Alex Vlasic, the Chicago Blackhawks' third-year defenseman and projected top d-man again, will miss the opening game of the season against the Florida Panthers. With a chance to kick the season off on the right foot against a banged-up Panthers team, that isn't the news Chicago needs.
Fortunately, the team signed Matt Grzelcyk off of his PTO (professional tryout), and the veteran will take Vlasic's spot in the lineup for the first game of the season.
Vlasic logged 23:16 of ice time per game last season, registered four goals and 30 points, played some power play, and logged heavier minutes on the penalty kill. Grzelcyk can't completely encompass the loss of Vlasic, but he can do a fair bit.
Grzelcyk scored a goal and 40 points last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins and surprisingly didn't get a contract until a few days ago. On a bad Pittsburgh team, he was only -6, played 20:37 per game, had over two minutes on the power play each game on average, and logged a little time on the penalty kill when needed. He had a Corsi For % of 52% and an expected Goals For % of 54%, both solid. He should move up to the top pairing beside Sam Rinzel.
Vlasic isn't expected to be out very long with a lower-body injury, but missing a piece like that hurts either way. This likely pulls Ethan Del Mastro into the lineup as it was either him or Louis Crevier, who appears to be set for a long-time seventh defenseman role where he plays sparingly.
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