Kyle Garcia With training camp right around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Carl Grundstrom!
Carl Grundstrom
Biography
Birthdate: December 1, 1997
Birthplace: Umea, Sweden
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200 lbs
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 2nd round, 57th overall, 2016 NHL Entry Draft
2021-2022 Season
Grundstrom, or as some of you call him Tonka, quietly had a decent season for a bottom-six forward. Acquired by the LA Kings in the Jake Muzzin trade in 2018, Grundstrom had a rough last two seasons. This year when inserted into the lineup, the 24-year-old’s physicality stood out. His 134 hits led the Kings even though he suited up for only 54 games. He even chipped in with 15 points and was a +4 rating in a bottom-six role. As players were coming back from injury early on, Grundstrom would be a healthy scratch, but it had nothing to do with his play.
The playoffs were his coming-out party, where he made a name for himself. In six playoff games, he netted three goals, one assist for four points to go along with 22 hits (averaging almost four hits a game). It was Game 4 that would be his best performance of the series recording three points. His signature moment came when he muscled off Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and got taken down but was able to push the puck across the goal line as he dove headfirst into Mike Smith.
.@CarlGrundstrom’s nickname is Tonka, we now see why. 💪#GKG pic.twitter.com/l4DJEaSxTH
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 9, 2022
Exactly why they call him Tonka!
2022-2023 Outlook
Grundstrom just signed a two-year extension with an AAV of $1.3 million. It’s good to see him get rewarded for his effort. Heading into training camp, Grundstrom will be fighting for a lineup spot as well. If he does make the opening night roster, a bottom-six forward will be his role just like last year. Being able to play that physical style, hard-nosed game, and chip in with some offense can always be a plus from the depth part of a forward group and could earn him a permanent spot in the lineup for the upcoming year.
(Main photo credit: Rob Curtis/Getty Images)