Former Canucks Defender Making A Case For The 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy
Former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Gustav Forsling is having an incredible playoff for the Florida Panthers.
Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports - Former Canucks Defender Making A Case For The 2024 Conn Smythe TrophyThe Gustav Forsling trade will go down as one of the worst trades in franchise history. Back in 2015, then GM Jim Benning traded Forsling to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenceman Adam Clendening. Nine years later, Forsling has developed into a star and is in consideration for the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy.
Forsling has thrived this postseason with the Florida Panthers and has become one of their not just top defenders but players overall. He sits second on the team in time on ice at 23:14, while his plus/minus rating of +12 is second in the NHL behind Evan Bouchard. Used in a shutdown role, Forsling successfully held David Pasternak and Nikita Kucherov during the first two rounds and has been able to limit the production of the New York Rangers' top players at even strength throughout the Eastern Conference Final.
As for the betting world, Forsling has continued to move up the Conn Smythe Trophy odds list throughout the playoffs. According to BETMGM, he is tied for 15th with a current line of 81.00. For reference, that is higher than Jamie Benn, Zach Hyman and Mika Zibanejad. If Forsling can take home the prestigious award, he will become just the fourth Swedish-born player to take home the Conn Smythe, following in the footsteps of Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Victor Hedman.
The Forsling trade is a good lesson that this current Canucks regime should take note of. While current success is essential, letting prospects develop can be more valuable than trading them to plug holes on the main roster. While the Forsling trade may not be as bad as the Cam Neely trade, it is easily one of the worst in Vancouver's history and another example of how poorly run the Canucks organization was under Benning.
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