Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on the primary day of free company after eight years with the Bruins.
The previous Bruins defenseman performed simply 63 video games for Boston final season after coping with a nagging damage that landed him on LTIR. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound left-handed defenseman tallied simply profession lows in targets (2) and assists (9) for 11 factors final season.
“It was a reasonably irritating season,” Grzelcyk mentioned throughout his first media availability with the Penguins on Thursday, per team-provided video. “It was sort of a ticky-tacky damage that saved me out. I used to be compelled to go on LTIR so I needed to miss 10 video games. It was a bit of powerful simply getting again and to the velocity once more.
“I wouldn’t attest all of it to the damage. I believe I simply misplaced a little bit of confidence alongside the best way. As a participant, it may be powerful to regain that mid-season. I’m simply attempting to place that behind me now. I’ve had a extremely good summer time to date. I’m positively motivated to show myself once more as a participant.”
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Grzelcyk’s profession in a Bruins uniform has vital milestones tied to Pittsburgh, starting with the night time he was drafted.
The Bruins chosen Grzelcyk within the third spherical of the 2012 NHL Draft held on the PPG Paints Enviornment in Pittsburgh. He made his NHL debut on Dec. 14, 2016, in opposition to the Penguins and scored his first NHL purpose in opposition to Pittsburgh at TD Backyard.
“It’s a full-circle second, and simply speaking with individuals, it simply sort of looks like one thing that was meant to be,” he mentioned. “A pleasant little caveat right here becoming a member of the Penguins … these are some nice occasions, and I’m pleased that I get to return there.”
Grzelcyk added: “I’m very excited to get there, and everybody mentioned nothing however good issues. … I’m trying ahead to getting there in September.”
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The Penguins will give Grzelcyk the chance to rekindle his recreation. The 30-year-old might see prime minutes enjoying alongside Kris Letang or Erik Karlsson.
“Pittsburgh is a staff that’s at all times caught my eye. They play actually quick and I really feel like that type of fits my recreation and the way I need to play,” he mentioned. “They transition so nicely. They’re actually a harmful staff off the push. They’ll beat you in so many alternative methods, they usually additionally defend actually laborious. So, they’ve been a extremely laborious staff to play in opposition to ever since I’ve been within the league. And, I’ve admired them from afar for a extremely very long time.”
