The talent has always been there for Filip Forsberg. He’s always been good and at times he’s been great. Now in his 10th full season with the Nashville Predators Forsberg is becoming the player everyone in the hockey world, especially those in Nashville, knew he could be. In a season where the Predators need him more than ever, Filip Forsberg has answered the call with the best, and possibly more importantly, most consistent performances of his career. On the scoresheet Forsberg has 27 points in 24 games which is 19th in the NHL among all skaters and also puts him on approximately a 96 point pace over 82 games. It’s not the highest points per game of his career (1.22 pts/gm in ‘21-22) but the type of game he has been playing has been more impactful. So how has he been doing it? Let’s take a look at the eye test and the analytics to see how Filip Forsberg has reached new heights.
Forsberg’s Eye Test View
Filip Forsberg has always had a unique set of skills that make him a handful for opponents. His ability to be physical with the puck, maintain puck control and get his powerful wrist shot off in tight spaces can be game changing. This goal from the December 3rd win versus Buffalo is a prime example. Forsberg finds the puck off the faceoff and its off his stick in a flash around the defenseman, off the post and in the net.
In prior years however, Forsberg has been more of a finisher and play recipient than a play driver. As a result he was prone to sometimes long stretches without much production if the game wasn’t coming to him. So far in the 2023-24 season Forsberg looks much more visually engaged play to play and game to game. In fact he has as many multi-point games (8) as games without a point and not more than two games in a row without at least a point. Watching Forsberg game in and game out it is evident that he is taking a more purposeful role in driving the Predators’ offense.
Forsberg is setting up more plays in addition to his shooting but also working harder defensively. Against the Rangers over the past weekend, in a game he didn’t record a point, Forsberg chased down an odd man rush and broke up the play. As the leading scorer on the roster he could have hung in the neutral zone waiting for a turnover but instead he made the extra effort getting back defensively. It is also relevant and likely not a coincidence that Forsberg’s game has ascended while being teamed up with Ryan O’Reilly, a player renowned for his work ethic every night out. In a season where more is being asked of Filip Forsberg than at any point in his career the eye test shows that he is providing more to the Predators than ever before. Which then leads us to ask the next level question which is, do the analytics back it up?
Forsberg’s Analytical View
Short version? Absolutely. Filip Forsberg is driving play at a level he’s never been before including his 40/40 season in 2021-22. Comparing the two seasons at an equivalent point (after 24 games) is quite revealing at how much more Forsberg is contributing to the Predators’ offense.
As you can see, Forsberg is significantly ahead in terms of offensive analytics from his career season in 2021-22. If his power play production ticks up even a little he could get ahead of his scoring pace as well. But more importantly is that his drive to create offense opens up more opportunities for everyone else. Look at the highlight below. In prior years Forsberg likely wheels into the high slot and either tries to shoot or passes off to reset the play. Instead he whips an incredible pass right on Gustav Nyquist’s stick for an easy tap-in goal.
Forsberg’s offensive contribution is not just at the top of the Predators, he is among the best in the league. Among all forwards at 5v5, Filip Forsberg stacks up a follows:
- 11th in shots on goal
- 5th in individual expected goals
- 28th in scoring chances
- 11th in high danger chances
What this breakdown shows is that Filip Forsberg is both shooting at a high volume and also really working to get into the dangerous areas. With his combination of size, skill and shooting talent Forsberg can consistently drive to the net and he’s doing much more of that this season.
Whether it’s the eye test or the analytics, Filip Forsberg has ascended to a new level of production. In a time of transition for the Predators organization Filip Forsberg is playing his best hockey. While it may not translate into team success this season, looking out into the future the Nashville Predators have multiple up and coming forwards who will be looking to players like Filip Forsberg to learn how to produce in the NHL. As they grow, they will also be learning on Forsberg to help create chances for them to succeed. If the Predators are to establish a new window for Stanley Cup contention, this is the version of Filip Forsberg they will need.
Statistics courtesy of Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and the NHL
