PLAYING UP A STROM
Leafs’ prospect a hit for Swedes
When it comes to NHL comparisons at the world juniors, most scouts don’t mix countries.
A Swedish defenceman, such as 16-year-old phenom Rasmus Dahlin, is the next Erik Karlsson rather than Drew Doughty.
Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen, who has a knack for scoring goals, is the next Patrik Laine even though he is four inches shorter.
Canada’s Tyson Jost? He’s the next Jonathan Toews — not Mikko Koivu or Henrik Zetterberg — of course.
So it was a bit refreshing when talking about Carl Grundstrom, former MODO head coach Anders Forsberg told reporters “it is rare to see a player who can play more Canadian than Canadians themselves.”
For a Swedish forward who still has all his teeth, this was apparently the highest honour.
At least, Grundstrom thinks it was.
“I don’t know, I think he means that I’m not afraid to drive the net and play around the net,” said the 19-year-old winger, who picked up two assists in Wednesday’s 4-2 win against Switzerland. “I’ll take it.”
The comparison might have made even more sense a year ago, when Grundstrom was playing for MODO, a team some were jokingly calling the Leafs of the Swedish Hockey League.
A storied franchise with alumni that includes Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, the Sedin twins and Victor Hedman, MODO was relegated to the second division — the equivalent of the Leafs having to play in the American Hockey League — after going 13-32-7 last season.
“It was a tough season for us,” Grundstrom said. “I don’t think we won two games in a row.”
The daily losses seemed to drag down Grundstrom, who recorded only seven goals and 16 points in 49 games. He went from being a projected first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft to dropping all the way to 57th overall.
Now playing for Frolunda, the top team in Sweden, Grundstrom is showing what he is capable of with competent linemates.
“Anytime you’re in a winning environment, it helps a young player out,” said Leafs assistant GM Mark Hunter.
“He’s hitting people, he’s taking the body, he’s involved in scrums and you do notice him just from the physical side.”
In 27 games, Grundstrom already has more goals (11) and three less points (13) than he did all of last season.
“It’s great to come to Frolunda this year. It’s a big difference,” said the 6-foot and 194-pound Grundstrom.
“They expect more from you. I have to play at a higher level every night. I think we have the puck more than last year. Now we are the team that control the play and are in charge of the game. Last year it was more battle and chasing everything. But I’m also more effective this year. I have more confidence.
“I’ve been playing better with Frolunda than I did with MODO last year.”
Grundstrom doesn’t have an entry-level contract with the Leafs, but he’s been keeping tabs on Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, who he played with two years ago with MODO.
“I watch highlights sometimes,” he said.
“I see those guys are doing real fun things. I don’t have a contract with Toronto, but they talked to me about the season and they’re satisfied with how I’m playing with Frolunda so far.”
Judging by his play at the world juniors, the Leafs have to be even more impressed. Grundstrom, who had one goal and no assists for Sweden at last year’s tournament, scored on a breakaway and picked up an assist in a 6-1 win against Denmark on Boxing Day.
Two days later, the team’s alternate captain was at it again in a win against Switzerland.
With the game tied in the first period, Grundstrom found Lias Andersson with a pass in the slot for to give Sweden a 2-1 lead.
Switzerland would tie the game again in the second period, but once again Grundstrom’s speed and skill took over.
After blowing past a defender and narrowly missing on a breakaway deke, he set up Joel Eriksson from behind the net for his second goal and the eventual game-winner.
Of course, it was his work ethic and willingness to initiate contact — those so-called Canadian qualities — that had Hunter gushing, “We’re tickled pink about him.”
“His competitive level is through the roof,” added Sweden head coach Tomas Monten.
“I think the Maple Leafs have a guy who in the future will work hard for them. He likes to score goals and go to the net, but he can score off power and skill. I think they have a pretty good prospect.”
When asked who Grundstrom compares to in the NHL, Monten could have said Leafs rookie Zach Hyman, albeit with a better shot. Instead, he chose another Swede.
“I coached a player a few years back on the club team in Stockholm, his name is Patric Hornqvist,” Monten said of the Pittsburgh Penguins forward. “They have the same edge. Patric was the same as a junior. He competed the hardest every day in practice … a lot of scouts told me he wasn’t going to make it into the NHL because he’s not a good skater, but I said he’s going to make it because he wants to make it.
“I think those two are pretty similar in terms of character.”