A significant portion of the Maple Leafs successful rebuilding project has been their commitment to a draft-and-develop model -- with an emphasis on development.

CEDAR PARK, Texas -- The road from the American Hockey League to the Toronto Maple Leafs is a well-worn one, but sometimes it does get bumpy.

Forward Carl Grundstrom, 20, is yet another name trying to master the AHL, something that is nearly a prerequisite for Maple Leafs prospects hoping to become NHL regulars.

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Grundstrom is getting a crash course in the AHL grind as Toronto continues a push through the Calder Cup Playoffs that has run into heavy resistance in the Calder Cup Finals. Texas (Dallas Stars) evened the best-of-7 series 2-2 with a 3-2 home win in Game 4 Thursday. Game 5 is here on Saturday.

Toronto had a 10-game playoff winning streak before losing two of the past three games to Texas.

Challenges like this make up the playoff experience that's part of the longer-term development process. The Maple Leafs have six players who went to the AHL Eastern Conference Final in 2016.

"The longer we play into June like this, it shortens the runway for all of our players because they're getting all of that extra experience," Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said.

A Calder Cup would finish off a memorable season for Grundstrom, who headed to the AHL for the final weekend of the regular season. A second-round pick (No. 57) by Toronto in the 2016 NHL Draft, he had 24 points (17 goals, seven assists) in 35 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. His SHL season was interrupted by multiple injuries, including a knee injury.

Grundstrom (6-foot, 194 pounds) is strong on his skates and uses his sturdy frame in tight spaces well. He has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 17 playoff games, but like the rest of his teammates he is tasked with trying to break through a smothering, grinding opponent in Texas.

If Toronto is to win the series, the first line of Grundstrom, Miro Aaltonen and Andreas Johnsson will need to figure out Texas quickly.

The line combined for 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Final against Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia Flyers). In four games against Texas, they have a combined three points (one goal, two assists), and Grundstrom does not have a point.

"This series has challenged him more than any other just with the style of play, the way the games have gone [four one-goal games], and the type of team that Texas has," Keefe said.

Toronto averaged 3.69 goals per game in the first three rounds and ranked third in the AHL in the regular season at 3.34 goals per game. In the past three games, Toronto has five goals.

Finding a way to solve Texas is one more step in the learning process for a highly-regarded prospect like Grundstrom.

"This is another challenge, another opportunity for him to grow," Keefe said.

One of those tasks is being stronger on the puck against a relentless team that can punish turnovers with a quick transition game.

"They're really good when we turn it over," Grundstrom said.

Grundstrom offers a modest self-scouting report of what he needs to do to secure a full-time role with the Maple Leafs.

"I have to be better in everything," he said. "I have to think my game a little more on the small rinks and be a better hockey player in [every way]."

Keefe has seen Grundstrom grow throughout the postseason.

"I think he has just become more and more comfortable playing on this size of ice, first of all, and playing in this league," Keefe said.

The North American game is not completely new to Grundstrom. He played six AHL playoff games last season and was with the Maple Leafs in the preseason.

"He's a little bit further ahead, and we thought it was a shorter learning curve, but there still was one," Keefe said. "We've been able to play long enough to give him time to adjust."

"I think that experience is a big thing. I think that when you look at his skill set that he has, his shot, and his willingness to go to the net, along with his strength and competitiveness, I think he has the tools to be an NHL player. I think he is an NHL player in the future.

"It's just a matter of time."

Until then, there is AHL business to finish.

"It has been fun," Grundstrom said of a playoff run that is closing in on two months. "It has been a good run."