Player Discussion Anton Forsberg

[darude]

No chance.

Unless you allow twelve 2-on-0 for the dozen shots against, how can you say he gave us a chance to win, giving up 3 goals?!

The 1st one was a brutal rebound, just sitting there to be put back in, the 2nd could have been stopped by his stick before it was deflected and the last had him deep in his net.

The team played amazing in front of him and should have been able to win 2-1.

He may end up being fine, but he wasted his teams effort last night, and not for the 1st time this year.

We can't expect Ullmark to win every start from here on out, and in any case, we need to win games in which the team plays well enough to win.

First goal, Sandy doesn't clear in front of the net, leaving the guy with all day to put that one home.

2nd goal, pretty much the same. While he maybe had a play there Jensen just kinda lets up on McLean right before the pass comes.

Of the three the last one is where he's actually beaten and you'd want that save. He isn't actually in his net being small, but he also can't exactly come out to challenge because our PK system leaves both corners wide open for the other team. If he comes out too much a shortside pass next to the net is a goal. This is the third goal:

I think the diamond isn't working as we play it, generally.

 

[StutzlingAway]

He hasn't been that bad this season. The reality is that there is a shortage of NHL goalies and with many of the rule changes resulting in higher scoring, an 889 save percentage is mostly fine for a backup. He is probably still a top 45 goalie in the league, which says more about goaltending than it does about him.

I have been contemplating this idea in a way, these days it seems hard to be consistent in goal. Is it the talent of players in today's era, the development of sticks, any other factors , I am not sure. Regardless, he needs to give us better results.

 

[OD99]

First goal, Sandy doesn't clear in front of the net, leaving the guy with all day to put that one home.

2nd goal, pretty much the same. While he maybe had a play there Jensen just kinda lets up on McLean right before the pass comes.

Of the three the last one is where he's actually beaten and you'd want that save. He isn't actually in his net being small, but he also can't exactly come out to challenge because our PK system leaves both corners wide open for the other team. If he comes out too much a shortside pass next to the net is a goal. This is the third goal:
View attachment 942498

I think the diamond isn't working as we play it, generally.

Good lord. Did you see the saves the Isles goalie was making?

The 1st one was a brutal rebound. Either cover it or kick it away. It was a straight on shot from the point.

Way too easy on him.

12

Shots

3

Goals

Not NHL level, period.

 

[SweSensFan]

If you watch the game and know hockey you can easily see that our absolute joke of a PK is what cost us this game.

Forsberg wasn't great. Sandy and Jensen had mistakes but it is the way we play on PK that is a big fkin joke and someone needs to be fired for it! Baumgartner?

56% through the last seven games and the eye test confirms it!

Fine to leave the opponents controlling the puck at the half wall without being overly agressive but when they can get all the way to the goal crease without anyone even trying to stick check or in other ways stop them it is a joke. Especially when we don't even manage to cover the other players for rebounds etc. It is like we play 3 on 5 instead of 4 on 5 and the record is more like that too.

56% pk through 7 games now and season may already be over. This loss was 100% on our brutal pk and I think this could well be the game we look back at as when the playoff train left and we stood there wawing it good bye!

 

[Relapsing]

When the margins for success are as thin as they are, a capable backup is the difference between making the playoffs and missing it.


I was pretty convinced going into the season that Forsberg was going to cost us a playoff spot, and although the team is disappointing in other ways, he is certainly a big contributor to that.

Yet another gross misjudgment of talent by the previous regime.

It really is ridiculous how signing a journeyman goalie to this contract vs being patient with the pipeline has affected the current state of affairs.

Anyways, I can't see him with the team moving past this season. That money is better spent elsewhere

 

[ColinM]

It really is ridiculous how signing a journeyman goalie to this contract vs being patient with the pipeline has affected the current state of affairs.

Anyways, I can't see him with the team moving past this season. That money is better spent elsewhere

I feel the same way. I'd rather invest in another defenceman than a goalie given the way the former Sens goalies played elsewhere. They need someone who is able to clear the net in front of them rather than look like a deer in headlights when there is a scramble in front.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

If you watch the game and know hockey you can easily see that our absolute joke of a PK is what cost us this game.

Forsberg wasn't great. Sandy and Jensen had mistakes but it is the way we play on PK that is a big fkin joke and someone needs to be fired for it! Baumgartner?

56% through the last seven games and the eye test confirms it!

Fine to leave the opponents controlling the puck at the half wall without being overly agressive but when they can get all the way to the goal crease without anyone even trying to stick check or in other ways stop them it is a joke. Especially when we don't even manage to cover the other players for rebounds etc. It is like we play 3 on 5 instead of 4 on 5 and the record is more like that too.

56% pk through 7 games now and season may already be over. This loss was 100% on our brutal pk and I think this could well be the game we look back at as when the playoff train left and we stood there wawing it good bye!

yea on that 3rd goal to see how everyone played that and then to look at the goalie and solely blame him for it is dumb.

they were basically asking to get scored on.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

yea on that 3rd goal to see how everyone played that and then to look at the goalie and solely blame him for it is dumb.

they were basically asking to get scored on.

This was my argument at the time, and it is poor coverage and he's only in part responsible for that one imo, but overall, he basically didn't give the team one important save all night in a game they limited the other team to almost nothing. That's part of being a goalie for successful teams is making a difficult save or two on any given night. It starts to feel like the only way you can win is if you limit absolutely everything and give 0 scoring chances, but that's not realistic.

 

[Norris4Norris]

If you watch the game and know hockey you can easily see that our absolute joke of a PK is what cost us this game.

Forsberg wasn't great. Sandy and Jensen had mistakes but it is the way we play on PK that is a big fkin joke and someone needs to be fired for it! Baumgartner?

56% through the last seven games and the eye test confirms it!

Fine to leave the opponents controlling the puck at the half wall without being overly agressive but when they can get all the way to the goal crease without anyone even trying to stick check or in other ways stop them it is a joke. Especially when we don't even manage to cover the other players for rebounds etc. It is like we play 3 on 5 instead of 4 on 5 and the record is more like that too.

56% pk through 7 games now and season may already be over. This loss was 100% on our brutal pk and I think this could well be the game we look back at as when the playoff train left and we stood there wawing it good bye!

I am not a coach nor do I know that much.

But I do know that a penalty kill can be taught in an effective manner. Less talented teams can outwork and outsmart more talented teams.

I think there is quite a fair bit of talent and speed on this team.

I a wondering where the disconnect is. There are definitely enough people in this world of hockey that know how to run an effective penalty kill. Why isn't one of them already on the coaching staff?

 

[Hale The Villain]

With Forsberg struggling I think now is the time to give Merilainen a few games.

Plan seems to be to let him and Sogaard battle it out for the backup spot next year.

Should see what we have in him. Certainly have seen enough of Sogaard.

 

[OD99]

With Forsberg struggling I think now is the time to give Merilainen a few games.

Plan seems to be to let him and Sogaard battle it out for the backup spot next year.

Should see what we have in him. Certainly have seen enough of Sogaard.

I am all for this, but he will need a few weeks in the A after coming back from injury. After that, let's see him get up here for a bit.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Forsberg will get one of the games this coming weekend. If he plays well, he will buy himself some grace. If it is another listless effort, I really hope they start moving on it. Would rather at least try Merilainen over rolling out the same guy struggling 2 years in a row now.

 

[OD99]

If you watch the game and know hockey you can easily see that our absolute joke of a PK is what cost us this game.

Forsberg wasn't great. Sandy and Jensen had mistakes but it is the way we play on PK that is a big fkin joke and someone needs to be fired for it! Baumgartner?

56% through the last seven games and the eye test confirms it!

Fine to leave the opponents controlling the puck at the half wall without being overly agressive but when they can get all the way to the goal crease without anyone even trying to stick check or in other ways stop them it is a joke. Especially when we don't even manage to cover the other players for rebounds etc. It is like we play 3 on 5 instead of 4 on 5 and the record is more like that too.

56% pk through 7 games now and season may already be over. This loss was 100% on our brutal pk and I think this could well be the game we look back at as when the playoff train left and we stood there wawing it good bye!

There is no arguing that the PK has been bad, but we can expect an NHL goalie to make a tough stop from time to time.

1 big save and the Senators win that game.

That said, the special teams in general need and overhaul. The PP is far too static with not enough set plays and the PK is just a mess.

 

[LiseL]

With Forsberg struggling I think now is the time to give Merilainen a few games.

Plan seems to be to let him and Sogaard battle it out for the backup spot next year.

Should see what we have in him. Certainly have seen enough of Sogaard.

I recall reading that Jensen stated at the beginning of the season that he was learning a new PK system so it was new to all of the players. Is it growing pains or is it not the right system for the players you have? Thankfully Green said PK needs some work so it sounds like this will be addressed.

But it's not only the PK, the Sens rarely challenge anyone coming into their zone. Why is that? You don't need to be huge to challenge a player and try to take the puck away or create a turnover. Because they just let them waltz in, It leads to great chances on the PK or getting hemmed in 5v5. Is this style of D all on Nolan? If so, Green has said the coaching is collaborative so it's time to collaborate coaches.

 

[Xspyrit]

First goal, Sandy doesn't clear in front of the net, leaving the guy with all day to put that one home.

2nd goal, pretty much the same. While he maybe had a play there Jensen just kinda lets up on McLean right before the pass comes.

Look at Hamonic on the first 2 goals.

 

[Sensrule]

I know we shit on him a lot because of his performances but it's very easy to root for Forsy especially how devastating the game against the Oilers a couple of seasons ago where he mess up both his knees.

Whatever the injury is this time around, hope he heals up fast. He's going to be critical for us if we want to make the playoffs with the tandem with Ullmark.

 

[bicboi64]

Forsberg finally has a game where his save percentage is above .900. Last time that happened, he had a shutout.

 

[darude]

You can't really blame yesterday's loss on him, that's for sure. He gave them a chance to win, just didn't get enough run support.

Hopefully new year, new Forsberg.

 

[thinkwild]

When we first claimed Forsberg, i never really expected much. But after a while he won me over. Took a year to come back from the dreaded double knee injury but he did seem to make it back. If i recall right, and i dont trust my memory much anymore lol, we were having debates about whether Ullmark should have to earn the spot from Forsberg who was looking good. Once he got a few games in him he looked good again. Took Ullmark a few games last time to look good again too.

I dont expect the elite level of Ullmark, but i do expect him to get on a roll and be good enough for the rest of the team to get their stuff together and find a way to win enough to get it done. Knocks on wood.

 

[DrEasy]

When we first claimed Forsberg, i never really expected much. But after a while he won me over. Took a year to come back from the dreaded double knee injury but he did seem to make it back. If i recall right, and i dont trust my memory much anymore lol, we were having debates about whether Ullmark should have to earn the spot from Forsberg who was looking good. Once he got a few games in him he looked good again. Took Ullmark a few games last time to look good again too.

I dont expect the elite level of Ullmark, but i do expect him to get on a roll and be good enough for the rest of the team to get their stuff together and find a way to win enough to get it done. Knocks on wood.

 

[Sens With Benefits]

He looked good last night. Couldn’t blame the goals on him. He really thrives when given multiple games to start and it looks like he will continue to start for the time being. I could see him get hot. There is also no one really available for cheap that would be better.

 

[bicboi64]

Forsberg doesn't have any offensive support from the team, but they play with as much confidence as they had in Korpisalo when Forsberg is in net. Really don't think he'll be a senator after this season.

 

[Boud]

Forsberg doesn't have any offensive support from the team, but they play with as much confidence as they had in Korpisalo when Forsberg is in net. Really don't think he'll be a senator after this season.

He won’t be here next season, I think that’s guaranteed.

The team completely left him out to dry today. Gave 4-5 breakaways (2 on PP) and some turnovers in the slot. Whoever is in net loses that game. Could’ve been Ulllmark we would’ve lost.

I don’t buy the playing with as much confidence as they did in Korpisalo. They’re flat and they don’t execute plays offensively. No cohesion from anyone. Massive mistakes defensively, not support from the forwards. They are playing like the opposite of a team that doesn’t trust their goalie.

Not many teams in this league are getting Ullmark level goaltending on a regular basis. The average save % league wide for the 2024-25 season is .900

The average goalie in today’s NHL is not near Ullmark’s level of play. That’s Kotchetkov/Lukkonen/Skinner level goaltending. All goalies that aren’t legit starters. You look at the last games we lost we don’t win with that type of goaltending. We need elite goaltending to get by. This team is not nearly good enough to get into the playoffs right now.

 

[Beech]

knees that don't belong to him, but belong to a good Doctor.
32 years old

We may be seeing the end. Let's hope not, and let's hope he rebounds