Prior to joining the Ottawa Senators, goaltender Anton Forsberg played for three different NHL teams. Forsberg joined the Senators in the 2020-21 season. Forsberg had a solid 2021-22 season when he recorded a 22-17-4 record with a 2.82 goals against average and .917 save percentage.
After the 2021-22 season, the Senators had high hopes that Forsberg could be the goaltender of the future, but Forsberg recorded a goals against average over 3.20 over the next two seasons.
In the 2024-25 season, Forsberg needed to earn trust back and raise his game. The Swedish goaltender is now an unrestricted free agent this Summer at 32 years old. While there is reason why the Senators may not want to re-sign him, a potential projected contract can still be made.
Projected contract if Forsberg re-signs in Ottawa
Due to some inconsistency and the rise of Leevi Merilainen in the AHL and his 12-game stint in the NHL, a one-year contract at a salary of around $1.5 million might be in the ballpark for Forsberg.
Forsberg finished the 2024-25 season with an 11-12-3 record with a 2.72 goals against average and .901 save percentage. Forsberg started 27 of the 30 games he played in.
A one-year contract might be the best option for the Senators if they still want to give Forsberg another chance at being Linus Ullmark's backup and re-sign him. A one-year contract could also allow Merilainen to develop more in the AHL if they still feel like the 22-year-old still isn't ready to take on being a full-time backup goaltender.
Forsberg has had a salary of $2.75 million per year over the past three seasons, but the salary didn't quite live up to his play. Despite the 2.72 goals against average, Forsberg had inconsistency issues in 2024-25.
Forsberg allowed in three goals in 18 of the 27 games he started for the Senators. Seven of the 18 starts saw Forsberg allow in four goals or more. The last game Forsberg started on April 15 against the Chicago Blackhawks, Forsberg allowed in four goals on 16 shots on goal. After the overtime loss, Forsberg broke his stick in frustration. Forsberg never saw any action for the remainder of the season following the loss.
If Forsberg struggles next season if he re-signs in Ottawa, a one-year contract could help the Senators make him trade worthy with an expiring contract.
It's still up in the air whether or not Forsberg will re-sign in Ottawa this Summer. It will be important for the Senators not to overpay for Forsberg if they want to keep him as a backup goaltender, but inconsistency and having Merilainen on the rise can put Forsberg's future in Ottawa in even more jeopardy.