Matt Grzelcyk (© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)During this past off-season, the Boston Bruins let defenseman Matt Grzelcyk leave in free agency. This was after his placement on the team's depth chart dropped, with him being scratched in 10 out of the Bruins' 13 playoff games.
After hitting free agency, Grzelcyk signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2024-25 campaign. The change of scenery undoubtedly benefited the Charlestown, Massachusetts native, as he enjoyed the best offensive season of his nine-year NHL career thus far.
Grzelcyk provided solid offense from the point this season, scoring one goal and setting new career highs with 39 assists and 40 points. With this, he also spent time on the Penguins' top pairing and first power-play unit. Thus, he became a key part of the Penguins' defensive group.
This was also a bounce-back year for Grzelcyk, as he struggled in his final season as a Bruin in 2023-24. In 63 games with the Original Six club that campaign, he had just 11 points.
After his impressive season with the Penguins, Grzelcyk can hit the market again as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Whether he stays with the Penguins or tests the market, he certainly is due for a raise after his strong campaign.
In 445 career NHL games over eight seasons with the Bruins, Grzelcyk had 25 goals, 110 assists, 135 points, and a plus-137 rating.
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