As the trade deadline approaches the Chicago Blackhawks appear to be entertaining the possibility of being sellers rather than buyers for the second consecutive season. Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks brass have certainly been evaluating their roster this season in an effort to determine which players are part of their long term future and which players can net a prospect or a draft pick in return. For some players on the roster it is obvious which category, but there are a few that an argument could be made for both groups. One such player is defenseman Gustav Forsling.
Originally acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on January 29, 2015, the move was seen as questionable at the time. The Blackhawks sent defenseman Adam Clendening to the Canucks in exchange for Forsling. The reason this was seen as puzzling was because Clendening was one of the top prospects in the organization and had played four games with the NHL club that season showing that he was ready for NHL play. One of the Blackhawks main problems that season was defensive depth so why would they trade a promising defenseman who was on the cusp of becoming an NHL regular for an even younger one who wasn’t close to being ready?
The answer according to Stan Bowman, had to do with the impressive showing he put on at the World Junior Championships. The Hawks were impressed with the offensive skill he displayed and thought he had the makings of a productive NHLer. Clendening also may not have had a long term spot on the organizations blueline as the front office was more impressed with Stephen Johns and Trevor Van Riemsdyk going forward. Forsling would soar up the organizational depth chart in the following seasons. He would make the team out of training camp in 2016 which came as a surprise to many and showed flashes of potential but was sent to Rockford in favor of more ice time. The past two seasons have been a rollercoaster for the young Swede and he’s shown he can be difference maker in the offensive zone at times but has struggled in the defensive zone. As he approaches the end of his contract and the front office is trying to move defensemen to make room for their top prospects the question now stands, what will the Blackhawks do with Forsling?
There are plenty of arguments for why the Hawks should keep Forsling. One being that he is still young, at just 22 years old and with 100 career games played there is still room for improvement. He plays an offensive orientated game and is quick on his feet which is the direction the NHL is going in terms of defensemen. Forsling is four years younger than Erik Gustafsson who has a high offensive upside but struggles defensively. When choosing which of the two to trade and which to keep for next season it may make sense to keep the younger of the two. The hope is that Forsling can get rid of his defensive difficulties and reach a higher ceiling than Gustafsson.
There are also a few arguments to trade Forsling. With the influx of young defensmen coming plus the veterans already under contract there may not be room for Forsling in the future plans. If that is the case it makes sense to try and get a prospect or draft pick for him. Forsling is still young and might been an attractive piece for an organization looking to improve their defense. After three seasons with the big club it may just be time to move on from Forsling and give someone else a chance.
With the end of the season and the Blackhawks apparently entering sell mode Forsling won’t be the only player the front office will have to evaluate. It figures to be an exciting few months for Chicago’s NHL team and we hear at UTL will be covering all of it.
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