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Forsberg wants to return to Predators: 'The goal is to come back'

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Has Filip Forsberg played his last game with the Nashville Predators? The pending unrestricted free-agent winger hopes not.

"I've said that since Day 1: The goal is to come back here," Forsberg said following Nashville's elimination from the playoffs Monday, per NHL.com's John Glennon. "The business side is completely different than the on-ice side. (We'll) just kind of have to wait and see and play it out.

"There's been obviously some (negotiation) progression throughout the season from where we started in September, and me and my agent and (the Predators front office) are going to be in ongoing conversation in the process. We'll just have to see where we end."

Forsberg appeared to be soaking in what potentially could be his final game as a home player at Bridgestone Arena after the Colorado Avalanche eliminated the Predators.

Forsberg is set for a lucrative payday after producing a career-best 42 goals, 42 assists, and 84 points in just 69 games. Only Johnny Gaudreau and Nazem Kadri collected more points among pending UFAs. Forsberg is also the youngest of that bunch at just 27 years old.

Nashville has been bounced in the opening round of the postseason in four straight years, but Forsberg still believes in the club's direction.

"I've been fortunate enough to be on this team for a long time now, and we've made the playoffs (almost) every year," Forsberg said. "But at the same time, every player plays to win the Stanley Cup. So do I. That's my biggest goal. I do believe we have a team that can make that in the future. I think that's the direction that a team has to be heading, and I think we are."

The Preds have the cap space if they're keen on re-signing Forsberg. Nashville projects to have over $25 million in flexibility entering the offseason, per CapFriendly.

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