Top prospect Filip Forsberg could make his National Hockey League debut with the Nashville Predators before the end of the regular season, Preds general manager David Poile said Thursday.
Forsberg was drafted 11th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, but was traded to the Predators at the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for Martin Erat and minor leaguer Michael Latta.
The Predators have made the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons, but the chances this year’s edition of the team qualifies for the post-season is dwindling by the day.
The club has lost four games in a row and as of Thursday, the Preds were in 13th place in the Western Conference, five points behind the eighth place Detroit Red Wings with just seven games remaining.
In 38 games with Leksand in the tier-two Swedish professional league this season, the 18-year-old has registered 15 goals and 33 points.
Forsberg’s presence in the lineup could alleviate some injury woes the Preds are facing. The team announced Thursday it will be without forwards Paul Gaustad, Colin Wilson and Gabriel Bourque, as the three will undergo season-ending surgeries.
