Former Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is arguably the best unrestricted free agent remaining before training camps begin later this week.
Grzelcyk is reportedly joining the Chicago Blackhawks, per SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman, on a PTO after spending last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After spending eight seasons donning the Black and Gold Spoked-B for the Bruins, Grzelcyk inked a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2024-25 campaign.
Grzelcyk struggled with a nagging injury throughout the 2023-24 season with the Bruins, playing in just 63 games and tallying career lows in goals (2) and points (11).
The 31-year-old Charlestown, Mass. native appeared in 82 games for the Penguins last season. He scored one goal and added 39 assists for the first 40-point season of his career while averaging 20:37 time-on-ice.
Selected 85th overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft by Boston, Grzelcyk recorded 25 goals, 110 assists, and 135 points in 445 games for the Black and Gold.
Grzelcyk has played in 527 career NHL games, scoring 26 goals with 175 points with the Bruins and Penguins. His best offensive output with Boston came in the 2022-23 season when he tallied four goals and 22 assists.
If Grzelcyk earns a contract with the Blackhawks, he would join the veteran core of Alex Vlasic and Connor Murphy. But if Chicago opted to move on from Grzelcyk, that likely means they’re confident that most of their defensive prospects — Sam Rinzel, Louis Crevier, Kevin Korchinski and Nolan Allan — are NHL-ready.
Troiani Rink Report 
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