Predlines
Fansided

Nashville Predators: Grading Filip Forsberg’s 2018-19 Season

By Colby Guy

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg, of Sweden, (9) celebrates a goal scored by teammate Viktor Arvidsson, of Sweden, (not pictured) during the third period of a regular season NHL hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings on February 20, 2018, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Nashville defeated Detroit 3-2. (Photo by Scott Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg, of Sweden, (9) celebrates a goal scored by teammate Viktor Arvidsson, of Sweden, (not pictured) during the third period of a regular season NHL hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings on February 20, 2018, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Nashville defeated Detroit 3-2. (Photo by Scott Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Despite missing 18 games this season, Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg still managed to put together a solid season.

In 64 games, Filip Forsberg put up 28 goals and 22 assists for 50 points this season, which is both good and bad for the Nashville Predators. Let’s start with the good news.

Forsberg did improve his goal totals from last year, despite missing three more games, raising that total from 26 to 28.

This was the best goal scoring pace the Sweden native has had his whole career, as he would’ve been on pace for 35 goals if he had played the entirety of the season, two more than his career high in 2015-16.

More from Predlines

That would’ve also broken Viktor Arvidsson‘s Nashville Predators franchise record for goals in a season, which he set this season at 34, but Arvy also only played 58 games.

Speaking of lost games, the amount of games Forsberg has missed due to injury is slightly concerning, missing over 20% of his games over the past two seasons.

Playing in 131 of 164 games doesn’t seem to bad on the surface, but it had been a problem for the Nashville Predators, as missing one of your top players for any period of time isn’t exactly the best thing, especially when your team isn’t really the best offensively.

Another glaring issue this season has brought up is his assist total. In 2017-18, Forsberg had a very nice 38 assists, but this year he saw major regression, as he fell to 22 assists this season.

Considering the difference in games played between the two seasons is only three, the missed games are not a good enough excuse to cover up for a 16 assist drop off.

The issue seemed glaring when given the eye test as well, as the JoFA line didn’t look as hot as it did during the past. In fact, the entire offense felt kinda dry, as well as the power play.

It seems like that issue isn’t necessarily his fault as much, as the entire team having a down year offensively isn’t exactly his fault.

It seemed like there was something wrong with the power play scheme and the Preds weren’t taking the best shots, which could be solved by the addition of Dan Lambert to the coaching staff next season.

However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he didn’t have a down year, because he did, which is why I will be giving Filip Forsberg a B-.

dark. Next. Grading Viktor Arvidsson's 2018-19 Season

Forsberg still gets a passing grade, as he kept up an amazing scoring pace this season, being one of the lone bright spots on the Nashville Predators forward core. However, health issues and a down season in the assist column brings his grade down.

Home/Editorials