Puck Prose
Fansided

Each NHL team’s top breakout candidate for the 2019-20 season

By Dave Stevenson

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 22: Ondrej Kase #25 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck against Lawrence Pilut #24 of the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on December 22, 2018 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rob Marczynski/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 22: Ondrej Kase #25 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck against Lawrence Pilut #24 of the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on December 22, 2018 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rob Marczynski/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Kings – Carl Grundstrom

I was tempted to put Jack Campbell here. But let’s be honest, he’s a backup goaltender. He’s not in a good position to break out unless Jonathan Quick gets injured. Carl Grundstrom, who the Los Angeles Kings acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Jake Muzzin trade, is in a much better position.

Grundstrom was stuck in the Maple Leafs forward depth, so he was a bit of an afterthought of the Muzzin deal. However, he immediately impressed with LA. After posting 10 points in 13 games with their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, the Kings liked what they saw, so they called him up to the NHL.

He did quite well with his first shot in the NHL, picking up six points in 15 games. Grundstrom was in a top-nine role last season and could grab a top-six role this season. The Kings are weak at left-wing, so it’s not hard to see him grabbing the second-line left wing spot as early as the start of the 2019-20 season.

Grundstrom has a well-rounded skillset. New head coach Todd McLellan tends to value players who are well-rounded. If Grundstrom can make a strong first impression on his new coach, he could wind up on some Calder Trophy ballots.

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