Forsberg trade still haunts Capitals fans

No one could have ever seen this one coming. Back in 2013, the struggling Nashville Predators traded disgruntled winger Martin Erat to the Washington Capitals in a package deal for promising prospect Filip Forsberg. At the time Forsberg was seen as an intriguing player, but as with all prospects, you never really know how they’ll pan out at the NHL level. In Erat however, the Capitals were certain they were receiving a perennial 50 point scorer and someone who could help them in their top six forward group.

What the Caps received instead was just over 60 games and two goals from Erat over parts of two seasons. Forsberg? He’d go on to be a leading scorer for the Preds and their go-to trigger man on the team’s PP unit. Undoubtedly, the Erat/Forsberg a trade is one that has forever changed the fate of each franchise.

Forsberg has led the charge for the Preds this postseason with eight goals and 15 points in 16 games. He’s an early candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP and hasn’t seemed to miss regular pivot Ryan Johansen since the latter went down with a playoff ending injury. Whatever fate awaits Forsberg and the Preds in the Stanley Cup Final, you’ll still be hard pressed to find a Caps fan defending the bold move by former general manager George McPhee.