Nashville Predators General manager David Poile confirmed on Thursday that the organization has offered UFA forward Filip Forsberg an eight-year deal. In attempts to keep the dynamic scorer from testing the free-agent market, Nashville has elected to try and sell Forsberg on the term, tabling one more season than any other NHL club can offer.
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The likelihood is, that Forsberg will get a bigger payday per season if he heads elsewhere. As per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, there are teams waiting for negotiations to fall through between the Preds and Forsberg, hoping they’ll scoop him up early in free agency. According to reporters including John Glennon of NHL.com, it’s not clear the annual average salary Nashville has offered, but if it’s close and it gives Forsberg one more season than he’ll get anywhere else, he might be inclined to take it.
Filip Forsberg Predators
Pagnotta notes that the Preds want him to stay. He says, “Yeah, I mean they are negotiating right now and trying to get something done with the Nashville Predators. This is a star player, there is no question.” He adds that this is one of the team’s most consistent goal scorers of the last several seasons.” But, the question about how far the Predators are willing to go is a legitimate one.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, reports that both the dollar amount and type of contract structure are in dispute. With Poile’s reputation for drawing a line in the sand, players tend not to get trade protection. Captain Roman Josi is currently the only Predator who has some. That could be a sticking point for Forsberg’s camp.
Will Forsberg See What’s Out There?
It remains to be seen if Forsberg ultimately decides to see what other teams are willing to offer. He wants to stay in Nashville, but if he’s looking to hit a home run and have trade protection worked into his new deal, he might have to see what other teams aren’t shy about making that commitment.
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The post Predators Have Offered Filip Forsberg an 8-Year Deal to Stay appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
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