Filip Forsberg is on his way back to Milwaukee.
On Friday, the Preds announced that Forsberg -- fresh off winning Most Valuable Player at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championships -- will be reassigned to the AHL Admirals.
Forsberg, 19, has already done a tour in Milwaukee, scoring eight points in seven games earlier this season. On Wednesday, he was released from the Swedish junior team and returned directly to Nashville, where he was a healthy scratch for the club’s 4-3 loss at home to Anaheim on Thursday.
On the year, Forsberg’s appeared in 12 games for the Preds, scoring one goal and five points. He hasn’t suited up for the club since Nov. 15, though, as head coach Barry Trotz said the youngster still needs some seasoning before becoming a regular contributor at the NHL level.
“He’s a tremendous young kid. He has a lot of ability. He has a long way to go to play in the National Hockey League on a regular basis. I shouldn’t say play in the National Hockey League — to produce in the National Hockey League,” Trotz told The Tennessean. “I think he has a lot of great tools, exceptional hands and is a quality young man, but there’s still a long way for him to go.”
It’s worth noting that Elias Lindholm, Forsberg’s World Juniors running mate and second-leading Swedish scorer, score three points in his first post-WJC game last night, helping Carolina beat Toronto 6-1.
