Philippe Forsberg was one of the main reasons why 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 the Predators were going to become an offensive team when he hired Brunette. This style has Forsberg on track for one of the best scoring campaigns of his 12-season NHL career.
Forsberg appeared on ESPN’s “The Gout”” this week to chat with Arda Ocal and Greg Wyshynski about a variety of topics, from the NHL to best-on-best tournaments, his ownership of an MLS team and his famous mustache.
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ESPN: When a new coach like Andrew Brunette comes in, how many conversations are there in the offseason between him and the players?
Forsberg: This has obviously already happened to us, when (Peter) Laviolette succeeded Barry Trotz a few years ago. But this one was obviously a little different, because it took place a little later in the summer. Like we didn’t really know what was going to happen: whether John (Hynes) was going to come back or not. It ended up being made quite late in the summer decision.
I was here in town when Coach Bruno was announced at the press conference. It was the first time I met him. Then there were only a few phone conversations throughout the summer. I’m just trying to get a sense of 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 say you were going to be on an offensive team under Brunette?
Forsberg: I mean, it’s obviously a small change from (Trotz), right? We didn’t know what to expect when he came back. But I think the mix of experience that Barry has as a coach, but also in hockey in general, and then the arrival of Bruno, who has a ton of experience as a player and having been an assistant coach and briefly head coach there for the Panthers, I think the mix of the two 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 to bring in a player that we’re so used to competing against as an opponent, and who has quite a reputation after that Stanley Cup victory in St. Louis. What things did you learn about him as a teammate?
Forsberg: Well, I think it’s the little things that you don’t see all the time. Like you said, he spent quite a long time with St. Louis and Colorado and it felt like we played them 1,000 times a year. It was difficult to play against him.
But then you see all the work he puts in every day, working on those little details before practice. In my opinion he is very underrated. I didn’t realize how good he was. You knew he was good at faceoffs and it was almost impossible to play against him. But then he comes here and you see the offensive advantage through all the little things he does. It was very cool. I try to learn as much as possible from him.
ESPN: There are big changes to the NHL All-Star Game this season that have been announced, including the return of the player draft. We’re curious to know the player’s take on this.
Forsberg: Actually, I was there the last time they did that. It was my rookie year, so they picked a few rookies to play in the game. Then a few guys bailed at the last minute, so we got to some of the actual All-Star Game play, which was awesome. It was actually the last time they did the draft. Me and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were able to recover these cars. I am obviously very happy about it. But at the same time, I certainly would have liked to have been chosen a little earlier than the (last) one. If that happens, I’ll be at least a pick or two higher.
I think it’s cool. This obviously adds a bit of fun. Lots of nonsense. I mean, (Alex) Ovetchkine we sit there and try to get this car so hard this time. It was a fun thing to be a part of, that’s for sure.
ESPN: Another important initiative by the NHL is the creation of a mid-season international tournament planned for 2025. It will not be a World Cup, but it should pit the United States against Canada and Sweden against Finland . What did you think when you heard about this?
Forsberg: I completely agree. We need to reestablish some sort of international hockey with the participation of NHL players. And I understand the concerns about the World Cups, the Olympics, all that kind of stuff. I know it’s not the easiest thing to set up. But I think right now – we as players, but also the fans – can’t watch these games.
I remember watching the Olympics and best-on-best hockey growing up. You can’t beat it. Representing your country in these situations is special. I was lucky. I did the World Cup, obviously, which was a little different with the European team and the North American team, but I also did a few world championships. But these are also different, with no players in the playoffs.
I completely agree. And playing against Finland also makes it a little more special.
ESPN: It’s no secret that the media loves coming to Nashville to cover games. What’s it like playing in Nashville?
Forsberg: I mean, I see why you would like it, because there are a lot of advantages to the building being where it is. You could have a good time within a few minutes of throwing the puck. Once you finish the game, you can have a great time afterwards.
But for me, it’s the people, since I arrived here. There’s a saying about Southern hospitality, and it’s something that really carries over into the city as a whole. I came here when I was 19, over 10 years ago, and the city has really helped me. At the time I really didn’t know anything and a lot of people who were a big help to me in the beginning still stay 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 absorb it. Speaking of food and drink in Nashville: are you a hot chicken lover?
Forsberg: I mean, I’m not. I don’t like spicy food, so I can’t say I like it. I don’t know if you’ve seen the location of the new Hattie B, but it’s right across the street from Bridgestone Arena. This is a rather privileged location. So next time you come, you can stock up before you go to Tootsie’s over there.
ESPN: Have you tried it? And you say to yourself, I can’t do this again?
Forsberg: Yes I did it. And I even liked it a 2 out of 7 on the warmth scale. I wasn’t even halfway there. I have work to do there, that’s for sure.
ESPN: You are a minority owner of Nashville SC, the city’s Major League Soccer team. How did that happen ?
Forsberg: It was crazy, I’m not going to lie. We launched about a year ago. This first year has been crazy to say the least, obviously with Lionel Messi being the highlight of the entire league. We competed in the Nashville League Cup, playing Messi in the final, it was really cool to see the whole city embrace soccer.
I like football. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, I’m obviously from Europe and football is a very important part of everything that happens there. It’s really cool to see that coming here. Bringing in the best player of all time is obviously a great marketing move on David Beckham’s part. Do not mistake yourself. I hope we can do something similar here in Nashville at some point as well. But it’s great. It’s been an awesome journey and I’m really excited about the future.
ESPN: Have you met Messi?
Forsberg: No, I didn’t. It is really funny. We played him in the final, and about 10 guys from the Predators participated. And Yakov Trenin asks me, “Hey, do you think we can meet Messi after the match?” He was really serious. And I was like, “No, I don’t think we have that kind of attraction here.” And he said, “OK, no problem.”
I hope I can meet him. The first year we were learning, we were kind of getting to know some people. But now, the second year, we’re going to take over a little more and make some changes. And I hope we can get in that room with him. That would be cool.
ESPN: Finally, you are obviously very well known for your mustache. It’s part of the personality. Filip Forsberg’s presentation. How often do people talk about it in Nashville?
Forsberg: I would say at least once a day. It’s obviously hard not to. It’s mostly like random people stopping you and saying, “Oh, nice mustache.” I think it’s definitely a conversation starter. It’s a topic, a lot of people like it. And yes, it’s also hard to miss, I suppose. So it’s a bit my fault.
