The Next Forsling

[BKarchitect]

I mean if we had a good idea who the next Forsling was, he wouldn’t be the next Forsling lol.

I’d probably take a wild stab at Oliver Kylington. Like Forsling, he's a gorgeous skating Swede, similar average build...and as a prospect anyways, Kylington was known for his hockey sense and two-way IQ, which Forsling has in spades.

Kylington obviously has some hurdles to overcome but being in that Colorado system seems like a perfect short-term marriage to see if he's got something left to unlock. And Kylington had a really, really good 2021-22 season with the Flames before things just fell apart. So I think there could be something there if he's mentally in a good space to play NHL hockey.

To my, stylistically, he's a much better fit for this equation than fellow Swede Boqvist.

 

[Breakers]

Chatfield maybe

 

[Pavels Dog]

One of Albert Johansson, Shai Buium and William Wallinder. It's just hard to know which one.

 

[67 others]

I mean if we had a good idea who the next Forsling was, he wouldn’t be the next Forsling lol.

I’d probably take a wild stab at Oliver Kylington. Like Forsling, he's a gorgeous skating Swede, similar average build...and as a prospect anyways, Kylington was known for his hockey sense and two-way IQ, which Forsling has in spades.

Kylington obviously has some hurdles to overcome but being in that Colorado system seems like a perfect short-term marriage to see if he's got something left to unlock. And Kylington had a really, really good 2021-22 season with the Flames before things just fell apart. So I think there could be something there if he's mentally in a good space to play NHL hockey.

To my, stylistically, he's a much better fit for this equation than fellow Swede Boqvist.

OK, I love Kylington. But he dropped his draft year because he was a one way offensive defenseman whom we were not sure could become an NHL dman.

He wasn't known for his two way IQ in any capacity. He's grown into that

 

[BKarchitect]

OK, I love Kylington. But he dropped his draft year because he was a one way offensive defenseman whom we were not sure could become an NHL dman.

He wasn't known for his two way IQ in any capacity. He's grown into that

These are all separate scouting reports from 2015. Plenty of folks saw the foundations of a two-way player even if he was rough around the edges as 17 year defenders are want to be. If anything, scouts were fading his offensive upside by the time the draft rolled around, considering when he was younger there were talks of an EK-esque defender.

“While an injury unfortunatately kept Kylington out of the World Juniors, he has played for Sweden at the Ivan Hlinka tournament where he was very impressive. An outstanding two-way defenceman, Kylington is a strong skater who can rush the puck and get back into position defensively. He has an excellent stride, which gives him great speed and acceleration in both directions. Excellent agility, edge work, and pivots give him the mobility to cover all areas of the ice. Kylington shows good passing skills and excellent vision. Defensively his game relies on strong positioning, and a quick stick to take the puck off opponents and start the transition game.“

“ “Exceptionally poised, mature, two-way defenseman…”

“ You shouldn’t look past Kylington’s defensive game either. His skating allows him to get back into the play if he gets caught out of position, however, he rarely ever does. Kylington’s gap control on the backend is what has him ranked highly across the board. The only concerning part about him is that he’s relatively skinny and gets knocked around easily.”

“ A smart two-way defenseman, who has tremendous feeling for the game and reads the plays well. ”

 

[Toene]

Lol yeah such a defensively sound d structure that they missed the playoffs while the Oilers went to game seven. How stupid did this post sound in your head when you came up with it?

Oilers defense is terribad, except for Ekholm, who's not getting younger. They went to the finals because McDrai, Hyman. Not because of their defense.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I'd like to finally see if Ville Heinola has what it takes in the NHL, looks like he's no longer waiver exempt.

 

[67 others]

These are all separate scouting reports from 2015. Plenty of folks saw the foundations of a two-way player even if he was rough around the edges as 17 year defenders are want to be. If anything, scouts were fading his offensive upside by the time the draft rolled around, considering when he was younger there were talks of an EK-esque defender.

“While an injury unfortunatately kept Kylington out of the World Juniors, he has played for Sweden at the Ivan Hlinka tournament where he was very impressive. An outstanding two-way defenceman, Kylington is a strong skater who can rush the puck and get back into position defensively. He has an excellent stride, which gives him great speed and acceleration in both directions. Excellent agility, edge work, and pivots give him the mobility to cover all areas of the ice. Kylington shows good passing skills and excellent vision. Defensively his game relies on strong positioning, and a quick stick to take the puck off opponents and start the transition game.“

“ “Exceptionally poised, mature, two-way defenseman…”

“ You shouldn’t look past Kylington’s defensive game either. His skating allows him to get back into the play if he gets caught out of position, however, he rarely ever does. Kylington’s gap control on the backend is what has him ranked highly across the board. The only concerning part about him is that he’s relatively skinny and gets knocked around easily.”

“ A smart two-way defenseman, who has tremendous feeling for the game and reads the plays well. ”

You can post all the scouting reports you like. I can probably post 10x more with alarming concern to his positioning and weakness on the puck.


He was originally thought of as a top 5-10 pick in Mcdavid/Eichel's year, then his value dropped bad his draft season. He was often ranked somewhere between 20-35. The overwhelming theme Was his not good defensive play and He ended up dropping to 60

Personally I wanted the Sharks to take a chance on him or Jeremy Roy. I love Kylington's skating(close to league best). And they traded traded up for Jeremy Roy instead, which was a huge blunder in retrospect.
But Kylington is 27 going on 28 years old and hasn't ever given any sign he will become more than a top 4, 2nd PP guy.

If he were a younger RHD I would still want the sharks to give him a try. But we have a logjam on LHD. He is so smooth on skates on the attack.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Oilers defense is terribad, except for Ekholm, who's not getting younger. They went to the finals because McDrai, Hyman. Not because of their defense.

If the Oilers defense and goaltending was so bad last year, why were they near the top of the league in every defensive metric out there after their coaching change? Bouchard just finished near the top in Norris voting, Ekholm as you mentioned, is a stud, Kulak has been an anchor on one of the best 3rd pair's in the league. It was only the Nurse-Ceci pairing that ever gave us much to worry about, and that's getting a 50% makeover.

On topic, I'm hoping the answer to this question is Ty Emberson, ha ha.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Predicting who the next Forsling is directly negates said player being the next forsling..... That's the whole point of forsling's story

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Tom Willander is my prediction for the next Forsling. His defensive play with a growing offensive game makes me think he is the perfect candidate to play a very similar style.

 

[jaric1862]

Juuso Välimäki

 

[vancityluongo]

nick perbix, although the story is different

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Probably whoever Bill Zito gets

Seriously. Florida's pro scouting is stupid good.

 

[StreetHawk]

Tom Willander is my prediction for the next Forsling. His defensive play with a growing offensive game makes me think he is the perfect candidate to play a very similar style.

Not exactly the same situation unless Tom were to go through a couple of other NHL teams.

Forsling was dealt from Van to Chi as a teen. Played parts of 3 seasons with Chicago with time in the AHL each season, to close to a 55/45 split or something. Dealt to Car after his elc as part of the DeHaan trade. Waived by Car and spent the entire year in the A. Waived by Car again the following season but claimed by Fla.

Looking at someone who hasn't on their current team shown much at the NHL level. Maybe a change of scenery can get them going.

Again, situations do matter for most players. Can be the difference between no or a marginal NHL career and a good career where you end up earning $30 mill plus.

 

[Bubbles]

Anytime someone mentions Forsling, a Canucks fan dies inside.

But than again, it took him 3 different teams and waivers a few times before he figured it all out.

I'm just pissed that we almost had unending line of Swedish blueliners from Ohlund to Edler to Forsling.

 

[ScottyMascotty]

Is it the next Forsling or is Forsling the current Stralman?

Was Stralman ever a #1D?

 

[SML2]

Zac Jones will turn out to be a pretty good player if he is given an opportunity.

 

[Laus723]

Marginal depth player?

Gustav Forsling just improved over time pretty consistently. He joined Panthers when he was, what, 24? And had a steady trajectory.

So whoever ends up being what you described, it won't be the next Forsling.

you think Forsling is a marginal depth player?

 

[Nico Hischier]

Sharangovich popped off for Calgary last year and probably will build off it

Zetterlund might be next to do well in San Jose

 

[VeteranPresence]

Jalen Chatfield and Nick Perbix are probably ready for their coming-out party this year after making good in top four roles last season, but I'm looking for Gustav Lindstrom and Ty Emberson to really surprise if they get an opportunity. Emberson may even get a look next to Darnell Nurse for an extended period in camp if Broberg ends up a Blue and no other trades materialize before then.

 

[Regal]

you think Forsling is a marginal depth player?

He’s taking issue with the OP using the term in reference to someone mimicking Forsling’s rise. Though I don’t see the issue. He was a marginal depth player until he got to Florida.

 

[AddyTheWrath]

Emberson

 

[Yepthatsme]

Jesper Boqvist is the future


Someone who shoots free out of vegas could be that guy.

Maybe Miromanev

Flames fan here who has been beating the Miromanov drum this offseason on the Calgary boards. While coming back from a season and a half of hockey lost to an ACL injury, and with a previous 25 games of NHL experience to his name, he stepped in to Calgary and played 20 minutes a night without looking at all out of place. His AHL numbers the last 3 years are stellar (64 points in 89 games), and him converting to defense from forward in his 20s probably gives him a longer laneway for improvement.

This season he will be coming in healthy with a full training camp, practically guaranteed a top 3 role on Calgary’s poor blue line, and Calgary has a strong history with developing and turning around the careers of defenseman.

Not saying he’s a guaranteed gem, but if you’re looking for a guy who could come out of nowhere to be a household name he’s a strong candidate.

 

[bert]

Brannstrom

Too bad he cant skate like forsling and is 3 inches shorter. If he was the same size and was as good a skater he would still be a Senator. Kylington seems like a much more likely candidate.