NHL Rookie Watch: Filip Forsberg – Nashville Predators

Filip ForsbergFilip Forsberg Scouting Reports

Date of birth: 08/14/1994
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 190
Position: RW
Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 11th overall in 2012 by Washington

Corey Pronman Hockey Prospectus – @coreypronman

Year in Review: Forsberg was the top U20 player in the Allsvenskan league, and was an All Star at the World Juniors. He saw some time with Sweden’s senior national team.

The Good: Forsberg is the kind of big forward with skill that many teams covet. He is extremely gifted with the puck and he can maintain possession very well thanks to a high amount of creativity, balance, work ethic, and coordination. His ability to make plays is high end, be it by himself, or as a playmaker. Forsberg has a powerful stride with a good first step. He plays the game with a powerful style. He uses his solid frame to protect the puck well, and he pressures opponents with his body.

The Bad: Forsberg has a tendency to try to do too much, and he can be a victim of some ill-advised turnovers. He needs to continue to get stronger to make the jump to North American hockey.

Projection: He could be a top line forward.

Internationals Scouting Services – @ISSHockey

Forsberg is one of the best young prospects in terms of puck possession ability. The fact is, when Forsberg has the puck it is likely that opponents will be scrambling in their own end for a significant amount of time. On top of that, Forsberg is extremely intelligent, has great leadership    qualities and can shoot the lights out.

Dobber Prospects@dobberprospects

October 2013 – Forsberg is having a good start to his first NHL season, potting his first goal and four points in eight games played. At the moment he is playing very sheltered minutes, which is not surprising as he learns the ropes. He currently sits third on the team in powerplay time on ice per game but only twelfth in even strength time on ice per game. That being said Forsberg has worked his way into a crowded offensive lineup and has not looked out of place. He is developing well and is still a top tier offensive prospect. Donesh Mazloum

Carl Maloney of The Hockey Writers@maloney3383

Preds GM David Poile made a shrewd move unloading the often injured Martin Erat to Washington for one of their top prospects in Forsberg. He did get into 5 games with Nashville last season and got his feet wet. There should be less transition time in the fall for him now.

The Predators added a number of forwards in free agency, the for the most part they are two way forwards that, albeit valuable additions, are not elite top six talents. The team and their management believe Forsberg could turn into that top talent for them.

Forsberg’s first NHL goal

Capitals draft Forsberg with the 11th overall selection