Nicklas Backstrom is one of the best playmakers in hockey and Filip Forsberg is one of the sport’s best finishers. So naturally, they are being paired together on a line for Sweden’s World Cup of Hockey team. The news was first reported by the Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet.
Aftonbladet was at Tre Kronor’s first World Cup of Hockey practice today held in Gothenburg. The team suited up at the practice rink next to the Scandinavium where Sweden faces Finland for an exhibition game on Saturday. No coaches were allowed to participate on the ice, according to the rules set by the NHL. But Aftonbladet reporters noticed the early line combinations.
Backstrom and Forsberg were joined on the opposite wing by Patric Hornqvist.
[adinserter name=”nation-ad”]Forsberg, of course, is a former Capitals draft pick who was later traded to Nashville for Martin Erat and the recently departed Michael Latta. The trade is widely considered the worst in Capitals history, which is why I created this handy Vine.
Forsberg has since blossomed into a top-ten NHL goalscorer, scoring 33 times last season with the Predators. Considered one of the best young players in the game, the 22-year-old Swede has led his team in points the last two seasons.
Now during the World Cup of Hockey, we can see what might have been! Thanks, Gary.
Translation by Magnus Cadelin.
