In the 1991 NHL draft, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers at number 6. During his 13-year NHL career, Forsberg played for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators.
He won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. In 1995, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy and was part of the NHL All-Rookie Team. Forsberg was selected to the NHL's first all-star team in 1998, 1999 and 2003. He also won the Art Ross Trophy, the Bud Light Plus/Minus Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2003. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. Forsberg represented Sweden in international competitions, winning gold at the 1992 World Championships, the 1994 Olympics and the 2006 Olympics. In 2014, he was the eightieth player in points per game and the fifth player in assists per game in his career. Forsberg was inducted into the IIHL Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.
