Gustav Forsling (born 12 June 1996) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Forsling was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round (126th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, but did not play for the team. He previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks. Forsling won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024.

Gustav Forsling
Forsling with the Florida Panthers in 2023
Born (1996-06-12) 12 June 1996 (age 28)
Linköping, Sweden
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Florida Panthers
Linköpings HC
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL draft 126th overall, 2014
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 2014–present

Playing career

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A product of Linköpings HC, Forsling made his senior Swedish Hockey League debut with the club during the 2014–15 SHL season. After his selection by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Forsling's NHL rights were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Adam Clendening on 29 January 2015.[1]

On 11 May 2016, he inked a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[2] He made the Blackhawks opening night roster to begin his first North American season in 2016–17. On 13 November 2016, Forsling scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 win, against Al Montoya of the Montreal Canadiens.[3] He was later reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs on 6 January 2017.

On 24 June 2019, Forsling was traded by the Blackhawks, along with Anton Forsberg to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Calvin de Haan and Aleksi Saarela.[4]

On 8 January 2021, Forsling was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes prior to the delayed 2020–21 season. The following day, he was subsequently claimed by the Florida Panthers.[5] On 15 July 2021, the Panthers signed Forsling to a three-year, $8 million contract extension.[citation needed]

On 7 March 2024, Forsling was signed to an eight-year, $46 million contract extension by the Panthers.[6][7]

The Florida Panthers would reach the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2024 season and Forsling would earn his first career Stanley Cup championship when his side beat out the Edmonton Oilers in a Game seven victory on 24 June 2024. [8]

International play

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Forsling represented Sweden's junior national teams on several occasions. Serving as captain for Team Sweden, he was named to the All-Star Team at the 2016 World Junior Championship. He earned his first caps with Sweden's men's national team during the 2015–16 Euro Hockey Tour.

Personal life

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Forsling has an older brother, Hampus[9] and a younger brother, Hannes.[10]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Linköpings HC J18 9 3 0 3 0
2011–12 Linköpings HC J18 Allsv 18 2 3 5 10 3 0 1 1 0
2012–13 Linköpings HC J18 14 2 6 8 10
2012–13 Linköpings HC J18 Allsv 17 5 2 7 10 2 0 0 0 0
2012–13 Linköpings HC J20 14 0 1 1 8 1 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Linköpings HC J18 2 1 2 3 0
2013–14 Linköpings HC J18 Allsv 3 2 1 3 2 5 1 0 1 0
2013–14 Linköpings HC J20 44 6 12 18 36 2 1 3 4 2
2014–15 Linköpings HC SHL 38 3 3 6 8
2015–16 Linköpings HC SHL 48 6 15 21 4 6 1 2 3 4
2016–17 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 38 2 3 5 4
2016–17 Rockford IceHogs AHL 30 1 7 8 12
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 41 3 10 13 8
2017–18 Rockford IceHogs AHL 18 2 3 5 6 13 1 4 5 6
2018–19 Rockford IceHogs AHL 5 0 2 2 2
2018–19 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 43 3 6 9 30
2019–20 Charlotte Checkers AHL 57 8 18 26 30
2020–21 Florida Panthers NHL 43 5 12 17 8 6 1 1 2 0
2021–22 Florida Panthers NHL 71 10 27 37 18 10 0 3 3 4
2022–23 Florida Panthers NHL 82 13 28 41 40 21 2 6 8 10
2023–24 Florida Panthers NHL 79 10 29 39 43 24 4 9 13 12
SHL totals 86 9 18 27 12 6 1 2 3 4
NHL totals 397 46 115 161 151 61 7 19 26 26

International

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Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Sweden U17   6 0 2 2 2
2013 Sweden IH18 7th 4 0 0 0 6
2014 Sweden WJC18 4th 7 4 1 5 2
2015 Sweden WJC 4th 7 3 5 8 0
2016 Sweden WJC 4th 6 2 1 3 0
Junior totals 30 9 9 18 10

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
NHL
Plus-minus leader 2024
Stanley Cup champion 2024

References

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  1. ^ "Blackhawks acquire Forsling for Clendening". Chicago Blackhawks. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Blackhawks agree to terms with Forsling". blackhawks.nhl.com. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  3. ^ Kuc, Chris (13 November 2016). "Patrick Kane's goal leads Blackhawks past Canadiens in clash of top teams". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Blackhawks acquire De Haan, Saarela". The Sports Network. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Florida Panthers claim defenseman Gustav Forsling off waivers". Florida Panthers. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Gustav Forsling on Eight-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Florida Panthers extend Gustav Forsling on eight-year, $46M deal". TSN. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Top Cats: Panthers win their 1st Stanley Cup, top Oilers 2-1 in Game 7". AP News. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Hampus Forsling player profile". eliteprospects.com. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Hannes Forsling player profile". eliteprospects.com. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
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