Ottawa Senators Sign Anton Forsberg to One-Year Deal

After a tumultuous start to the season where Forsberg spent time on four different teams until landing an opportunity in Ottawa

Ever since being picked up on waivers via the Winnipeg Jets, Anton Forsberg has provided stability in the Senators‘ crease that they simply weren’t getting at the beginning of the season. Head coach D.J. Smith consistently praises Forsberg’s work effort and maturity, he did everything he could to warrant a contract and you can’t fault the Senators for rewarding his good play.

The 28-year-old has given the Senators a chance to win in every game he’s started for them, in 6 of 7 starts he’s carried a save percentage over 0.900%. Forsberg carries a 3-3-1 record with an impressive save percentage of 0.917% and goals-against-average of 2.87.

While depth isn’t necessarily a need at the goaltending position making this decision a little questionable, if the NHL sticks with three goaltending spots on the NHL roster, Forsberg would be an ideal candidate as a number three.

What Does This Mean?

This almost certainly spells the end of Marcus Hogberg’s time in Ottawa, there simply won’t be any room for him on the roster next season and management seems totally content.

Adding Forsberg for next season also helps the team cope with the potential loss of one of their top young goalie prospects, it’s likely either Filip Gustavsson or Joey Daccord are targeted by Seattle if left exposed. They have to protect one goaltender in the expansion draft and expect that to be Matt Murray, leaving Daccord and Gustavsson available to Seattle. This signing gives the Senators more flexibility if one of their young goaltenders is scooped up via the expansion draft and with the strong possibility of an injury as was evident this season, they will always have an NHL goaltender in the crease.

Now all heads turn to the expansion draft and the Senators currently sit with a surplus of talent at the goaltending position.