From 2021-2025, Swedish goaltender Anton Forsberg spent his hockey career with the Ottawa Senators. This upcoming 2025-26 season, Forsberg won't be wearing the Senators red and black.
This off-season, Forsberg signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings at $2.25 million per year. Now at 32 years old, Forsberg will be the backup to Darcy Kuemper.
Although Ottawa lost Forsberg, the team is ready to see what 23-year-old goaltender Leevi Merilainen can offer as Linus Ullmark's full-time backup this season. Merilainen had a strong 12 NHL games last season, but Forsberg will be ready to have his career take off according to one writer.
Forsberg gets called a "bona fide backup" to watch in 2025-26 season with Kings
The Hockey News' Adam Proteau recently wrote an article titled "Three Bona Fide NHL Backup Goalies To Watch in 2025-26." Forsberg was one of the three goaltenders Proteau named in his list along with Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils and Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues.
At one point, Forsberg appeared to be the potential goaltender of the future in Ottawa. Forsberg recorded 22 wins with a 2.82 goals against average and .917 save percentage while playing in 46 games in the 2021-22 season.
However, the next two seasons saw struggles from Forsberg in which he recorded a GAA of at least 3.20 in both seasons. Forsberg only appeared in 30 games in just one of those two seasons.
The 2024-25 season was better from Forsberg in his full-time role of being Ullmark's backup. Forsberg recorded an 11-12-3 record with a 2.72 GAA and .901 save percentage. Forsberg also added three shutouts while playing in 30 games. Although his numbers for a backup may have been solid to some, Forsberg still had inconsistency issues.
Of the 30 games he played in last season, Forsberg started in 27 games. Of those 27 games, Forsberg allowed in at least three goals in 18 games. In nine of the 27 games, Forsberg allowed in four goals or more.
"Away from the harsh glare of the Canadian market, Forsberg can settle in and settle down in L.A.," Proteau said.
Los Angeles is one of the biggest American sports markets. If he has some struggles, the Los Angeles media then can become critical of Forsberg's play in goal.
Forsberg will have something to prove with a fresh start in Los Angeles. However, the Senators have seen inconsistency struggles from Forsberg that the Kings might not have seen. The Senators have seen Forsberg have a solid stretch, but then struggle over his next few starts at times last season.
Forsberg's Kings begin their regular season on against the Coloado Avalanche on Oct. 7. Forsberg will be destined to show he is a top backup with the Kings, but will need to overcome his inconsistency issues that he's had as a Senator.