The Transformation of Doldisen: "A Bit Clumsy and Comfortable"

From unwanted to one of the world's hottest backs. Gustav Forsling, 27, has made a spectacular journey in the NHL with Florida Panthers – and can now crown it by becoming Stanley Cup champion. I could think of him winning the Norris Trophy within three to four years, says Tomas Montén, his former coach in Linköping.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 08 2024

The Transformation of Doldisen: "A Bit Clumsy and Comfortable"
Photo: Julia Nikhinson/AP/TT

From unwanted to one of the world's hottest backs. Gustav Forsling, 27, has made a spectacular journey in the NHL with Florida Panthers – and can now crown it by becoming Stanley Cup champion. When the Stanley Cup Finals between Florida and Edmonton start on Sunday night, it will be the culmination of a playoff where the former Linköping defenseman is one of the players most talked about. He is fourth in the back's scoring list in the playoffs – 4 goals and 11 points in 17 matches – and second in the plus/minus statistics (+11). In the latter category, he was the best of all (+51) during the regular season. At home in Sweden, he is relatively unknown and in the shadow of successful blue-and-yellow NHL defenders such as Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, and Rasmus Dahlin, all three of whom played for Tre Kronor in the Czech Republic in May. Montén has been Forsling's coach in three different teams, Linköping J20 (head coach), A-team (assistant) and JVM-team (assistant) when the back was still a junior. He shone even then, but Montén also describes him as a bit comfortable: Gustav Forsling had just turned 20 when he left his hometown club Linköping for the NHL in 2016. First in Chicago, where he played in the NHL and farm team, then in Carolina where he only played in the farm team. When he was signed by Florida in January 2021, it was from the so-called waivers list, where unwanted players or those sent to the farm team end up. Since then, his career has gone straight up and in the winter he signed an eight-year contract extension worth 480 million kronor. At home in Sweden, he was primarily an offensive defenseman, now he is a two-way player. Montén sees that he can take even more offense. Then he will be an even bigger challenger for the Norris Trophy, the prize for the best NHL defenseman. But first, he has to stop the stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton – then Florida can win its first Stanley Cup title. Florida Oliver Ekman Larsson, 32, defenseman. Hometown: Tingsryd. First Stanley Cup Finals. Playoff record so far: 17 matches – 1 goal – 3 assists – 4 points. Greatest achievements: Two World Championship gold medals, 2017 and 2018. Gustav Forsling, 27, defenseman. Hometown: Linköping. Second Stanley Cup Finals, loss to Vegas last year. Playoff record: 17 – 4 – 7 – 11. Greatest achievements: Junior of the year in Swedish ice hockey 2015-16. Kevin Stenlund, 27, forward. Hometown: IFK Tumba. First Stanley Cup Finals. Playoff record: 17 – 0 – 1 – 1. Greatest achievements: SM-gold with HV71 2017. Edmonton Mattias Ekholm, 34, defenseman. Hometown: IFK Ore. Second Stanley Cup Finals, loss to Pittsburgh with Nashville 2017. Playoff record: 18 – 4 – 3 – 7. Greatest achievements: World Championship gold 2018, SM-gold with Brynäs 2012. Philipp Broberg, 22, defenseman. Hometown: Örebro. First Stanley Cup Finals. Playoff record: 3 – 1 – 0 – 1. Greatest achievements: World Championship gold U18, 2019. Mattias Janmark, 31, forward. Hometown: Stocksund. Second Stanley Cup Finals, loss to Tampa Bay with Dallas 2020. Playoff record: 18 – 2 – 2 – 4. Greatest achievements: World Championship gold 2018. Schedule for the Stanley Cup Finals (Swedish times): Sunday, June 9, 02:00: Florida-Edmonton. Tuesday, June 11, 02:00: Florida-Edmonton. Friday, June 14, 02:00: Edmonton-Florida. Sunday, June 16, 02:00: Edmonton-Florida. Wednesday, June 19, 02:00 (if necessary): Florida-Edmonton. Saturday, June 22, 02:00 (if necessary): Edmonton-Florida. Tuesday, June 25, 02:00 (if necessary): Florida-Edmonton.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

AIK Football Parts Ways with
1 MIN READ

AIK Football Parts Ways with Sports Manager Thomas Berntsen

Coach Anders Torstensson Embraces Life
3 MIN READ

Coach Anders Torstensson Embraces Life with Cancer While Leading Mjällby

Swedish Duo Olofsson and Karlsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish Duo Olofsson and Karlsson Lead Vegas to Victory Over Chicago

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina to
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina to Compete Under Australian Flag

Brazil Parts Ways with Coach
1 MIN READ

Brazil Parts Ways with Coach Dorival Júnior After Argentina Defeat

Pontus Andreasson Leads Luleå to
3 MIN READ

Pontus Andreasson Leads Luleå to Semifinals with Overtime Win

Swedish Ice Dance Duo Falls
1 MIN READ

Swedish Ice Dance Duo Falls Short of World Championship Final

Sweden Dominates Finland 8-3 in
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates Finland 8-3 in Bandy World Championship Preview

Brynäs Triumphs Over Malmö 3-2
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Triumphs Over Malmö 3-2 Without Captain Larsson

Genre image
1 MIN READ

IFK Göteborg Mourns Passing of Club Legend Nils "Tidan" Johansson

Usyk Eyes Boxing Return to
1 MIN READ

Usyk Eyes Boxing Return to Support Ukraine and Reclaim Title

Swedish Duo Hellvig and Åhman
2 MIN READ

Swedish Duo Hellvig and Åhman Shine in Beach Volleyball World Championship

Bayern Munich Considers Legal Action
1 MIN READ

Bayern Munich Considers Legal Action Against Canada Over Davies Injury

SHL Schedules Urgent Meeting Over
1 MIN READ

SHL Schedules Urgent Meeting Over Referee Criticism in Playoffs

Swedish Top League to Implement
1 MIN READ

Swedish Top League to Implement Personal Tickets to Curb Hooliganism

Allsvenskan Kicks Off: What to
3 MIN READ

Allsvenskan Kicks Off: What to Expect in the Premiere Round

Swedish F1 Prospect Dino Beganovic
2 MIN READ

Swedish F1 Prospect Dino Beganovic Joins Hamilton in Bahrain Practice

Dani Alves Cleared of Rape
1 MIN READ

Dani Alves Cleared of Rape Charge Due to Insufficient Evidence

Carlo Ancelotti Faces Trial for
2 MIN READ

Carlo Ancelotti Faces Trial for Tax Fraud in Spain

Swedish Footballers Flee Bangkok Quake:
2 MIN READ

Swedish Footballers Flee Bangkok Quake: A Harrowing Escape

Samuelsson Withdraws from Swedish Championship
1 MIN READ

Samuelsson Withdraws from Swedish Championship Due to Sore Throat

Finnvedsvallen Cleared for IFK Värnamo's
1 MIN READ

Finnvedsvallen Cleared for IFK Värnamo's Allsvenskan Opener

German Ski Jumper Philipp Raimund
1 MIN READ

German Ski Jumper Philipp Raimund Skips Planica Due to Fear of Heights

Färjestad's Viktor Lodin Suspended, to
1 MIN READ

Färjestad's Viktor Lodin Suspended, to Miss Key Quarterfinal Match

Nylander Sets New Personal Best,
1 MIN READ

Nylander Sets New Personal Best, Eyes Loob's Swedish Goal Record

Swedish Football Faces Sponsorship Challenges
2 MIN READ

Swedish Football Faces Sponsorship Challenges Over Fan Conduct

Maradona's Agonizing Final Hours Highlighted
1 MIN READ

Maradona's Agonizing Final Hours Highlighted in Trial Testimony

Djokovic Advances to Miami Semifinals,
1 MIN READ

Djokovic Advances to Miami Semifinals, Sets New Masters Record

Färjestad Faces Quarterfinal Exit After
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Faces Quarterfinal Exit After Controversial Loss to Skellefteå

AIK Forces Decisive Game 7
2 MIN READ

AIK Forces Decisive Game 7 Against Björklöven in Hockey Allsvenskan

Björn Scores as Chelsea Overcomes
2 MIN READ

Björn Scores as Chelsea Overcomes Man City to Reach Champions League Semis

Shiffrin Clinches 101st World Cup
2 MIN READ

Shiffrin Clinches 101st World Cup Win as Swedes Struggle in Sun Valley

Nordebäck Secures Spot in World
1 MIN READ

Nordebäck Secures Spot in World Championship Final in Boston

Sweden Dominates Finland 13-1 to
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates Finland 13-1 to Reach Bandy World Championship Final

Hockey Legend Magnus Johansson Returns
1 MIN READ

Hockey Legend Magnus Johansson Returns to Linköping as Assistant Coach

Kinhult Ties for Lead at
1 MIN READ

Kinhult Ties for Lead at Indian Open on DP World Tour

Swedish Equestrian Federation Supports Falsterbo's
2 MIN READ

Swedish Equestrian Federation Supports Falsterbo's Decision to End Partnership

Sweden Faces Tough Group in
2 MIN READ

Sweden Faces Tough Group in European Basketball Championship

Malmö FF Eyes Third Straight
3 MIN READ

Malmö FF Eyes Third Straight Title as Christiansen Returns Strong

Philadelphia Flyers Part Ways with
1 MIN READ

Philadelphia Flyers Part Ways with Coach Tortorella After Struggles