Filip Forsberg

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Forsberg's rookie season in 2014–15 saw him lead all NHL rookies in scoring through November, earning him NHL Rookie of the Month honors. He set franchise rookie records for points (surpassing Alexander Radulov's mark with his 38th point on 5 January), assists, and goals (his 19th on 12 February against the Winnipeg Jets). Selected for the All-Star Skills Competition, he was promoted to the All-Star Game as an injury replacement and became the first Predators player to score a goal in an NHL All-Star Game. He finished third among all rookies with 26 goals and 37 assists, was voted to the 2014-15 NHL All-Rookie Team, and placed fourth in Calder Trophy voting. In the 2015 playoffs, he recorded his first playoff hat-trick—the first hat-trick in franchise history—to help the Predators avoid elimination against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

In Their Own Story

On 23 February 2016, during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Forsberg became the youngest player in franchise history to record a regular-season hat trick. Two days later, he recorded a second natural hat-trick and one assist to lift the Predators to a 5–0 win over the St. Louis Blues. This marked the shortest period between natural hat tricks in NHL history since 1987–88 and made him the first player in Predators history to record multiple hat tricks in a single season. His 12 goals in February set a new franchise record for most goals in one month, and he was recognized as the NHL's First Star of the Week. He finished the 2015–16 regular season leading the team with 33 goals and 64 points, tying Jason Arnott's franchise record for most goals in a single season.

Reader's Guide

Forsberg's early NHL career was shaped by careful management of his entry-level contract. After making his debut in 2012–13, he was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL on 25 April to ensure he played only five NHL games, preventing the Predators from burning a year of his contract. In 2013–14, he scored his first NHL goal on 8 October against the Minnesota Wild, but was reassigned to the Admirals on 7 November for more playing time. He suffered an upper body injury in mid-November and was sidelined for numerous games before returning to the AHL. At the end of December, after collecting eight points in seven games with the Admirals, he was loaned to Team Sweden for the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was crowned tournament MVP with a silver medal and 12 points through seven games. He finished the 2013–14 season with five points through 13 NHL games and 34 points through 47 AHL games.

Did You Know?

• Forsberg was selected 11th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2012 NHL entry draft, not 7th overall.
• He was traded to the Nashville Predators on 3 April 2013 in exchange for Martin Erat and Michael Latta before ever playing for the Capitals.
• Forsberg became the third-youngest player in franchise history to suit up for the Predators when he made his NHL debut at 18 years, 244 days.
• He was the first Predators player in franchise history to score a goal in an NHL All-Star Game.
• Forsberg's 12 goals in February 2016 set a new franchise record for most goals in one month.