Mackenzie Weegar vs Gustav Forsling

[Felidae]

Both drafted in late rounds with not much expectation around them, but both developed in Florida to become very underrated 1st pairing defenseman with similar production and games played so far into their careers.

Who is the better defenseman? Who do you think has peaked higher, and who has been better overall throughout their careers so far?



Makenzie Weegar

Career stats

GP489. G54. A161. P215

EVG 47. EVP 179

BLK 848. HIT 1043

TK 299. GV 466

ATOI 20:32

Norris record: 8, 14


Gustav Forsling

GP417. G49. A123. P172

EVG 44. EVP 151

BLK 464. HIT 350

TK 198. GV 278

ATOI 20:33

Norris record: 9

Click to read more...

 

[Jwads]

I doubt many FLA fans choose Weegar

 

[Dread Clawz]

Forsling is better. Weegar had a little more time to figure things out, and maybe a steadier situation coming up. He was also paired a lot with Ekblad when he was good. Weegar has settled his game down again in Calgary, but overall Forsling has been steadier in his career. Look at the numbers:
MW
TK 299 GV466

GF
TK 198 GV 278

Florida also got much farther in the playoffs with Forsling on the top pair than Weegar on the top pair.

 

[Coffee]

Forsling

 

[Felidae]

I doubt many FLA fans choose Weegar

Yeah for sure. Weegar's last season kinda ended on a sour note, making a lot of egregious mistakes those playoffs.

Forsling has been a steady presence since he got here, and I can't even remember the last time the Panthers board collectively criticized his play.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

I doubt many FLA fans choose Weegar

I voted Weegs for the higher peak, Gustav overall.

 

[Coffee]

I voted Weegs for the higher peak, Gustav overall.

3rd time ever we agreed on something on this site

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

As someone who was on the bandwagon of both players before it was cool (Weegar when he was playing with Bogdan Kiselevich, Forsling off of waivers in 2021), the answer is... tough.

I will pick Forsling, just because he's been consistently great in the playoffs, while Weegar became recklessly stupid (to the point of becoming a detriment) in both postseason appearances for the Cats.

Weegar is great, though. Absolutely love the guy when he's playing his game and not being a bonehead... which certainly appears to be the case in Calgary.

 

[Sticksandsun]

Overall package is Forsling, his only weakness to Weegar is total offense and a lot less physical play.
Love both of their stories to the NHL with a slight advantage to Weegar since Florida drafted him.

As pointed above, Weegar is a little too aggressive and offensive minded sometimes where Forsling rarely gets caught out of position.

Weegar: lots of offense, physicality and solid personality in the locker room. Leader and also ability to play on left side as well.

Forsling: Incredibly smart 2 way D with smooth skating and never seems to get hurt while putting up decent offense without PP chances.

Ultimately I went:

• Weegar better peak, Forsling overall

 

[gritdash60]

I couldn't pick one, almost did Forsling for the playoffs he did last year but i think Weegar could've had similar run. Very interesting to see that they are so close in almost all stats, also wouldve thought both had 200 less games than they do tbh.

Edit: if there was an option for "Forsling now, undecided on the future" i would pick that one.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Love both. Weegar was pretty fun to watch minus the absolutely egregious mistakes that happened in playoffs. That being said Forsling just makes me never worry at all and that’s what you want in a defenseman.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Forsling doesn't blossom into a #1D If Florida keeps Weegar.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Forsling doesn't blossom into a #1D If Florida keeps Weegar.

He was playing the same way he did with Weegar as he does with Ekblad, in 2022-23, after Ekblad went down. By that I mean he played the less risky game and used his speed to cover for his d partner. They are both solid d-men, with different strengths and weaknesses.