In a flurry of waiver wire assignments on Wednesday, former Maple Leaf Carl Grundstrom was among the names as he continues to fight for a consistent NHL spot.
As the 2026-27 NHL season creeps ever closer, teams are trying to get their rosters sorted out, which means there are going to be lots of movement on the waiver wire. Wednesday was a huge day as 34 players found themselves on the waiver wire, including two Maple Leafs in Dakota Mermis and Cole McWard.
Former Maple Leafs forward Grundstrom hits waivers
But a former Maple Leaf also found himself on the waiver wire, that being Carl Grundström, who has bounced around the league recently and is still looking to fight for an NHL role.
Grundstrom, 28, appeared in 47 games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, recording nine goals and 13 points in 11:51 TOI. Toronto's 57th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he came over as a second-round pick that also brought in Connor Carrick and Brooks Laich.
He was then dealt as part of the blockbuster that brought Jake Muzzin to Toronto, as he was packaged along with a 2019 first-round pick (Tobias Bjornfot) and defensive prospect Sean Durzi and sent to Los Angeles.
Grundstrom managed to spend six seasons with the Kings, registering 67 points in 236 games including 27 goals. His best season came in 2022-23 where he had 12 goals and 19 points along with 144 hits.
Does Grundstrom have a place with the Maple Leafs again?
While the Maple Leafs did their due diligence this past offseason and made sure their bottom-six is much better prepared, if they needed some depth and veteran insurance he may not make a bad choice.
Grundstrom has averaged nearly 110 hits for his career, so he can add a level of physicality, and his defensive metrics are pretty solid with above-average possession numbers. He'd make a good replacement for Dakota Joshua while he's out, and would help with Toronto's defensive shift up front.
Though with how many players they currently have fighting for minimal roster spots, he might not have a spot right now with the Maple Leafs. However, if he were to be claimed on a league minimum he would at least provide Toronto with insurance at both the AHL and NHL level.
While he may not have a place with the Maple Leafs right now, there is a world where he can help the team with depth. At this current time however, that may not be as easy as it sounds with the potential for another team to take him in the meantime.
Do you think Carl Grundström will find his way back to the NHL?
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