Blackhawks reportedly signing veteran defenseman to PTO

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Chicago Blackhawks are signing defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Friedman is right; it is a surprise that Grzelcyk was still on the market after the season he had for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Played in all 82 games, scoring a goal and recording a career-high 39 assists and 40 points. Only Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson had more helpers on the roster.

Before his one-year stint in Pittsburgh, the 31-year-old blueliner played 445 games over eight seasons for the Boston Bruins. He was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and made his professional debut in 2017.

Grzelcyk is a left-handed, puck-moving defender who skates well. He can play fast, but is a bit undersized at 5’10 and 180 pounds. He had a stretch of four straight seasons with the Bruins of scoring at least four goals and 20 points.

Signing a PTO does not guarantee a spot on the opening night roster. A PTO is a short-term contract that allows Grzelcyk to participate in training camp and play in preseason games. He is free to sign with another team at any time. The Blackhawks would have to sign him to an NHL contract to stay with the team beyond the preseason.

I was expecting general manager Kyle Davidson to bring in a veteran defenseman on a PTO for camp. It makes sense. It’s a low-risk/high-reward move that gives him some insurance in case one or more of the young blueliners in camp don’t look ready for the NHL right away. Grzelcyk, if he makes the team, would provide Connor Murphy with another veteran on the back end, and could fill the role of being the seventh defenseman as the season goes on.