Filip Forsberg on Predators, (not) meeting Messi, NHL All-Star draft, hot chicken, his famous mustache
Filip Forsberg has been a huge reason why the Nashville Predators are knocking on the door for a playoff spot this season under first-year coach Andrew Brunette.
The 29-year-old center has 28 points in 24 games, including a team-leading 13 goals. New general manager Barry Trotz indicated that the Predators were going to be an offensive-oriented team when he hired Brunette. That style has Forsberg on pace for one of the best scoring campaigns of his 12-season NHL career.
Forsberg appeared on ESPN’s “The Drop” this week to chat with Arda Ocal and Greg Wyshynski about a variety of topics, ranging from the NHL to “best on best” tournaments to his ownership of an MLS team to his famous mustache.
New episodes of “The Drop” are available Tuesday and Thursday on all podcasting platforms and video streaming on YouTube. Search for the “NHL on ESPN” channel for the latest edition.
ESPN: When a new coach like Andrew Brunette comes in, how much conversation is there during the offseason between him and the players?
Forsberg: It’s obviously happened before for us, when [Peter] Laviolette took over from Barry Trotz, a handful of years ago. But this one was a little different, obviously, with it happening kind of later in the summer. Like we didn’t really know what was going to happen: if John [Hynes] was going to come back or not. It ended up being a fairly late into the summer decision.
I was here in town when Coach Bruno was announced with the press conference. That was the first time I met him. Then there were just a few conversations over the phone throughout the summer. Just trying to get a little bit of a feel for who he was as a person, but also as a coach. It’s been a good transition.
ESPN: Did you almost have a heart attack when you heard Barry Trotz of all people say that you guys are going to be in an offensive team under Brunette?
Forsberg: I mean, it’s a little change obviously from [Trotz], right? You didn’t know what to expect when he was coming back. But I think the mix of experience that Barry has a coach, but also just in hockey in general, and then bringing in Bruno, who has a ton of experience as a player and has been an assistant coach and briefly a head coach there for the Panthers, I think the mix of the two of them and our style of play in general has been a good combination so far.
ESPN: Another offseason addition was center Ryan O’Reilly. It’s always interesting when you bring in a player that you’re so used to competing against as an opponent, and one with a heck of a reputation after that Stanley Cup win in St. Louis. What are the things you’ve learned about him as a teammate?
Forsberg: Well, I think it’s the small things that you don’t see all the time. Like you said, he was with St. Louis and Colorado for long enough and I felt like we played them 1,000 times a year. He was tough to play against.
But then you see all the work that he puts in every day, working on on those small details before practice. In my opinion, he’s very underrated. Like, I didn’t realize how good he actually is. You knew he was good on faceoffs and he was almost impossible to play against. But then he comes here and you see the offensive upside through all the small things that he does. It’s been really cool. I try to learn as much as a I can from him.
ESPN: There are some big changes to the NHL All-Star Game this season that have been announced, including bringing back the player draft. We’re curious about the player’s perspective on that.
Forsberg: I was actually there the last time they did this. It was my rookie year, so they picked a few rookies to be in the game. Then a couple of guys bailed out last minute, so we got to a part of the actual game part of the All-Star Game, which was great. That was actually the last time they did the draft. Me and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were able to get those cars. I’m obviously very happy about that. But at the same time, I definitely would have liked to be picked a little bit earlier than [last]. If that happens, I’ll be a pick or two higher at least.
I think it’s cool. It obviously adds a little bit of fun. Lot of goofing around. I mean, [Alex] Ovechkin, we’re sitting there and trying to get that car so hard that time. It was a fun thing to be a part of, for sure.
ESPN: Another big NHL move is the creation of a midseason international tournament that’s scheduled for 2025. It won’t be a World Cup, but it’s expected to feature the U.S. vs. Canada and Sweden vs. Finland. What were your thoughts when you heard about that?
Forsberg: I’m all for it. We need to get some kind of international hockey back with NHL players participating. And I understand the concerns for World Cups, Olympics, all that type of stuff. I know it’s not the easiest thing just to put together. But I do think that we’re currently — us as players, but also the fans out there — are not getting to watch these games.
I remember watching the Olympics and best-on-best hockey growing up. You can’t beat it. Representing your country in those situations is special. I’ve been fortunate. I was in the World Cup, obviously, which was a little different with the Europe team and Team North America, but and then I also played in a couple of world championships. But those are different, too, with no playoff players in there.
I’m all for it. And playing Finland makes it a little bit extra special too.
ESPN: It’s no secret the media loves coming to Nashville to cover games. What’s it like playing in Nashville?
Forsberg: I mean, I see why you people would like it, because there’s a lot of benefits with the building being where it is. You could have a good time within minutes of where the puck is dropped. When the game is ended, you can have a real good time after it.
But for me, it’s the people, ever since I first came here. There’s a saying about Southern hospitality, and that’s something that’s really through the city as a whole. I came here when I was 19, over 10 years ago, and the city really helped me out. At the time, I didn’t really know anything about anything, and lot of people that were really helpful to me early on still keep in touch with me.
ESPN: Look, just because the Professional Hockey Writers Association holds its meetings at Tootsie’s on Broadway doesn’t mean we’re imbibing. Speaking of Nashville food and drink: Are you a hot chicken guy?
Forsberg: I mean, I’m not. I don’t love spicy food, so I can’t say I do [like it]. I don’t know if you guys have seen the new Hattie B’s location, but it’s right across from Bridgestone Arena. It’s a pretty prime location. So next time you guys come, you can fuel up before you get going at Tootsie’s over there.
ESPN: Did you try it? And you’re like, I can’t do this again?
Forsberg: Yeah, I did. And I even did like a 2-out-of-7 on the heat scale. I wasn’t even halfway there. I’ve got some work to do there, for sure.
ESPN: You’re a minority owner of Nashville SC, the city’s Major League Soccer team. What’s that been like?
Forsberg: It’s been crazy, not going to lie. We jumped in about a year ago. This first year has been pretty wild to say the least, obviously with Lionel Messi being the highlight for the whole league. We had Nashville’s league cup run, playing Messi in the finals; it’s just been really cool seeing the whole city embrace soccer.
I love soccer. I’ve done it since I was a kid, obviously being from Europe and soccer is such a big part of everything over there. It’s really cool to see that coming here. Bringing the best player ever is obviously a great marketing decision by David Beckham. Don’t get me wrong. Hopefully we can do something similar here in Nashville at some point, too. But it’s awesome. It’s been a great journey, and I’m really excited about future with it.
ESPN: Did you get to meet Messi?
Forsberg: No, I didn’t. It’s actually funny. We played him in the finals, and I had about 10 guys from the Predators that went. And Yakov Trenin asks me, “Hey, do you think we can get to meet Messi after the game?” He was like dead serious. And I was like, “Nah, I don’t think we have that type of pull here.” And he was like, “OK, no problem.”
I’m hoping I can meet him. The first year, we were learning, kind of getting to know some of the people. But now, the second year, we’re going to take over a little bit more and make some changes. And hopefully we can get in that room with him. That’d be cool.
ESPN: Finally, you’re obviously very well known for the mustache. It’s part of the persona. The Filip Forsberg presentation. How often do people bring it up in Nashville?
Forsberg: I’d say about at least once a day. It’s obviously hard not to. It’s mostly like some random people who will stop you and say like, “Oh, nice mustache.” I think it’s definitely a conversation starter. It’s a topic, a lot of people like it. And yeah, it’s hard to miss, too, I guess. So it’s a little bit of my own fault.
There are some who saw what the Carolina Hurricanes did at the trade deadline — or perhaps failed to do after they traded Mikko Rantanen — and believe they’re cooked when it comes to the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, based on the projections from Stathletes, the Canes remain the team with the highest chances of winning the Cup, at 16.7%.
Standing before them on Sunday are the Winnipeg Jets (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Jets had a relatively quiet deadline, adding Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, though sometimes these additions are the types of small tweaks that can push a contender over the edge. As it stands, the Jets enter their showdown against the Canes with the sixth-highest Cup chances, at 8.7%.
Carolina has made two trips to the Cup Final: a loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2002 and a win over the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. The Canes have reached the conference finals three times since (2009, 2019, 2023). Winnipeg has yet to make the Cup Final, and was defeated 4-1 in the 2018 Western Conference finals by the Vegas Golden Knights in the club’s lone trip to the penultimate stage.
Both clubs are due. Will this be their year?
There is a lot of runway left until the final day of the season on April 17, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide detail on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Saturday’s schedule
Friday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Calgary Flames
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Seattle Kraken at Washington Capitals, 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
Saturday’s scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, New York Rangers 3 (OT)
Seattle Kraken 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
Florida Panthers 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Colorado Avalanche 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Calgary Flames 1, Montreal Canadiens 0
Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 5, Dallas Stars 4
New York Islanders 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106.3
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 85.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 8.3%
Tragic number: 37
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 19.8%
Tragic number: 37
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 33
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 71.4
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 27
Metro Division
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 86.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89.9
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 27.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 88.5
Next game: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.1%
Tragic number: 39
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 86.0
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 29.7%
Tragic number: 38
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 79.4
Next game: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 9.5%
Tragic number: 31
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.1
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 25
Central Division
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 117.9
Next game: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 98.9
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 94.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 37.2%
Tragic number: 34
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 26.4%
Tragic number: 35
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 62.8
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 16
Pacific Division
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: vs. LA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 21
Points pace: 98.1
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 84.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 27.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 30.9%
Tragic number: 40
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 80.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 32
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 74.3
Next game: @ WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 54.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters.
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
EDMONTON, Alberta — Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz was hit by a puck shot by Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique and left the ice with a towel pressed against his bloody face Saturday night.
Hintz extended his stick toward Henrique, whose wrist shot sent the puck under Hintz’s visor during his club’s 5-4 loss to the Oilers. He was on the ice, with his face in a towel, as the team’s medical staff assessed him and helped him skate toward the dressing room.
After the loss, Dallas coach Peter DeBoer said Hintz was at a local hospital, receiving tests. The coach added that the initial report was fairly optimistic for Hintz, 28, who has 25 goals and 52 points.
“Everyone’s optimistic that it’s not ‘serious, serious,'” DeBoer said. “But we won’t know until we get testing.”
The short-handed Stars rallied from a 5-1 deficit before eventually losing. Trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist in his debut for Dallas, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Wyatt Johnston, Jamie Benn and Matt Dumba also scored for the Stars.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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