The Chicago Blackhawks are far from contending for the Stanley Cup, but two of their former players might soon achieve that milestone. Gustav Forsling, a defenseman now playing for the Florida Panthers, will compete against the Edmonton Oilers for the Stanley Cup. Forsling struggled to secure a spot in the Blackhawks’ lineup and was eventually traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, who also did not see his potential. However, the Panthers saw value in Forsling, claimed him off waivers, and developed him into a defenseman worthy of Norris Trophy consideration. Forsling’s success story is a testament to the many smart moves Florida made to reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
Forsling’s departure is a prime example of the young talent that the previous Blackhawks’ management allowed to slip away. This lack of patience and foresight is a significant reason why the Blackhawks have repeatedly missed the playoffs and found themselves more often in contention for top draft picks rather than division titles.
On the other side, Corey Perry, another former Blackhawk, is now with the Edmonton Oilers. Perry had a brief and controversial stint with the Blackhawks, playing only 16 games before an off-ice incident led to his contract termination. After a break from the game, he joined the Oilers, where he scored eight goals and provided five assists in 38 games this season. In the playoffs, Perry has participated in 13 games but has not made a significant impact.
Seeing either of these former Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup brings mixed feelings. Perry’s potential victory is particularly bittersweet due to his controversial exit and his lack of popularity among Blackhawks fans. Perry was never a beloved figure in Chicago, and his brief time with the team did little to change that perception. Some fans may even hope that the Oilers’ star player, Connor McDavid, does not win the Cup because of Perry’s presence on the team. Although Perry already has a Stanley Cup from 2007, his tenure as a public enemy in Chicago overshadows that achievement.
Forsling’s potential triumph might sting slightly more as it highlights the previous general manager’s impatience with player development, particularly for defensemen. Forsling’s exit was partly due to his own injury struggles, but his growth since then underscores what the Blackhawks lost. However, the pain of seeing Forsling succeed is mitigated by the current promise shown by young Blackhawks defensemen like Alex Vlasic and Kevin Korchinski. The team’s defensive future does not look entirely bleak without Forsling, suggesting that they can return to their glory days of having a strong defensive lineup, reminiscent of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
In conclusion, watching Forsling lift the Stanley Cup will remind Blackhawks fans of what could have been if he had been given more time to develop in Chicago. The frustration is not overwhelming, given the potential seen in the current roster. Perry’s potential win, however, is likely to evoke a stronger negative reaction, rooted in his troubled association with the team and his unpopularity among the fans.
