NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Carl Grundstrom

Get to Know Carl Grundstrom

Date of Birth: December 1, 1997 (18)
Place of Birth: Umea, Sweden
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 194 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing
Team: Modo Hockey (SHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects
A very hardworking winger and great team player. Grundström plays an aggressive in-your-face type of game with plenty of intensity. Is strong on his skates, forechecks well and is very valuable on the penalty kill. He is not the most technically skilled player, but will chip in offensively and reads the game fairly well. Does a great job around the crease and along the boards. Great character with good timing in his hits.

Future Considerations
He’s a good complementary player on a top line along with two skilled players, but he does not create a lot of scoring chances on his own. He is a hard-working winger with a nice release and great attitude. He plays a simple game and is always trying to nd the shortest way to the net. Grundstrom is a good offensive complementary guy who has a lot of room to grow yet.

TSN Canada
“Very good speed, is highly competitive and wants to be in the guts of the action. Makes things happen with his competitiveness and creates opportunities by being a catalyst type.”

HockeyProspect.com, Black Book
Grundstrom logged a full season with MODO in SHL, putting up a respectable 16 points in 49 games and also appeared for the Swedish U20 squad internationally. Coming in at 6 feet and 194 pounds, Grundstrom already has a fairly strong build which helps him compete against men. He has a strong compete level which is apparent in his will to drive the net with and without the puck.

Highlights

NHL Potential
Grundstrom has a top notch work ethic and is a smart player overall, but he has a somewhat low offensive upside overall. He’s a smart, hard working player willing to play whatever role relps his team and likely projects as a bottom six two-way winger at the NHL level.

Expected Draft Position
Carl Grundstrom’s hype train slowed a bit pulling into the station at the end of the season, but he’s still practically a consensus second round pick.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization
The Avalanche prospect pool is shallow when it comes to wingers so in some respects Carl Grundstrom is an automatic fit for the Avs just by position. As a high end skater with good hockey IQ, he also fits the mold that Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy have targeted at the draft so far.