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Carl Filip Anton Forsberg[1] (pronounced [ˈfǐːlɪp ˈfɔ̂ʂːbærj]; born 13 August 1994) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a left winger and alternate captain for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Forsberg was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft but was traded to the Predators before ever playing for the team.

Key Information

As a native of Sweden, Forsberg has represented his home country at both the junior and senior levels at international tournaments. While representing Sweden, he has won five silver medals and two gold medals.

Playing career

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Swedish career

[edit]

Forsberg had standout performances at both the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Břeclav, Czech Republic, and the World U18 Championships Tournament in Brno, Czech Republic, where he was a member of the silver medal-winning Sweden teams. At the World Juniors in Brno, he was also named Best Forward of the tournament.[2][3] In the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final rankings, Forsberg was the highest-rated European-based forward available in the 2012 NHL entry draft.[4] He was eventually selected 11th overall by the Washington Capitals and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team on 13 July 2012.[5]

Forsberg was returned to his former club, Leksands IF, on loan for the duration of the 2012–13 season. He again improved upon his season totals for the third consecutive year to finish with 33 points in 38 games to help Leksand gain promotion to return to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the following season.[6]

Nashville Predators

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Early years and development (2013–2015)

[edit]

On 3 April 2013, while playing in Allsvenskan, Forsberg was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Martin Erat and Michael Latta.[7] Forsberg later stated that this trade rattled him because it was unusual for teams to trade first-round draft picks before they played in the NHL.[8] When his Swedish season ended, Forsberg joined the Predators in Tennessee for the remainder of the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season.[9] After participating in one practice with the team, Forsberg made his NHL debut on 14 April 2013 against the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded two shots on goal and finished with a minus 2 rating through 18:37 minutes of ice time.[10] Upon making his debut at 18 years, 244 days, Forsberg became the third-youngest player in franchise history to suit up for the Predators.[11] He later recorded his first career NHL point with an assist on David Legwand's 200th career NHL goal on 24 April against the Calgary Flames.[12] He was reassigned to the Predators American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, on 25 April for one game to ensure he only played five games at the NHL level. This was because the Predators would burn a year of his entry-level contract if he played over five games in one season.[13]

Forsberg scored his first NHL goal on 8 October 2013, against the Minnesota Wild to help the Predators earn their first win of the 2013–14 season.[14] He recorded five points over 11 games with the Predators before being reassigned to the Admirals on 7 November 2013 to get more playing time.[15] While he was recalled back to the NHL level on 14 November,[16] Forsberg suffered an upper body injury the following day and was sidelined for numerous games.[17] He was activated off the Predators injured reserve list in mid-December and returned to the AHL.[18] At the end of the month, after collecting eight points in seven games with the Admirals, Forsberg was loaned to Team Sweden to compete at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[19] He was crowned tournament MVP after finishing with a silver medal and 12 points through seven games.[20] Forsberg returned to the Admirals lineup following the tournament.[21] He was briefly recalled to the NHL in late March but was returned to the Admirals the following day.[22][23] Forsberg finished the 2013–14 season with five points through 13 NHL games and 34 points through 47 AHL games.[6]

Due to his limited number of NHL games and young age, Forsberg was still considered a rookie in the 2014–15 season.[24] He began the season tied for the team lead in scoring while playing on the Predators' second line with Derek Roy and Craig Smith.[25] By mid-October, Forberg had accumulated five points as the Predators maintained a 3–2–0 record.[26] His play through October led to a swift promotion to the Predators first line with James Neal and Mike Ribeiro.[27][28] As a member of this line, Forsberg continued to lead all NHL rookies in scoring and broke Alexander Radulov's franchise rookie record by maintaining a seven-game point streak.[29] He also led the entire NHL with a plus-minus rating of +19.[30] While Forsberg credited much of his success to playing with Neal and Ribeiro, head coach Peter Laviolette said that he was impressed with Forsberg since training camp.[31] After finishing November leading all rookies with nine goals and six assists, Forsberg was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month.[32] He continued to score at a rapid pace and continued to lead all rookies in goals, assists, shots on net, and points through December.[33] Forsberg maintained his lead among rookies through January and set two new franchise rookie records. On 5 January, Forsberg surpassed Radulov's franchise record for points by a rookie with his 38th point of the season.[34] Shortly thereafter, he also matched Martin Erat's franchise record for assists by a rookie.[35] As a result of his accomplishments, Forsberg was one of six rookies selected to participate in the All-Star Skills Competition at the 2015 National Hockey League All-Star Game.[36] However, Forsberg, Aaron Ekblad, and Johnny Gaudreau were eventually promoted to the All-Star Game as injury replacements.[37] He subsequently became the first Predators player in franchise history to score a goal in an NHL All-Star Game.[38] Forsberg finished the month of January as the Predators' new franchise leader in assists and points by a rookie.[39] On February 12, during a game against the Winnipeg Jets, Forsberg surpassed Radulov's franchise record for most goals by a rookie with his 19th of the season. This also marked his 11th point (five goals and seven assists) over 11 games.[40] He finished February clinching another rookie record from Radulov with his fourth game-winning goal.[41] While he experienced a nine-game scoring drought to start March, he broke this streak by recording assists in back-to-back games against the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. Forsberg then went on to score eight points over nine games, including three points in his first game against the Washington Capitals.[42][43] On March 28, Forsberg recorded a goal and two assists against the Capitals to help the Predators clinch a spot in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.[44]

Although Forsberg finished the regular season third among all rookies with 26 goals and 37 assists,[45] he was not named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year.[46] He was also one of two players on the team to reach 60 points, marking the first time the Predators had two players reach this milestone in seven seasons.[47] Forsberg made his postseason debut with the Predators in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Chicago Blackhawks.[48] With the Predators facing an 0–2 series deficit, Forsberg recorded his first playoff goal in Game 3 to help lift the Predators to their first win of the series. He subsequently became the youngest player in franchise history to score a playoff goal at 20 years and 247 days.[49] Later on, Forsberg also recorded his first playoff hat-trick to help the Predators avoid elimination. This also marked the first hat-trick scored in franchise history.[50] Despite his efforts, the Predators were eliminated by the Blackhawks in Game 6.[51] As a result of his play during his rookie season, Forsberg was voted to the 2014-15 NHL All-Rookie Team and placed fourth in Calder Trophy voting.[52]

Setting records and finding playoff success (2015–2019)

[edit]

Forsberg returned to the Predators lineup for the 2015–16 season but struggled early to find consistency in scoring. As such, he was limited to only two goals and 11 points through the first 20 games of the season.[53] Forsberg eventually broke his 17-game scoring drought in a 3–2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on 27 November 2015.[54] Despite breaking this drought, Forsberg only began to pick up momentum in late December when he scored five goals over eight games.[55] He continued to score throughout January and February and quickly accumulated 13 goals over 21 games.[56] During this time, he also set numerous franchise records and was honoured as the NHL's First Star of the Week at the end of February.[57] On February 23, during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Forsberg became the youngest player in franchise history to record a regular-season hat trick.[58] 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.[59][60] His 12 goals in February also marked a new franchise record for most goals in one month. As a result of these accomplishments, Forsberg was recognized as the NHL's First Star of the Week.[57] Forsberg added two goals through two games in March to become the first Predators player to average at least one goal per game over a 14-game span.[61] On 25 March, Forsberg and Neal became the first pair of Predators to reach 30 goals since Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan in 2005–06.[62] Forsberg finished the regular season leading the team with 33 goals and 64 points as they qualified for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.[63] His 33 goals tied Jason Arnott's franchise record for most goals in a single-season.[64] However, Forsberg was less successful in the playoffs as he accumulated only two goals through 14 games. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from a back injury throughout the playoffs but played regardless.[65] While he was not nominated for any awards, he placed 10th in Frank J. Selke Trophy voting as the NHL's best defensive forward.[66] Before he was set to become a restricted free agent on 1 July, Forsberg signed a six-year, $36 million contract to remain in Nashville on 27 June.[67]

During the 2016 offseason, Forsberg and teammate Mattias Ekholm represented Team Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.[68] Upon rejoining the Predators for the 2016–17 season, Forsberg spent the majority of the season playing on the top line with Ryan Johansen and fellow Swede Viktor Arvidsson.[69][70] The trio were subsequently referred to as the "JoFA line" due to their first name initials and reference to the Swedish hockey brand Jofa.[71] While he started the season leading the team with five assists through six games, Forsberg again struggled to find consistent goal scoring.[72] His struggles continued through November and only two of his 16 points were goals by the end of the month.[73][74] While Forsberg and his linemates all struggled to score, they began to pick up by December.[75] He ended January with five game winning goals in one month to pass Martin Erat's previous franchise record of four.[76] In February 2017, Forsberg scored back-to-back hat-tricks against the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche, making him the first player in Predators history and the first NHL player in over seven years to accomplish the feat.[77] He also tied Steve Sullivan's franchise record for most hat tricks in franchise history with four.[78] As a result of these accomplishments, Forsberg was named the NHL's First Star of the Week for the week ending on 26 February.[79] He was also recognized as the NHL's Second Star of February after finishing the month leading the NHL with 11 goals.[80] Forsberg continued to score through March and accumulated 10 goals over five games to set a new franchise record.[81] By mid-March, he led the team with 28 goals and helped the Predators clinch a berth in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.[75] Forsberg finished his sophomore season tied with Arvidsson for the team lead in goals with 31.[82] He also became the first player in franchise history to record 30 or more goals in consecutive seasons.[83]

During the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, Forsberg remained on the Predators top line with Johansen and Arvidsson as the Predators faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference first round.[84] He scored two goals in Game 3 to help push the game to overtime and an eventual Predators win.[85] Forsberg tallied two goals and three assists as the Predators swept the Blackhawks in four games,[86] while the trio combined for 15 points.[84] However, the "JoFA line" struggled in the next round series against the St. Louis Blues and combined for only three points over five games.[87] Despite this, the Predators defeated the Blues and advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history.[88] In the first three games of the Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks, the "JoFA line" combined for four goals and six assists.[89] Forsberg scored goals in four constructive games to help the Predators maintain a 3–2 series lead over the Ducks. However, an injury to Johansen in Game 5 resulted in the "JoFA line" being split up and Forsberg playing with Colton Sissons and Pontus Aberg.[90] While playing with his new linemates, Forsberg scored an empty-net goal in Game 6 to become the franchise leader in postseason goals.[91] The empty-net goal allowed Forsberg to push his points streak to seven games and continue to lead the team with eight goals and 15 points.[92] His goal also helped the Predators secure a series win and advance to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.[91] Forsberg finished the playoffs with nine goals and seven assists for 16 points.[6]

Forsberg with the Predators skating against Devante Smith-Pelly in an April 2018 game.

Before the start of the 2017–18 season, Forsberg was one of four forwards the Predators protected from the 2017 NHL expansion draft.[93] As such, James Neal was chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights in the draft.[94] In September 2017, Forsberg was named an alternate captain alongside Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Johansen.[95] He quickly became the first Predators player of the season to reach double digits in points with six goals and five assists through eight games.[96] He scored his 100th career NHL goal on 14 November to help the Predators secure a 6–3 win over the Washington Capitals.[97] He continued to lead the Predators in scoring through November and December before suffering an upper-body injury on 29 December during a game against the Minnesota Wild.[98] At the time of the injury, he had accumulated 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points and was one of only nine NHL players to play in all regular-season games since the 2014–15 season.[99] Forsberg missed a month of game play to recover but tallied two points in his return on 1 February 2018.[100] During his absence, the Predators maintained a 7–2–2 record and averaged 2.3 goals per game.[101] However, he was subsequently suspended for three games due to a "late, high hit causing an injury" in his second game back against the New York Rangers.[102] After returning to the Predators lineup, he became the second player in franchise history and 13th NHL player overall to score on a penalty shot in overtime.[103] He continued to produce offensively for the Predators through February and March en route to their fourth consecutive berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs.[104] He scored two goals and one assist on 1 April to help the Predators set a new franchise record with their 51st win of the season.[105] Forsberg recorded his fifth career hat trick in the Predators final game of the regular season to finish with a team-leading 64 points.[106]

As the Predators finished the season first in the Central Division, they met with the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference first round.[107] Forsberg recorded two goals in Game 1 and added another two in Games 4 and 6 to tie Austin Watson for the team lead in goals by the time the series ended.[108] Forsberg quickly accumulated three goals and six assists through the first six games of their second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.[109] While he finished the playoffs matching his previous seasons points total in fewer games,[6] the Predators failed to advance to the Western Conference Final.[110] Shortly following their elimination, Forsberg, Arvidsson, and Mattias Ekholm were selected to represent Team Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[111]

Forsberg began the 2018–19 season playing alongside his usual linemates Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson.[112] The "JoFA line" combined for 28 points through the first nine games of the season while also helping the Predators maintain a five-game win streak.[113] After recording his sixth regular-season hat trick on 27 October, Forsberg beat his previous franchise record for most goals in a single month.[114] This also marked the fastest pace to 10 goals in franchise history.[112] Despite their early season success, an injury to Arvidsson necessitated Craig Smith replacing him on the Predators' top line in mid-November.[115] After recording 14 goals and 22 points, Forsberg suffered an injury on 29 November 2018 and subsequently missed 17 games to recover.[116] During his absence, the Predators went through a six-game losing streak and maintained an 8–7–2 record.[117] When he returned to the Predators lineup on 7 January 2019, he was placed on their third line in an effort to slowly reacclimate him.[118] Forsberg played one game on the Predators third line before returning to the first line with Arvidson and Johansen.[119] He missed one game in March due to a lower-body injury[120] but returned to the Predators lineup the following game and recorded two goals.[121] On 16 March, Forsberg recorded his 300th career NHL point to help give the Predators the lead in their 4–2 win over the San Jose Sharks.[122] Forsberg finished the regular-season fourth on the team with 60 points as the Predators advanced to the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.[123] However, the "JoFA line" were not as productive in the postseason and they combined for only four points in their first-round series against the Dallas Stars. Forsberg tied with Johansen and finished with one goal and one assist over six games.[124]

COVID-19 and playoff struggles (2019-present)

[edit]

The Predators' offseason signing of Matt Duchene resulted in the restructuring of the team's top lines for the 2019–20 season. Forsberg started the season on the Predators' second line with Duchene and Mikael Granlund while Craig Smith joined Johansen and Arvidsson on the top unit.[125] Despite missing a few days of training camp due to an undisclosed ailment, Forsberg became the first player in franchise history to score at least one goal in the team's first four games. He also tied a franchise record by accumulating six points over the team's first six games.[126] However, he then missed six consecutive games due to a lower-body injury and returned at the end of October.[127][128] Forsberg and the Predators struggled throughout the first half of the 2019–20 season and head coach Peter Laviolette was eventually fired on 7 January as the team held a 19-15-7 record.[129] Later that month, Forsberg became the second player in NHL history to score a "Michigan goal", behind only Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes.[130] On 5 March, Forsberg ended his 16-game scoring drought by scoring his first goal since 30 January to help the Predators shutout the Stars.[131] A few games later, Forsberg scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season against the Montreal Canadiens and tied Shea Weber for second on the team's all-time goals list. He also became the first player in franchise history to record six consecutive 20-goal seasons.[132] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league paused the remainder of the regular season shortly after this game.[133] At the time of the pause, Forsberg had accumulated 21 goals and 27 assists.[6] When the NHL returned to play for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Predators joined the bio-secure bubble in Edmonton, Alberta for the entirety of the postseason.[134] During the Western Conference qualifying round against the Arizona Coyotes, the "JoFA line" combined for 13 points over four games. Despite their efforts, the Predators failed to advance in the playoffs.[135]

In the 2021–22 season, Forsberg enjoyed a resurgent year offensively, alongside Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen. On 30 November, Forsberg tied a franchise record by scoring four goals in one game en route to a 6–0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. His four goals also allowed him to reach his 400th NHL point milestone in the fewest games in franchise history.[136] On 8 January 2022, Forsberg was put on the Predators COVID-19 list. At the time, he led the team with 18 goals and 29 points.[137] He missed four games while in the protocols before returning to the Predators lineup for their game against the St. Louis Blues.[138] On 19 March 2022, Forsberg surpassed David Legwand as the leading goal scorer in Predators history, scoring his 211th goal in a 6–3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.[139] Three days later, he beat Viktor Arvidsson's single-season scoring record set in 2018–19 by scoring two goals in one game.[140] He finished the regular season setting career highs with 42 goals and 42 assists for 84 points in just 69 games.[6]

As a pending free agent for the first time in his career, Forsberg opted to remain with the Predators after signing an eight-year, $68 million contract extension to stay until the 2029–30 season on 9 July 2022.[141] Forsberg recorded three points in his 600th career NHL game on 30 December 2022 against the Anaheim Ducks.[142] The following day, he scored a hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights to become the third player in franchise history to reach the 500-point milestone.[143] However, he suffered a concussion on 11 February 2023 and missed the remainder of the season to recover.[144] At the time of the injury, he ranked second in team scoring with 19 goals and 23 assists.[145]

On 24 February 2024, Forsberg recorded a goal and an assist against the San Jose Sharks to pass David Legend on the franchise's all-time scoring list.[146] After going numerous games without a goal, Forsberg broke two franchise records during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on 13 April. He set a new franchise single-season scoring record with 46 goals while also scoring his 10th career hat trick. His second goal of the game also broke the franchise record for most multi-goal games in a season.[147]

On 13 October 2024, Forsberg became the sixth player in franchise history to play 700 games with the team.[148] In 2025, Forsberg set numerous personal and franchise records. On 16 January 2025, Forsberg recorded his 300th NHL goal and extended his goal streak to four games.[149] He was later recognized as the NHL's Second Star of the Week ending on 19 January after recording four goals and seven points over three games.[150] The following month, he became the seventh Swedish-born player in NHL history to record nine or more 20-goal seasons. He also extended his game-winning goal lead among Swedish players.[151]

Personal life

[edit]

Forsberg was born to Carina Dahlberg and Patrik Forsberg. At birth, he was named Carl Filip Anton Forsberg, although he is referred to by his second name, "Filip".[1] His younger brother Fredrik plays hockey in the Björklöven organization.[152] The brothers are of no relation to Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg or Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg, as well as Emil Forsberg and Chris Forsberg among others.

Outside of hockey, Forsberg is a fan of Liverpool FC[153] and co-owns the Nashville SC in the Major League Soccer.[154] He is also the co-owner of a female Italian racehorse named Trilly of Nando with fellow Swedish hockey player Jacob de la Rose.[155]

Forsberg married country music singer Erin Alvey in July 2022[156] and they have one child together.[157]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Leksands IF J18 16 10 6 16 12 — — — — —
2009–10 Leksands IF J18 Allsv 15 11 10 21 10 4 5 3 8 0
2009–10 Leksands IF J20 — — — — — 5 0 0 0 0
2010–11 Leksands IF J18 1 0 3 3 2 — — — — —
2010–11 Leksands IF J18 Allsv 2 1 2 3 2 6 2 2 4 2
2010–11 Leksands IF J20 36 21 19 40 22 — — — — —
2010–11 Leksands IF Allsv 10 1 0 1 0 6 0 1 1 0
2011–12 Leksands IF J18 1 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Leksands IF J20 6 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2011–12 Leksands IF Allsv 43 8 9 17 33 10 2 1 3 0
2012–13 Leksands IF Allsv 38 15 18 33 16 9 5 4 9 6
2012–13 Nashville Predators NHL 5 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 13 1 4 5 4 — — — — —
2013–14 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 47 15 19 34 14 3 1 1 2 0
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 82 26 37 63 24 6 4 2 6 4
2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL 82 33 31 64 47 14 2 2 4 2
2016–17 Nashville Predators NHL 82 31 27 58 32 22 9 7 16 14
2017–18 Nashville Predators NHL 67 26 38 64 38 13 7 9 16 2
2018–19 Nashville Predators NHL 64 28 22 50 26 6 1 1 2 6
2019–20 Nashville Predators NHL 63 21 27 48 29 4 3 2 5 2
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 39 12 20 32 16 6 2 1 3 4
2021–22 Nashville Predators NHL 69 42 42 84 22 4 1 0 1 6
2022–23 Nashville Predators NHL 50 19 23 42 20 — — — — —
2023–24 Nashville Predators NHL 82 48 46 94 43 6 2 4 6 2
2024–25 Nashville Predators NHL 82 31 45 76 44 — — — — —
NHL totals 780 318 363 681 345 81 31 28 59 42
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Denmark
Bronze medal – third place 2025 Sweden/Denmark
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Canada
Silver medal – second place 2013 Russia
Silver medal – second place 2014 Sweden
IIHF World U18 Championship
Silver medal – second place 2011 Germany
Silver medal – second place 2012 Czech Republic

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Sweden U18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 4 2 6 2
2011 Sweden IH18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 4 1 5 2
2012 Sweden WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 2
2012 Sweden U18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 5 2 7 6
2013 Sweden WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 3 2 5 0
2014 Sweden WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 4 8 12 2
2015 Sweden WC 5th 8 8 1 9 10
2016 Sweden WCH 3rd 4 1 1 2 0
2018 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 2 1 3 0
2025 Sweden 4NF 3rd 3 0 0 0 2
Junior totals 36 20 16 36 14
Senior totals 19 11 3 14 12

Awards

[edit]
NHL
NHL Rookie of the Month November 2014 [32]
NHL All-Star Game 2015, 2024 [158]
NHL All-Rookie Team 2015 [52]
NHL Second All-Star Team 2024 [159]
International
World U-18 Best Forward 2012
World Junior Top Three Player on Team Sweden 2013
World Junior All-Star Team 2013, 2014
World Junior Best Forward 2014
World Junior MVP 2014

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Filip Forsberg

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Filip Forsberg is a Swedish left winger and alternate captain for the of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 13, 1994, in Östervåla, , he stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 205 pounds, shooting right-handed. Drafted 11th overall by the in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Forsberg was traded to the Predators on April 3, 2013, in exchange for and Michael Latta, marking the start of his tenure with the team where he made his NHL debut on April 14, 2013, against the . Forsberg's career has been defined by his offensive prowess and consistency, amassing 326 goals and 696 points in 799 NHL games as of November 2025, leading the Predators in franchise goals and holding the record for most goals. He achieved career highs of 48 goals and 94 points in the 2023-24 season, earning selection to the NHL Second All-Star Team, and previously recorded 42 goals and 84 points in 2021-22. Notable accolades include the in 2015 following a 63-point season that included his first NHL appearance, and a strong playoff performance with 16 points in 22 games during the Predators' run to the 2017 Final. Internationally, Forsberg has represented , including on the roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where he helped win silver. Secured with an eight-year, $68 million contract extension signed on , 2022, Forsberg remains a cornerstone of the Predators' lineup, with 15 points in 19 games during the 2025-26 season, his 14th NHL campaign, as of November 2025.

Playing career

Swedish career

Filip Forsberg was born on August 13, 1994, in Östervåla, , a small community in . He began his youth hockey career with local clubs in the region before joining the junior system of Leksands IF, a prominent Swedish club based in , around age 15. Forsberg quickly progressed through Leksands' youth ranks, playing for their U16, U18, and U20 teams, where he developed his offensive skills as a right-shooting winger/center known for his powerful shot and puck-handling ability. In the 2010–11 season, Forsberg emerged as a standout in the J20 Nationell league, Leksands' top junior division, leading the team with 21 goals and 40 points in 36 games, showcasing his scoring prowess and contributing to the club's development. The following year, 2011–12, he balanced junior and professional play, appearing in just six J20 games while transitioning to senior hockey. Forsberg made his professional debut that season with Leksands IF in , Sweden's second-tier league, where the 17-year-old recorded 8 goals and 17 points in 43 regular-season games, adding 3 points in 10 playoff contests as Leksands reached the promotion playoffs. His performance highlighted his readiness for higher competition, blending physicality with playmaking. Forsberg's breakout junior play earned him attention from NHL scouts, leading to his selection 11th overall by the in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, held in . On July 13, 2012, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals worth approximately $4.475 million, but was immediately loaned back to Leksands IF for further development. In the 2012–13 season, Forsberg excelled with 15 goals and 33 points in 38 regular-season games, followed by 9 points in 9 playoff games, helping Leksands secure promotion to the top-tier (SHL). His contributions underscored his growth into a top prospect. On April 3, 2013, just before the NHL trade deadline, the Capitals traded Forsberg to the in exchange for veteran forward and prospect Michael Latta, a move that sent the young Swede to a new organization ahead of his North American transition.

Early years with the Predators (2013–2015)

Filip Forsberg was acquired by the on April 3, 2013, in a trade from the that sent forwards and Michael Latta to Washington. Following the end of his season with Leksands IF, Forsberg joined the Predators organization and was assigned to their affiliate, the , for the 2013–14 campaign. In 47 regular-season games with Milwaukee, he recorded 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points, helping the team reach the playoffs where he added 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points in 3 games. Forsberg made his initial NHL appearance on April 14, 2013, in a 3–0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings during the 2012–13 season finale. In the ensuing 2013–14 NHL season, he earned a spot on the opening roster and played 13 games, scoring his first NHL goal on October 8, 2013, against Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Bäckström in a 3–2 victory that snapped Nashville's early-season skid. Overall, he tallied one goal and four assists in those outings before being reassigned to Milwaukee to continue his development. Forsberg transitioned to a full-time NHL role in the 2014–15 season under new head coach , who had been hired in May 2014 to instill a more aggressive, up-tempo style emphasizing forechecking and transition play. The 20-year-old winger appeared in all 82 games, leading Predators and finishing third league-wide among first-year players with 26 goals and 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists), while earning NHL Rookie of the Month honors for after posting 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 12 games. Laviolette praised Forsberg's two-way growth, particularly his defensive reliability and power-play effectiveness, where he contributed eight goals on the man advantage. In the , Forsberg played a key supporting role during Nashville's run to the Western Conference Finals, registering 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in 12 games before suffering a back injury that sidelined him for the series against the . His contributions included a playoff in Game 5 of the first round against the , making him the youngest player in Predators history to achieve the feat and helping force a sixth game in the series. This postseason experience further honed his all-situations play, aligning with Laviolette's focus on versatile forwards capable of impacting both special teams and even-strength shifts.

Rise to prominence (2015–2019)

During the 2015–16 season, Forsberg solidified his role as a top-line forward for the , recording 33 goals and 64 points in 82 games, which marked a career high in scoring at the time. His performance included two natural hat tricks in a three-game span in , highlighting his offensive prowess and earning him recognition as one of the league's emerging stars. Although his All-Star selection had occurred the previous year as a , Forsberg's consistent production in this season contributed to the Predators' strong regular-season finish and their advancement to the second round of the . In 2016–17, Forsberg achieved another 30-goal season with 31 goals and 58 points over 82 games, becoming the first player in Predators history to reach that mark in consecutive seasons. His contributions were pivotal in the , where he tallied 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 22 games, helping Nashville reach the Final for the first time in franchise history. Forsberg's playoff scoring, including key goals against the and , underscored his ability to elevate his game in high-stakes situations during the team's "Smashville" era. The 2017–18 season saw Forsberg named an alternate captain alongside and in September 2017, reflecting his growing leadership within the locker room and on the penalty kill. Despite missing time due to an upper-body injury sustained in late December against the , which sidelined him for four to six weeks, he still managed 26 goals and 64 points in 67 games. Forsberg returned to post 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 13 playoff games, including crucial goals in the series against the and , as the Predators captured the for the league's best regular-season record. Forsberg's 2018–19 campaign was again interrupted by , as an upper-body issue on forced him to miss 17 games after recording 14 goals and 22 points in his first 25 appearances. He rebounded to finish with 28 goals and 50 points in 64 games, providing offensive leadership on a Predators team that reached the playoffs but fell in the first round. Throughout this period, Forsberg emerged as a core member of Nashville's contending roster, blending scoring touch with defensive reliability on the penalty kill to anchor the "Smashville" identity.

Established star and recent achievements (2019–2025)

The 2019–20 season was truncated by the , with Forsberg recording 21 goals and 48 points in 63 games for the before the league paused in March. In the subsequent bubble playoffs in , he tallied 3 goals and 5 points across 4 qualifying-round games against the , including a two-goal effort in a 4-3 loss on August 3 that highlighted his scoring prowess amid the unique circumstances, though Nashville was eliminated in a 3-1 series defeat. Forsberg maintained consistent production in the following seasons despite team challenges and injuries. In 2020–21, he scored 12 goals in 39 games during a pandemic-shortened schedule, contributing 2 playoff goals in a first-round loss to the . The 2021–22 campaign marked a breakout with 42 goals and 84 points in 69 games, his highest output to date, even as the Predators faltered in the playoffs with a first-round exit against the . On July 9, 2022, Forsberg secured his long-term commitment to Nashville by signing an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with an average annual value of $8.5 million, ensuring his presence through the 2029–30 season. In 2023–24, Forsberg elevated his game to franchise heights, shattering the Predators' single-season goal record with 48 tallies and 94 points in 82 games, surpassing Matt Duchene's previous mark of 43 from 2021–22. His performance earned him a second NHL selection and a spot on the Second All-Star Team, underscoring his elite status. The following year, 2024–25, saw him notch 31 goals and 76 points in 82 games amid defensive struggles that contributed to playoff frustrations, as Nashville missed the postseason. Key milestones defined Forsberg's 2025 impact. On January 16, he scored his 300th NHL goal in a 3-2 shootout victory over the , tying the game late in regulation. Three days later, for the week ending January 19, he was named the NHL's Second Star after collecting 4 goals and 7 points in three games. As an alternate captain since 2017–18, Forsberg has served as a pivotal leader, guiding the team through playoff pushes and international showcases, including the 2023 NHL Global Series in where he contributed offensively against the in his home country. As of November 16, 2025, he has 8 goals and 15 points in 19 games during the 2025–26 season.

International career

Junior career

Filip Forsberg began his international junior career representing at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in 6 games. In the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships held in Czechia, Forsberg served as captain of the Swedish team and led the with his offensive contributions, scoring 5 goals and adding 2 assists for 7 points in 6 games, helping secure the silver medal after a 3-2 loss to in the final. He was named the tournament's best forward by the IIHF Directorate for his performance. Forsberg continued his strong play at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships in , again captaining and contributing 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points in 6 games en route to a , following a 3-1 defeat to the in the gold medal game. As captain at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championships in , Forsberg elevated his game, tallying 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 7 games—the second-highest total in the tournament—and guiding to the gold medal with a 2-1 victory over in the final. He was awarded tournament MVP honors for his leadership and scoring prowess. Across these key junior tournaments from 2012 to 2014, Forsberg amassed 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 19 games while wearing the "C" in multiple events, demonstrating his development as a key scorer and leader in high-stakes youth competitions.

Senior career

Forsberg made his senior international debut for the Swedish national team at the in , where he contributed 2 goals and 4 points over 10 games as advanced to the final but fell to for the . The following year, at the in , Forsberg emerged as a key contributor, scoring 5 goals and registering 9 points in 8 games to help reach the final once again, earning silver after a 2-0 loss to ; his performance also earned him a selection to the tournament's All-Star Team. Forsberg's strong play continued at the in , where he tallied 3 goals and 5 points in 10 games, including the decisive goal in the gold medal game against , securing Sweden's second consecutive world title. In 2019, Forsberg represented at the IIHF in , recording 2 goals and 6 points in 8 games as the team captured silver after a loss to in the final. Forsberg made his Olympic debut at the in , playing 4 games and contributing 1 goal and 2 points, though was eliminated in the quarterfinals by . Forsberg also suited up for at the IIHF World Championships in 2021, 2023, and 2024, accumulating 8 goals and 18 points across 28 games and helping the team to bronze medals in 2021 and 2024, with a 4th-place finish in 2023. At the , Forsberg contributed 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in 9 games as won bronze. Forsberg represented at the 2025 4 Nations , recording 0 points in 3 games. Over his senior international career, Forsberg has amassed 22 goals and 51 points in 80 games for across major tournaments as of November 2025.

Personal life

Family

Filip Forsberg was born to parents Patrik Forsberg and Carina Dahlberg in Östervåla, . His father, Patrik, is a former player who competed at the Division 1 and Division 2 levels in and . The family also includes Forsberg's younger brother, Fredrik, who has pursued a career in hockey within the Leksands IF organization. Forsberg married Erin Alvey, a country singer-songwriter originally from Georgia, on July 23, 2022, at Dunderry Castle, her family's estate in La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois, France. The couple, who met in Nashville, Tennessee, where Forsberg plays for the Nashville Predators, settled there after the wedding. On May 12, 2024—coinciding with Mother's Day—the couple welcomed their first child, son Felix Forsberg, who weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces at birth. The timing aligned closely with the end of the Predators' 2024 playoff run, allowing Forsberg an extended period at home during what he described as a "rare" opportunity to bond with his newborn in the early weeks. The family resides in Nashville, where Forsberg balances his demanding NHL schedule with fatherhood by prioritizing time with Felix during offseasons and team breaks. In September 2025, ahead of the Predators' rookie camp, the family hosted team prospect Brady Martin as a houseguest, during which the young player formed a close bond with Felix, earning the affectionate "Uncle Brady" from Forsberg.

Business interests

In 2023, Filip Forsberg became a minority owner of club , joining alongside NBA star and his brothers, as announced by principal owner John Ingram. This investment reflects Forsberg's commitment to the Nashville community, where he has extended his professional hockey career, and aligns with his personal passion for soccer. As part of his ownership role, Forsberg has engaged in team-related activities, including attending high-profile matches such as the at , where he experienced the venue's vibrant atmosphere firsthand. He has expressed enthusiasm for promoting soccer's growth in Nashville, contributing to community events that bridge his hockey prominence with the club's initiatives, though specific promotional efforts remain tied to his broader local involvement. Forsberg has secured endorsements and sponsorships with various brands, including a 2019 ambassadorship with gaming peripheral company HyperX to promote esports among sports fans. In 2024, he partnered with Nashville-based Dreamscape Companies, the region's largest hotel owner and operator, to invest in hospitality properties and enhance community ties through business ventures. He also utilizes equipment from CCM Hockey, a leading provider of professional-grade gear, as seen in his on-ice setups. A lifelong soccer enthusiast, Forsberg's interest traces back to his childhood fandom of in , where he and his father bonded over the club; this passion has persisted, leading him to wear an LFC-themed suit at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. His ownership in further underscores this affinity, though he has occasionally participated in soccer-related activities within charity contexts in the Nashville area.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Forsberg began his North American professional career in the (AHL) during the 2013–14 season with the , where he appeared in 47 games, scoring 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points, along with 14 penalty minutes and a +7 plus-minus rating. His National Hockey League (NHL) regular season statistics with the from 2013–14 to the ongoing 2025–26 season are presented below.
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2013–14NSH131454-8
2014–15NSH822637632415
2015–16NSH82333164471
2016–17NSH8231275832-4
2017–18NSH672638643827
2018–19NSH64282250268
2019–20NSH6321274829-7
2020–21NSH3912203216-9
2021–22NSH694242842212
2022–23NSH5019234220-4
2023–24NSH824846944316
2024–25NSH8231457644-27
2025–26NSH19871581
*2025–26 statistics as of November 16, 2025. Forsberg's NHL playoff statistics from 2014–15 to 2023–24 (no postseason appearance in 2024–25) are as follows.
SeasonGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2014–15642641
2015–16142242-11
2016–172297161414
2017–1813791622
2018–1961126-2
2019–20432521
2020–21621340
2021–2241016-1
2023–24624620
Career advanced metrics for Forsberg include a shooting percentage of 12.8% and 91 power-play goals across regular seasons and .

International

Filip Forsberg has represented in international competition since 2012, participating in junior tournaments through 2014 and senior events from 2014 to 2025. Across all levels, he has appeared in 97 games, scoring 33 goals and adding 33 assists for 66 points. His efforts have contributed to a haul of 2 golds, 6 silvers, and 2 bronzes.

Junior International Statistics

YearTournamentGPGAPtsMedal
2012U18 Worlds6527Silver
2012WJC6011Gold
2013WJC6325Silver
2014WJC74812Silver
Junior totals: 25 GP, 12 G, 13 A, 25 Pts

Senior International Statistics

Forsberg did not participate in the 2014 or 2022 Olympics due to selection and NHL participation restrictions, respectively.
YearTournamentGPGAPtsMedal
2014World Championship8819—
20164112—
201710347
201810437
20218123Silver
202310235Silver
202410134Silver
20254 Nations Face-Off3000—
20259134
World Championship career totals: 65 GP, 21 G, 22 A, 43 Pts (across 2014, 2017–2018, 2021, 2023–2025). Senior totals: 72 GP, 21 G, 20 A, 41 Pts

Awards and honors

NHL awards

Filip Forsberg has earned multiple individual honors in the National Hockey League (NHL), primarily during his tenure with the . In recognition of his breakout rookie season, Forsberg was named to the in 2015 after leading all Predators rookies in goals (26) and points (63), finishing fourth in voting. He also received the NHL Rookie of the Month award for November 2014, during which he tallied nine goals and 15 points in nine games, leading all first-year players in scoring for the month. Forsberg has been selected to the NHL twice, first as a in —where he became the only first-year player in the lineup—and again in 2024, when he represented the Predators as one of the league's top vote-getters and helped Team Matthews win the tournament with five points (three goals, two assists). His 2023–24 campaign earned him a spot on the NHL Second Team, highlighting his league-leading performance among left wingers with 48 goals and 94 points. Within the Predators organization, Forsberg set the franchise single-season goals record with 48 in 2023–24, surpassing Matt Duchene's previous mark of 43 from 2021–22. He has served as an alternate captain since the 2017–18 season, contributing to the team's leadership group alongside . In January 2025, Forsberg reached the 300th goal milestone of his NHL career—all with Nashville—in a 3–2 shootout win over the , earning him NHL Second Star of the Week honors for his four goals and six points over three games.

International awards

Filip Forsberg has represented in multiple IIHF tournaments, earning two gold medals, five silver medals, and one bronze medal. In junior international play, Forsberg helped win silver at the 2011 . He captained to a silver medal at the 2012 , where he tied for second in tournament scoring with five goals and was named Best Forward by the IIHF Directorate. also won gold at the 2012 with Forsberg on the roster. He served as captain at the 2013 , helping secure silver while earning a spot on the Media Team with three goals and two assists in six games. The following year, Forsberg again captained to silver at the 2014 , leading the team with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) to finish second in tournament scoring; he was named tournament MVP, Best Forward, and earned honors. At the senior level, Forsberg scored eight goals in eight games during the , finishing second in tournament goal scoring and helping win silver. He contributed to 's gold medal at the , scoring the decisive goal in the shootout victory over in the final. captured bronze at the , co-hosted by and , with Forsberg recording four points in nine games.

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