Bruins Defender's Future in Boston Looking Murky
Will the Bruins let this defenseman walk this offseason?
The Boston Bruins started the second round with a bang, defeating the Florida Panthers by a 5-1 final score. This is exactly how the Bruins hoped to start the series, but they have plenty more work to do from here.
The Bruins' defensemen stepped up in this latest matchup, as Mason Lohrei, Brandon Carlo, and Parker Wotherspoon all got on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, and Derek Forbort all looked solid defensively.
However, former top-pairing defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was scratched yet again for this matchup. It was the Massachusetts native's fifth time being scratched this postseason.
Given that Grzelcyk is a pending UFA and that other defensemen have played better than him this postseason, it is fair to wonder about his future with the club. They also have a rising rookie in Lohrei, who is showing that he can handle playing big minutes. That may make Grzelcyk expendable.
Grzelcyk has had some solid seasons with the Bruins, but this campaign was a bit of a quiet one for the veteran. In 63 regular-season games, he had just two goals and 11 points, a significant drop from his four goals and 26 points in 75 games last year.
We will need to wait and see what the Bruins decide to do with Grzelcyk from here. If he finishes the postseason strongly, perhaps it could help his chances of sticking around.
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