Could Filip Forsberg be a potential New York Rangers trade target

new york rangers trade rumors
Feb 8, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) lines up for a face off during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Nashville Predators are on the verge of a full tear down and rebuild of their team. Last night on Saturday Headlines, Elliotte Friedman provided an update on rumors surrounding the them.

“Word is maybe only three untouchables,” he began on the Preds. “Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and Pekka Rinne.” Sportsnet’s top insider then added this nugget. “They are willing to listen on just about anybody – That includes Filip Forsberg, and that also includes – which I found interesting Dante Fabbro.”

Filip Forsberg could be a Rangers trade target

Filip Forsberg is just a 26 year-old winger and having a solid year with 15 points in 17 games. The right-hander would make a great addition but has not scored more than 64 points in a season. His best year came in 2017-18 where he posted that total in just 67 games. Forsberg missed almost 6 weeks with an injury that season.

new york rangers trade rumors
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

He’s also been dealing with plenty of injuries since. Which is always a cause for concern in the day an age where everything is either an upper or lower body malady. You don’t want to trade for a player with a chronic issue.

On the plus side, he still has one year remaining at a team friendly cap hit of $6 million AAV. This doesn’t make him a rental at the deadline but would still be less cost prohibitive to the Blueshirts in assets and picks to acquire him.

Related: Rangers inevitable blockbuster trade coming

No secret the Rangers are looking at the trade market for a center, but could Forsberg be used there?

When it comes to the Blueshirts, the entire hockey world knows they are hunting for a center. The conversation genuinely begins and ends with Jack Eichel. Still, there’s no given the Sabres will trade him at the deadline or this offseason.

Jeff Gorton can’t wait beyond that timeline for what the Rangers have planned. Even so, Forsberg who came up as a center has been primarily used at the wing for the Predators. This is a moot conversation if the Rangers don’t feel he can help there.

The Predators are also not going to be looking for any big names back. Assume the starting price to be a first round pick which Gorton must save for any deal involving Jack Eichel. However, the Blueshirts have enough high end assets to make a deal without one.

Could Tony DeAngelo be the centerpiece in a move for Forsberg? The Rangers would have to add a lot more to that deal in order to make it work. Let’s say Julien Gauthier and maybe Morgan Barron? While this is pure speculation, it’s always a good idea to put proposals on paper just to see if it make some sense.

Regardless, the Rangers need to keep the expansion draft in mind with every move they make. They also have to make sure they have what it takes to land the biggest fish yet to enter the trade waters – Jack Eichel.

Today’s NHL Trade Rumors

Does Jack Eichel have a path out of Buffalo? Check out today’s rumors.

Editor’s Note: I updated the article to note Forsberg’s position as predominantly a LW.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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