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Report: Blackhawks prospect Forsling could return to Sweden next season

Team Russia v Team Sweden

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 4: Gustav Forsling #8 of Team Sweden chases after a puck against Team Russia during a semi-final game in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship at the Air Canada Centre on January 4, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Team Russia defeated Team Sweden 4-2 to advance to the gold medal game against Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

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After signing an entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in May, prospect defenseman Gustav Forsling could still return to Sweden for next season, according to a report on Sunday.

From Scott Powers of The Athletic:

Forsling, a defenseman prospect, will likely return to Sweden to play next season if he doesn’t make the NHL team out of training camp, his agent Gerry Johannson said Saturday. Johannson said the Blackhawks have to offer Forsling back to his SHL team Linkoping if Forsling isn’t on the NHL team to begin the 2016-17 season.

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On paper, it’s also unlikely the 20-year-old Forsling makes the Blackhawks to begin the upcoming season. They appear to be set with seven defensemen after recently signing Brian Campbell and Michal Rozsival to go along with Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Brent Seabrook, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Michal Kempny.

Originally selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Forsling was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Adam Clendening.

Clendening was later traded to Pittsburgh, as part of a deal between the Canucks and Penguins involving Nick Bonino and Brandon Sutter.

Last season with Linkopings in Sweden, Forsling had six goals and 21 points in 48 games.