SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zitoannounced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Gustav Forsling on an eight-year contract extension through the 2031-32 season.
“Over his four seasons in South Florida, Gustav has developed into one of the most complete defensemen in the National Hockey League,” said Zito. “His career is an example of how far hard work and total commitment to improvement can take a person. We’re proud that Gustav will remain a Florida Panther.”
Forsling, 27, has skated in 62 games with Florida this season, leading Florida’s blueliners with 31 points (9-22-31) and 127 shots on goal while his nine goals are tied for the lead among the group. He leads all NHL skaters this season with a plus-44 rating, and his 1,350:26 total time on ice is the most on the Panthers.
The 6-foot, 195-pound native of Linkoping, Sweden, has amassed 153 points (45-108-153) over 380 NHL games between the Chicago Blackhawks (2016-17 to 2018-19) and Florida (2020-21 to 2023-24). Since joining Florida prior to the 2020-21 season, Forsling has totaled 126 points (37-89-126) across 258 games and his cumulative plus-121 rating over that span is the best by a defenseman in club history and ranks second among all NHL skaters over that span.
Forsling set career highs in goals (13), assists (28) and points (41) in 2022-23 while leading Florida defensemen with a plus-19 rating. He has skated in 37 Stanley Cup Playoff games as a member of the Panthers, registering 13 points (3-10-13) and a plus-15 rating.
Prior to his North American career, Forsling played for the Linköping HC organization including two professional seasons in the Swedish Hockey League. As a junior player in 2015-16 with Linköping HC J20, Forsling was named best defenseman and Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year.
On the international stage, Forsling represented Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, he led the tournament's defensemen in goals (3), assists (5) and points (8) and in 2016 was tied for the lead among the tournament's defensemen in goals (2).
Acquired off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 9, 2021, Forsling was originally selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round (126th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.
2023-24 Florida Panthers single game tickets are on sale now! Single game tickets can be purchased at SeatGeek.com or at Amerant Bank Arena Box Office (Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM). Florida Panthers Territory Members will receive special benefits and experiences all season long as the Cats celebrate their 30th anniversary season. Visit FloridaPanthers.com/TerritoryMemberships to learn more or fill out this interest form.
