives this offseason for the Penguins is whether they will still have the services of veteran center Evgeni Malkin going forward. Malkin is a pending unrestricted free agent, but at 35 years old, the Penguins must not be too keen on offering him a long-term contract.
If Pittsburgh ends up losing Malkin, Forsberg can be the answer to the center depth issue that the Penguins would have in such an event. Forsberg would also inject youth into the Penguins' roster that was fourth oldest in the league last season, according to Elite Prospects. Then again, Forsberg can move around a bit and play on the wings to complement either Crosby or Malkin. In any case, he is a top-six forward who should at least be blinking on the Penguins' radar.
Whatever happens, the Penguins still have Sidney Crosby, which is a great thing for the team. But even if they managed to retain Malkin, scoring depth beyond Crosby's line could remain an issue. Forsberg is a constant threat to score 20+ goals per season and his best years could still be ahead of him. It's not difficult to imagine someone like Forsberg flourishing in an established organization like Pittsburgh.
Via Nicholas Brlansky of Sports Illustrated:
Bringing in Forsberg would give the Penguins something they haven't had since trading away Phil Kessel in 2019, a serious scoring threat on the wing for their second line.
They have brought in players like Kasperi Kapanen and Jason Zucker, who despite being talented goal scorers have not been able to find much consistency in Pittsburgh. Even Rickard Rakell struggled to find his footing in small sample size when placed alongside Evgeni Malkin.
Malkin just needs someone capable of finishing his assists in a consistent manner. Forsberg would make sure that Malkin's excellent playmaking, even at his age, won't go to waste most of the time.
Those concerned about Malkin's supposed steep decline this season should keep in mind that his 5v5 assists declined pretty much entirely because his linemates couldn't finish their chances. pic.twitter.com/RcDsjtEoWX
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 30, 2022
1. Nashville Predators
Maybe, Forsberg is really destined to be a Predator for a very long time. He's already established himself as among the cornerstones of the franchise. There are concerns about regression on his part after he recorded an 18.6 shooting percentage last season (19th overall in the NHL), but the Predators still know what Forsberg could bring to the table.
As mentioned earlier, he can be counted on to find the back of the net at least 20 times, notwithstanding the big jump in his individual production from what he posted in 2020-21 to the numbers he put up in 2021-22. According to Money Puck, two of the top three offensive lines (must have played together at least 75 minutes) that posted the best xGoals For last season featured Forsberg.
The Swedish forward's best years so far in the NHL have been with the Predators, and he could soon be the undisputed fave of Nashville with guys like Matt Duchene and Roman Josi both on the wrong side of 30.
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