Swede dreams: Forsberg always wanted to play on line with Backstrom
Avert your eyes, Washington Capitals fans.
Swedish head coach Rikard Gronborg is making dreams come true at the World Cup by placing Filip Forsberg on a line with Nicklas Backstrom.
Talked to Filip Forsberg tonight about playing on a line with Nick Backstrom. Said it was a dream of his when he was drafted by the Caps.
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) September 12, 2016
Forsberg added, "A lot of things have changed since then and still here we are playing on the same line on the national team. It’s pretty cool."
A lot of things indeed, beginning with the Capitals' decision to trade Forsberg to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Martin Erat and Michael Latta prior to the 2013 NHL trade deadline.
In 182 games with the Predators, Forsberg has recorded 60 goals and 73 assists, and recently signed a six-year, $36-million contract extension with the club.
As unfortunate as the deal was for the Capitals in hindsight, Backstrom and Co. enter 2016-17 as reigning Presidents' Trophy winners and Stanley Cup contenders.
Still, Sweden is set to give the hockey world a glimpse of what could have been.