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A late 1997 birthday, Carl Grundstrom spent his season playing for Modo in the SHL, and competing against men. While things ended badly for the club, as the legendary Swedish club finds themselves relegated to the Allvenskan, you certainly can’t blame Grundstrom for the result. He played limited minutes, but still put up 7 goals and 16 points in 49 games. In the relegation playoffs, Grundstrom was even better with four points in seven games. With Modo’s relegation, Grundstrom has transferred to Frolunda for next season. It says a lot that this year’s league champs are interested in adding him to a lineup that is already pretty deep and talented. Grundstrom has plenty of international experience, playing for Sweden in a number of Under 20 tournaments this year, including the World Junior Championships. He was a stalwart on the Under 18 squad last year, including making appearances at the Ivan Hlinka tournament and at the IIHF Under 18 World Championships.
Carl Grundstrom Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #41
Right Wing — shoots Left
Born Dec 1 1997 — Umea, Sweden
Height 6’00” — Weight 187 lbs [183 cm / 85 kg]
Carl Grundstrom plays a simple game, but a highly effective one. Grundstrom is a quick skater who has good acceleration and gets up and down the wing quickly. He gets in quickly on the forecheck and lays punishing hits on defenders who go back to retrieve the puck. Grundstrom has decent edgework and agility. His stride shows good power, and he has a strong lower body leading to good balance. Grundstrom is able to fight through checks and get to the front of the net.
Grundstrom is a pure goal scorer. He loves to shoot the puck, and does so whenever he gets the opportunity to do so. Grundstrom has a heavy wrist shot that can give goaltenders issues. He also has a quick release. Grundstrom uses his good skating to take defenders wide and cut to the net. However, if they have backed off to respect his speed, he is willing to use them as a screen and fire the puck on net. Grundstrom works hard on the cycle game, using his body to protect the puck and extending plays for his teammates. He isn’t the most creative player, preferring to make the simple play rather than attempt to deke an opponent or feather a pass through a small opening. This isn’t always a bad thing though, just ask most coaches who often prefer his type of responsible game. He is not afraid to get involved in the physical game, battling hard in the corners and in front of the net.
Grundstrom is a good defensive player. He understands positioning and brings his physical, gritty style to his own zone. He reads the play well and gets his stick into passing lanes, and gets his body into shooting lanes. Once he does create a turnover, he is quick to transition this to offense. Grundstrom has often been used as a penalty killer by his international coaches. He often irritates his opponents and seems to bring out the worst in them, drawing penalties and getting them off their game.
Carl Grundstrom has the potential to be a top six forward, but in a more complimentary role. Even if his offense doesn’t develop, he has the skating, the physical play, the ability to agitate and the defensive play that teams will find room for. He could find a niche in a grinding role if that offense doesn’t develop. Grundstrom’s style is reminiscent of Leo Komarov of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but this is a stylistic comparison only, and not one based on talent.
The following is a compilation of Carl Grundstrom highlights, taken from youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the #42 prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
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