Happy 26th Birthday Gustav Forsling
Though he had some potential, Gustav Forsling was really no more than a defensive depth piece during his Blackhawks' career from 2016-19. The Vancouver Canucks initially drafted Forsling in 2014 before they traded his rights to Chicago the following January. After spending two seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, Forsling signed a three-year deal with the Blackhawks in May 2016 and spent the first three seasons of his NHL career in Chicago, skating in 123 games and putting up 27 points (8 goals and 19 assists).
He was then traded to the Carolina Hurricanes along with Anton Forsberg for Calvin de Haan and Aleksi Saarela on June 24, 2019. Forsling never played for the Hurricanes, spending the 2019-2020 season with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL before he was placed on waivers in January 2021, at which time he was claimed by the Florida Panthers.
Last season, his first with the Panthers, would not have excited many, finishing with 17 points, 5 goals and 12 assists, in 43 games. But there was a suggestion of offensive skill in those numbers in what amounted to what would have been a half-season's worth of games in normal times.
Then there was this season. He played 71 games and his 10 goals and 27 assists were both career-highs and third among Panther defensemen. His plus-41 led the team and tied for third in the league among d-men. Forsling also had three assists in 10 playoff games this season and was a plus-7.
At just 26 years old, Forsling seems to be coming into his own as a solid, puck-moving defenseman on a Florida team that figures to be a strong contender year in and year out. Pretty good waiver claim.
| POLL | ||
Who won the Forsling trade? | ||
| Hawks getting de Haan | 21 | 13.8 % |
| Canes getting Forsling/Forsberg | 60 | 39.5 % |
| Panthers who added him off waivers | 71 | 46.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
