A 30-year-old left-shot, Gustafsson is a highly mobile, puck-moving defenseman who is currently top 20 in the NHL in points among defensemen with 38 in 61 games and is 12th among NHL defensemen in five-on-five points with 23 in 61 games.
He has paired off effectively with a steady defensive presence in Trevor van Riemsdyk to his right this season. The duo produced excellent results during a tough season for the Capitals, hovering in the 54% range in expected goals and outscoring opponents by eight at even strength.
After an injury to John Carlson just before Christmas, Gustafsson jumped up to second in the ice-time rankings among Caps defensemen, a group he’s led in scoring in Carlson’s absence with 22 points in 27 games, with 15 of those points coming at even strength.