D Matt Grzelcyk signs 1-year contract with Blackhawks

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. The 31-year-old veteran posted 40 points last season (one goal, 39 assists) in 82 games in his only season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was not offered a contract in the offseason. He did have opportunities for a player tryout agreement (PTO), however, and he chose to join rebuilding Chicago in training camp. Apparently, it paid off after three preseason game appearances. "I thought Gryz played good," Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said after the preseason game on Friday, per The Athletic. "He's a solid player, he's smart, he moves the puck pretty good." Grzelcyk, a Massachusetts native, was selected by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft. He played for the Bruins from the 2016-24 seasons before joining the Penguins for the 2024-25 campaign on a $2.75 million contract. In 527 career games, he has 175 points (26 goals, 149 assists) and a plus-131 rating. –Field Level Media

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