Maple Leafs select Carl Grundstrom 57th overall
By Ryan Fancey
7 years agoAt 57th overall, with a pick they received from the Capitals, Toronto has selected Swedish winger Carl Grunstrom of MODO.
Grundstrom had 16 points in 49 games in the SHL, Sweden’s top league, this past season.
There were some other high-upside options on the board, but it looks as though the Leafs went more so for a net-driver in Grundstrom. However, he was rated highly on a number of pre-draft rankings list, even cracking the first round on some. Bob McKenzie had Grunstrom listed 40th on the final TSN top 80.
As for scouting reports, Grundstrom is usually described as a two-way forward who plays with a lot of intensity. He doesn’t appear to be a pure skill guy at first glance, but I guess we’ll find out if the Leafs see some of that in his game.
Here’s what Corey Pronman, who ranked the Swede 29th, had to say about Grundstrom in his final top-100 ranking:
Grundstrom has been on the NHL radar for a few years, particularly after several impressive showings last season created buzz around his name. Grudstrom’s skill level has stood out to me, and he showed the ability to make high-end skill plays, but he really excels in playing a two-way forward-type of role…Grundstrom also shows slightly above-average speed, on top of pretty good puck skills. He’ll occasionally make a highlight-reel type of play, but his hands and vision more consistently show as merely above-average.
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