"Just Takes A Little Bit Of Getting Used To": Derek Forbort Discusses Playing On The Right Side & The Canucks Recent Success On The Penalty Kill
Mar 26, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Derek Forbort (27) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDerek Forbort has been a great addition to the Vancouver Canucks blue line this season. The 33-year-old has nine points in 48 games and sits fourth on the team with 71 blocked shots. Forbort has also been a key member of the penalty kill, which ranks first in the NHL since February 1.
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Over the past two months, Forbort has been given a new challenge. While the left-shot defender usually plays on the left side, lately, he has been playing on the right when partnered with left-shot defenceman Elias Pettersson. As Forbort explains, this is a new challenge, but one that he is already getting used to.
"Yeah, it's been pretty new, said Forbort. "I've never really played the right side in the NHL before, but me and (Elias) Pettersson are kind of switching off on it depending on certain situations. He's got a better shot than me, so I'd rather him flying up on that side if I'm always on faceoffs and whatnot. But yeah, just takes a little bit of getting used to."
Playing on the oppositie side is no easy task. Many adjustments need to be made, including clearing pucks on the backhand. Another is not drifting out of position, which, as Forbort explains, is a tough habit to break.
"You're just used to the same route. So when you go over there, you're not really thinking about that kind of stuff. So you kind of naturally gravitate towards where you usually are. It's different over there, for sure."
Pettersson is not the only young defenceman Forbort has been partnered with, as he has also seen time next to Victor Mancini. The two young defensemen are currently rotating in and out of the lineup, with Forbort partnered beside whoever is playing. So far this season, Forbort has played at least 50 minutes of five-on-five with each and is impressed with what he has seen so far from Pettersson and Mancini.
"Each are really good players. Can move well. It's little communication things and little routes that you get used to a guy doing that kind of shakes things up a bit. You can tell in every game that they get a little more comfortable. And, you know, they're both great kids. I love working with them after practice and doing little drills with them. It's been really good from that point. They're both confident kids, and that's good when you're coming to the league."
Forbort has also been a key part of the penalty kill for the Canucks. As mentioned, since February 1, Vancouver leads the NHL with a 90.7% kill rate. During that time, Forbort has played 49:19, and has been on the ice for two goals for and zero goals against.
According to Natural Stat Trick, since February 1, which is the first day after the Canucks made trades with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, Forbort has been one of the most efficient penalty killers in the NHL. Of the 119 players who have played at least 40 minutes, he is the only skater not to be on the ice for a goal against. As Forbort explains, communication and being in sync with whoever is on the ice are some of the reasons why Vancouver's penalty kill has been so effective.
"I think we're just really dialed into our system right now. I mean, obviously, goals are going to go in just from shots and stuff like that, but we're all really on the same page with our system and different situations and how they present themselves. We know where we have to be at all times and when everyone's on the same page. It makes it a lot easier."
In the end, bringing Forbort in has been a smart move by the organization. He has not only had a successful season on the ice, but has turned into a mentor for some of the Canucks younger defensemen, who are expected to make pushed for full-time spots next season. A pending unrestricted free agent, bringing Forbort back for the 2025-26 season is one move Vancouver's management group should highly consider.
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