Sharks sign Carl Grundstrom to two-year, $1.8 million AAV contract

A young blueliner is traveling a little down the road in the Golden State.

On Thursday, San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced the team has signed defenseman Carl Grundstrom to a two-year contract. The deal will carry a $1.8 million AAV through the 2025-26 season.

Grundstrom was acquired by the Sharks from the Los Angeles Kings last week in exchange for defenseman Kyle Burroughs.

“Carl brings consistent competitiveness to our lineup,” Grier said in a release. “He showed that he is able to contribute not just in the offensive zone, but is also difficult to play against on the defensive end. We’re excited to add him to the organization.”

Grundstrom entered the professional ranks in North America with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, which took him in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft. In 2017, he joined the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies for the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Umeå, Sweden native never played a full season with the Marlies, as he split time between Toronto and Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League in a unique agreement.

In the middle of the 2018-19 season, Grundstrom was dealt to the Kings in the trade that saw the Maple Leafs receive Jake Muzzin. The change of scenery allowed Grundstrom the opportunity to play in the NHL. Following the 2019-20 season, he became a full-time member of the Kings, though injuries have hampered him over the last couple of years. An injury in February forced him onto long-term injured reserve, though he returned in time for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In 50 regular-season games, Grundstrom scored eight goals and 12 points with a plus/minus of -2. He didn’t register any points in the Kings opening round loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

In 236 NHL appearances, the 26-year-old has scored 40 goals and 27 assists with a -14 rating. Grundstrom has scored five points in 17 playoff games.

While he hasn’t tasted team success in the NHL, Grundstrom has won some hardware in his professional career elsewhere. He won the Champions Hockey League with Frölunda in 2016-17, while winning the Calder Cup with the Marlies in 2018. Grundstrom also won bronze with Team Sweden at this past spring’s IIHF Men’s World Championship.