The Florida Panthers have secured defenseman Gustav Forsling with an eight-year contract extension, reportedly valued at $46 million. The 27-year-old, originally a fifth-round draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2014, was subsequently traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. After being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021, he was waived and became a free agent in July.
After that, the Panthers acquired Forsling via waivers from the Hurricanes and subsequently signed him to a three-year contract extension. Before joining Florida, Forsling had brief stints with the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks.
The 27-year-old Swedish defender has consistently contributed to the Panthers since his arrival. Gustav Forsling has participated in 258 games, amassing 126 points (37 goals, 89 assists). In the current season, the Swedish player has accumulated 31 points (nine goals, 22 assists) and boasts a league-leading plus-43 rating in 62 games.
It sends a message that guys want to play here, and guys are willing to buy in.
Bill Zito, Panthers general manager
In the 2022-23 season, he solidified his position as a dependable top-four defenseman for the competitive Florida Panthers, achieving a career-high with 41 points while participating in all 82 games for the first time. With an average ice time of 23:26 last year, Forsling showcased his comfort on home turf in Sunrise, and this newly inked contract ensures his continued presence.
In the current season, Forsling has maintained a strong performance with 31 points in 63 games, often logging nearly 22 minutes per night, particularly in defensive scenarios. His offensive contributions become even more noteworthy considering his significant time spent on penalty killing, boasting a defensive zone start percentage (dSZ%) of nearly 60%.
Zito remembered that scouts were fervently advocating for Florida to make the move. Since then, everything has seamlessly fallen into place. He has only missed a single game since the beginning of last season—his absence in January was to witness the birth of his son. Currently, he boasts nine goals and 22 assists in this season.
Significance of Gustav Forsling's Extension
After an unexpected journey to the Stanley Cup finals, the Florida Panthers commenced the 2023-24 season as formidable contenders. However, they faced challenges, with key players Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour missing significant time due to injuries. The reliability of Forsling has been crucial in overcoming these hurdles.
Securing critical assets when they are available holds immense value. As the current leader of the Atlantic Division, Florida is poised to be formidable in the upcoming playoffs. Contracts like Forsling's boost players' confidence, further fortifying the team's strength.
Panthers Extend Gadjovich; Tarasenko's Debut
On another note, the Florida Panthers have confirmed a two-year contract extension for forward Jonah Gadjovich, securing his services through the 2025-26 season.
General manager Bill Zito expressed satisfaction, stating, "Jonah's competitiveness and physicality have meshed seamlessly with our style of play here in South Florida. We are pleased to have him continue his career with the Panthers."
Gadjovich, 25, has contributed four points (two goals, two assists) in 33 games, leading the Panthers in penalty minutes with 90 and registering 71 hits. This marks his inaugural season with the Panthers after previous stints with the Canucks (2020-21) and San Jose Sharks (2021-23), totaling 112 NHL games with 14 points (six goals, eight assists).
Before entering the professional realm, Gadjovich played four seasons (2014-15 to 2017-18) with the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), totaling 155 points (89 goals, 66 assists) in 228 regular-season games.
With a stellar record of 43-16-4, the Panthers take on the Flyers with the best standing in the NHL.