"No, I'm not trying to trade Filip Forsberg, I'm trying to sign Filip Forsberg," Poile said in an interview with 102.5 The Game in Nashville. "It hasn't been done. I don't know when it's going to get done. I don't have the crystal ball to say it will get done. Both sides want it to happen, but it hasn't happened now.
"As of today, I can tell you, clearly, we are trying to sign Filip Forsberg."
Bally Sports Midwest reported Feb. 23 the Predators were actively shopping the forward, who is in the final season of a six-year, $36 million contract ($6 million average annual value) and can become an unrestricted free agent.
"It's helpful that Filip's representation ... we know each other, I think we trust each other in terms of what we're trying to accomplish," Poile said. "Obviously, we don't agree where we are, or we would have had a deal done by now. I think we just continue moving on. He knows that I haven't been shopping him. I think Filip knows that. It's out there and you hear it and then you have to react to it. That's where we are today."
Forsberg leads the Predators with 27 goals in 40 games and is third with 45 points behind defenseman Roman Josi (53) and forward Matt Duchene (46).
"I'm not the first guy and definitely not the last that's put in this position," Forsberg said Tuesday, according to the radio station. "Like I said at the start of the year, I signed a six-year deal and this is year six. Obviously I'd love to sign another one but at the same time, it's not all in my hands. It's a team effort that we're trying to work toward. At the end of the day, like I said, the only thing I can focus on right now is playing good hockey and trying to win games."
Chris Mason, a retired Predators goalie and current television color commentator for Bally Sports South, said he's confident Forsberg will re-sign and stay in Nashville on a long-term contract.
"I guess there's probably people inquiring, and that's what happens when you see a potential free agent, teams are going to do their due diligence," Mason told the "NHL @TheRink" podcast on Feb. 25. "I think there's every intent to get him signed. I mean, I've heard absolutely nothing other than that. Both sides want to get it done. But, of course, the longer it goes people start speculating.
"I'm sure calls have been made to David Poile, but I know that he 1,000 percent wants to get this deal done, and I've heard from Forsberg's side of things they want to get this done. We'll have to see how this plays out. I expect him to get signed. I don't know that for certain but that's my expectation."
Nashville (30-19-4) plays at the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, SN360, TVAS, NHL LIVE), its first game since a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Feb. 26.
