Former Maple Leafs forward Carl Grundström is back on the waiver wire, another reminder of how quickly roster battles can turn this time of year.
On Wednesday, 34 players were placed on waivers, and Grundström was among them as he tries to lock down a steadier NHL job. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he played 47 games and put up nine goals and 13 points while averaging 11:51 of ice time.
Toronto originally drafted Grundström 57th overall in 2016, getting him as part of a second-round pick that also included Connor Carrick and Brooks Laich. He later became part of the trade package that sent Jake Muzzin to the Maple Leafs, with Grundström, a 2019 first-round pick that became Tobias Bjornfot, and defensive prospect Sean Durzi going to Los Angeles.
He ended up spending six seasons with the Kings and produced 67 points in 236 games, including 27 goals. His best stretch came in 2022-23, when he scored 12 goals, finished with 19 points, and delivered 144 hits.
For Toronto, the fit is at least easy to see. The Maple Leafs spent the offseason trying to strengthen their bottom six, but Grundström still brings a few things that teams always value: size, physical play, and a reliable defensive game. He has averaged nearly 110 hits over his career, and his possession numbers have been described as above average.
The problem is opportunity. Toronto already has plenty of players chasing limited roster spots, so there may not be room for him right now. Still, if he were claimed on a league-minimum deal, he would give the Maple Leafs insurance at both the AHL and NHL levels.
So while a reunion isn’t necessarily simple, Grundström is the kind of depth option Toronto could use if the path opens up. The catch is that another team could get there first.
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