Grundstrom hops Marlies’ ride
Leafs prospect signs and joins Calder Cup chase after taste of post-season in Sweden
Carl Grundstrom, fresh off the Swedish league playoffs and signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is preparing for his North American hockey debut with the Toronto Marlies.
The rugged winger in the Leo Komarov mold practised Thursday with the Marlies and got on the bus as they headed to Syracuse, where they’ll play Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday in the second round of the AHL playoffs.
“I think we will (play him),” said Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe, adding it might not be right away. “We want to make sure he’s comfortable and in a good spot. He was off the ice for a period of time, a week or so, and flies out here — all new systems, new teammates, new environment. We want to make sure he’s ready.”
It probably won’t take long. Last year, the Marlies dropped Andreas Johnsson into the playoff mix, although the winger was injured in his first game. Keefe likes what he has seen and heard about Grundstrom so far.
“He’s a competitor,” said Keefe. “He’s really strong on the puck and has a good skill set to make plays and score. Very well-rounded game.
“But what really jumps out at you is just how competitive and strong he is. He doesn’t mind being physical, doesn’t mind playing in tight spaces. Those kinds of things are rare for younger players, in particular guys who come from overseas who are used to playing on the big ice. A lot of times they’re better in the open ice.”
The six-foot, 194-pound Grundstrom says he comes by his physical play honestly.
“It’s always been like that,” he said. “When I was younger, I was pretty small. I had to play hard to play more.
“It was a learning experience for me. They took care of me.” CARL GRUNDSTROM ON PLAYING THREE SEASONS AGAINST MEN IN SWEDEN
“Then I grew, and I could use my physical game more and it came naturally to me.”
Grundstrom said he’d be happy for any opportunity, and there’s no time like the present to begin adjusting to North American hockey. He got a taste of hockey on the smaller rinks when he came over for the world junior hockey championship, representing Sweden.
“The smaller rinks, a little different game over here,” said Grundstrom. “I’ve seen it on TV and I know what’s expected. I know pretty much what the difference is.”
The 19-year-old was drafted 57th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2016, and scored 14 goals with six assists in 45 games for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. Frolunda was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
“It was a learning experience for me,” said Grundstrom, a teenager who has played with men for three seasons.
“They took care of me. We had a couple of other young guys. There was no issue. It was fun, a good mix of older and younger guys.”
Grundstrom said it’s too soon to know whether he’s in North America to stay: “Let’s see about that. I’m just focused on this right now. We can talk about that after. It’s fun to get to know these guys and how it works over here.”
The Marlies, meanwhile, are preparing to face Tampa’s top farm team — the Crunch — in an old barn that can get loud and raucous.
“They’ve got a lot of speed, a lot of depth. All four forward lines are very good. They’ve got an experienced goaltender (Mike McKenna). They play well on home ice. So, there are a number of challenges,” said Keefe. “They’re physical, and they’ve got skill that can make you pay if you turn pucks over.”
Both teams have had about a week off to prepare for the best-of-seven series. The Marlies took three days away from the rink, including Wednesday.
“It’s a long week leading up to a playoff series,” said Keefe. “In general, we don’t like to practise four days in a row. It was a chance to break it up. Give the guys a chance to enjoy the day.
“They come in fresh (Thursday) and ready to work. Now we get on the bus and get ready to play.”