Predators’ Filip Forsberg on playing with Nyquist, O’Reilly: ‘We developed fantastic chemistry from Day 1’

This story appeared on hockeysverige.se this week and has been translated from Swedish to English.

The Nashville Predators have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NHL this season.

The team is currently holding on to a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, a scenario few experts had anticipated at the start of the season. After getting rid of veterans like Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene in the off-season, as well as bringing in Barry Trotz as the team’s second GM ever, many thought this would be a year where the Preds took a step back to get younger and reload.

But the acquisition of two key veterans last summer have given the team a jolt. Ryan O’Reilly’s ability to help the team with his leadership skills and two-way acumen was evident from the get-go.

But it might be more surprising that 34-year-old Gustav Nyquist has been an integral part of the team’s success.

Currently in his 12th NHL season, the Swedish winger is just three points shy of beating his record for points in the NHL. In 2018-19, he amassed 60 points over 81 games with the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks. Now, he has 58 in 67 games. 

Nyquist, who went the college route before signing with the Red Wings in 2011, has been a perfect fit on the Predators’ top line alongside O’Reilly and countryman Filip Forsberg. 

Forsberg and Nyquist got to know each other a bit at the World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2018. Sweden won gold after beating Switzerland in the final.

”We weren’t on the same line, but I remember him being a key to the team’s success,” Forsberg said. ”I joined the team pretty late (after a Stanley Cup playoff exit against the Winnipeg Jets) and played only the four last games. Still, I followed the team, and he was really good, scoring a goal in the gold medal game. I got to see his qualities up close that I had only seen glimpses of while playing against him.”

After finishing last season with the Minnesota Wild following a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nyquist signed a two-year pact with the Predators worth $3.185 million per season.

”Of course, I was very happy when I heard about it,” Forsberg said. ”Especially since we had lost (Mattias) Ekholm. Otherwise, I would have been the only Swede on the team, so it was fun to get a new Swede. That was the first thought.”

Once they started playing together, Forsberg got even more excited.

”We developed fantastic chemistry from Day 1, me, him, and Ryan O’Reilly. It has worked out great. We three have played together for almost the entire season,” Forsberg said. ”He’s an incredibly smart and a good skater. Those are his main strengths. Maybe he’s more skilled as a playmaker than as a goalscorer. He has a good shot, but also knows where to be on the ice.”

But it also goes beyond what Nyquist brings to the ice. Forsberg testifies that Nyquist and some of the other experienced newcomers have created a new dynamic in the locker room. 

”Him, Ryan O’Reilly, and (Luke) Schenn were the players we signed last summer. It’s changed the culture a bit. We got energy and a different view of everything,” Forsberg said. ”All three have been to different places and accumulated experiences. Nyquist has been far in the playoffs many times. Those are the kinds of guys you need in the team. Now, he’s not just a good player, but a great person who is an asset to our squad.”

How is Nyquist outside of the rink?
“He’s a fun guy who likes the finer things in life, nice restaurants, good food, and all that. He’s been great for our team. A veteran with life experience. He’s brought his gameplay and view of the league. Also, an amazingly good golfer with a plus-two handicap. He’s not shy about bringing that up (laughs), but above all, he’s a great person.”

How do you view the team’s season overall?

“It’s been good and getting better. Sure, it’s been a bit up and down, but that might be because we now have a younger squad. Recently, we’ve found our identity and are playing in the way we want and that brings us success. Then, the points have also started to come. Hopefully, we have our best hockey left.”

Considering what you’ve said about your performance so far, what expectations should we have for Nashville for the rest of the season?

“Hard to say or put words on expectations, but we know and have proven how good we can be when we play at our best. First, we need to make it to the playoffs. Once we’re there, we know we have a fantastic goalie, good defensive play, and that the offense has stepped up. I don’t think we’re that fun for other teams to play against, and we want to keep it that way.”

Forsberg himself has scored 34 goals and 69 points in 67 games and is heading towards one of his best point seasons in the NHL.

“It’s been going well. I think, as said, the chemistry with Nyquist and O’Reilly has been really good from day one. I’ve been able to produce quite consistently throughout the season, so I think it’s been working well offensively. Defensively, I think we’ve taken a lot of responsibility. We’ve been playing against the best lines of the other teams, and I think we’ve done well.

“With Nyquist and O’Reilly, the overall quality rises. They have been two-way players throughout their careers, which I’m also trying to develop into, and it’s been working well.”