The Nashville Predators and their fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. On Saturday, the team announced they’ve reached a deal with pending UFA Filip Forsberg for 8 years. The terms were not disclosed but multiple reports indicate the AAV to be $8.5 million with no-trade protection.
“We don’t love doing [no-move clauses], but Forsberg has made that as part of the negotiations and that will be part of his contract,” Nashville general manager David Poile said Wednesday before the day before the Draft.
Forsberg was just days away from becoming an unrestricted free agent that would have left the Predators with a huge hole to fill. Ultimately, Poile came to his senses and acquiesced in order to get the deal done.
Filip Forsberg re-signs with Predators
Forsberg, 27, had a career year this past season recording 42 goals, 42 assists and 84 points. He was one goal shy of the franchise mark for most goals in a single-season, which teammate Matt Duchene set this season.
“I’ve said that since Day One: The goal is to come back here,” Forsberg said while negotiating his new deal. “The business side is completely different than the on-ice side.”
Forsberg has recorded 469 points in 566 career games all with Nashville. He was originally selected by the Washington Capitals 11th overall in the 2012 Draft but was traded for Martin Erat and Michael Latta before ever playing a game for them.
The Predators are expected to be much improved next season after acquiring defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a salary cap cutting move.
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