Claiming Gustav Forsling was a major factor in winning the Stanley Cup
One of those other great defensemen on Florida is Gustav Forsling. They don't win anything without him being one of the best two-way defensemen in the entire NHL.
Forsling's path to stardom is not at all conventional. The Chicago Blackhawks traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes and then they put him on waivers after a while without ever using him in a game. He didn't play an NHL game during the 2019-20 season as he was sent to the AHL.
His development took a big step that season and it only took a little while with Florida to become a star. They figured out how to get him to what he is now which is a Norris Trophy level defensemen. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour around him, he fits right in.
Deciding to select Forsling off waivers and then be patient with him after that was a big key to Florida finally getting it done in the playoffs. Now, both sides get to enjoy what has become of his career.