Leafs sign Carl Gründstrom to 3-year ELC

 

Screenshot courtesy NHL.com

Today, the Leafs had some more news! Forward Carl Gründstrom, a 2016 2nd round draft pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs, signed his first ever North American professional hockey contract.

Gründstrom had been playing the past three years in the SHL in Sweden, spending two years with MODO (the same club as one William Nylander, the two were teammates in 2014-15, as well as Leafs prospect Jesper Lindgren), before playing this past season for Frolunda.

Gründstrom picked up seven points in as many games at this past year’s World Juniors for Sweden, an increase on just one point in seven games the year before.

In league play, he managed to contribute 14 goals and 20 points in 45 games.

A December 1997 birthday, Gründstrom fell in the older half of draft-eligibles for the 2016 draft and was selected with the 57th overall pick, which the Leafs acquired in the Connor Carrick /Daniel Winnik and Brooks Liach trade from Washington earlier in the season.

You can’t really tell from the above picture, but he rivals Connor Brown and Frederik Andersen as the best red-coloured head of hair in the organization.

It’s unclear at this point where exactly he fits into the organization next year. Signing the contract could mean he’s in line to receive some play time with the Toronto Marlies, but there’s also a chance he returns to Sweden next year. More to come.