The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed forward Carl Grundstrom to a two-year deal worth a total of $1.45 million. The 22-year-old spent most of the 2019-20 season in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, racking up 40 points (12 goals and 28 assists). The Kings called him up for a brief stint, where he had four assists in 13 NHL games.
Grundstrom averaged just under 13 minutes per game with L.A. and was a plus-possession player with a Corsi For of 55.7%. The Kings scored two more even-strength goals with Grundstrom on the ice than they gave up.
General manager Rob Blake has been busy locking up some of the team’s RFA. He also re-signed forward Austin Wagner to a three-year deal. Grundstrom was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Jake Muzzin deal.
Grundstrom can play up-and-down the lineup, although he will be better suited for a bottom-six role while L.A. transitions its roster. He needs to get a little quicker, but his play in the corners, and ability to wear down opposing defenseman gives the Kings some sandpaper on the roster.
The right-winger was picked by the Maple Leafs in the second-round of the 2016 NHL Draft. Grundstrom stayed in his native Sweden the first two years after being drafted before joining the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Trevor Lewis remains unsigned, and it looks like the 33-year-old will hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. The Kings are looking to get younger, so it remains to be seen if Blake looks to bring Lewis back for another year.