Carl Grundstrom

Save for a lower-body injury which cost him more than two months, Grundstrom was a regular for the Kings last season. He skated in a bottom-six role, posting eight goals and 12 points in 50 games while averaging 10:56 of ice time. Looking to clear salary, Los Angeles dealt Grundstrom to the Sharks in early July. He promptly signed a new two-year, $3.6 million contract with his new club. It's difficult to imagine a role change for the Swede in San Jose, but Grundstrom should have a much easier time potentially climbing the depth chart on a weaker club.

Grundstrom missed the better part of six weeks in the middle of a year with a lower-body ailment, but the 25-year-old was a reasonable source of secondary offense for the Kings when in the lineup, managing 12 goals and 19 points in 57 games. The scoring totals were pretty impressive considering Grundstrom only saw 10:45 of ice time per contest. He seems ticketed for a similar role in 2023-24. It simply isn't enough usage for Grundstrom to amass any sort of fantasy value, though he should push for 150 hits to go with his 15-20 points.

Grundstrom has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Kings, serving in a depth role while putting up the numbers you would expect (11 goals, 21 points in 75 games) from such a player. Grundstrom has time on his side given the fact he won't turn 24 years of age until December, but outside of upwards of 200 hits over the course of a full 82-game campaign, there's little to be excited about here from a fantasy perspective.

Grundstrom made 13 appearances for the Kings in 2019-20, notching four assists, 29 hits and 16 shots on goal. He now has 10 points in 28 career appearances despite seeing bottom-six minutes in limited stints over the last two years. The second-round pick from 2016 could be ready for an everyday NHL job in 2020-21, but he probably won't play higher than the third line, which will put a cap on his offense. The good news for fantasy managers is he could still approach 20 points in a supporting role, and he'll likely be a top-30 option in hits, so there's fantasy appeal as a depth option in deeper formats if he can stay in the lineup.

Acquired from the Leafs in the Jake Muzzin deal, Grundstrom has the tools to be a future fan favorite in Los Angeles and a constant thorn in the side of opposing squads. While he doesn't have a lot of size, the 21-year-old has speed, a good shot and an abrasive, physical style of play. He isn't afraid to grind it out in the corners or plow to the net looking for a rebound, or just to cause some chaos. Grundstrom made his debut last year, scoring five goals and six points in 15 games, and he'll head into 2019-20 competing for a roster spot. He'll have more fantasy value in formats that count categories like hits, and his eventual ceiling is likely that of a middle-six forward rather than top-six, but if he wants to stick in the NHL this season, his first priority will need to be improving his defensive play.

Grundstrom is a 20-year-old winger whose star is on the rise. The 2016 second-round pick delivered 17 goals (24 points) in just 35 games with Sweden's Frolunda in 2017-18. And then he made an immediate mark in the AHL playoffs with 14 points -- including eight goals -- in 20 games. Grundstrom could always snipe and he boasts NHL speed, but last season, his game away from the puck matured significantly. He become a more complete 200-foot player, both forechecking and backchecking with aggressiveness. Plus, he hits very hard. Grundstrom will vye for a spot on the Leafs' fourth line, but needs at least a full season in the AHL to grow his game. Those in deep keeper leagues should stash this future top-six goal scorer, but there's no call to action in single-year formats.