The Florida Panthers signed Gustav Forsling to an eight-year contract extension worth $5.75 million per season. He's one of the most complete defensemen in the NHL, says the Panthers GM.

Three years ago, the Florida Panthers claimed Gustav Forsling from the Carolina Hurricanes. The defenseman never played an NHL game for the Hurricanes, spending the 2019-20 season in the AHL and being placed on waivers before the shortened 2020-21 season got underway.

On Thursday, Panthers GM Bill Zito announced the team signed Forsling to an eight-year contract extension worth $5.75 million per season.

“Over his four seasons in South Florida, Gustav has developed into one of the most complete defensemen in the National Hockey League,” Zito said. “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.”

The 27-year-old from Linkoping, Sweden, fit right in with the Panthers from the get-go, logging nearly 20 minutes of ice time in 2020-21. Last season, he hit career highs with 13 goals, 28 assists, 41 points, 209 shots and 23:26 of ice time per game. In the 2023 playoffs, Forsling averaged 26 minutes per game as the Panthers got to the Stanley Cup final.

This season, Forsling is a top-pairing defender with Aaron Ekblad for the Panthers. He has nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in 62 games so far while logging 21:46 of ice time per game. His plus-44 rating is a career high.

Forsling's advanced stats also stand out. His 58.93 Corsi-for percentage at 5-on-5 leads the Panthers, meaning when he's on the ice, the team has more shot attempts-for than against than when any other Panther is on the ice. His expected goals-for percentage of 58.29 ranks fourth on the team and first among Panthers defensemen.

The former fifth-round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 NHL draft has been in four different NHL organizations, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Hurricanes and Panthers. In 380 career regular-season NHL games, Forsling has 45 goals, 108 assists and 153 points.

Also on Thursday, the Panthers signed forward Jonah Gadjovic to a two-year contract extension. The 25-year-old from Whitby, Ont., has two goals, four points and 71 hits in 33 games with the Panthers this season.

“Jonah’s competitiveness and physicality have meshed seamlessly with our style of play here in South Florida,” Zito said. “We are pleased to have him continue his career with the Panthers.”

For more reaction, check out The Hockey News' Florida Panthers site.