The Chicago Blackhawks signed defender Matt Grzelcyk on a professional try -out (PTO) on Tuesday. The news surprised fans when the team bought Veteran TJ Brodie and Alec Martinez retired. So it seemed like it was out with the old and in with the new one.
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But giving grelcyk (31) a shot makes sense on two levels. First, if he makes the team, he will strengthen the experienced presence on the backend for a team with only one defender born before 2000 (Connor Murphy). Secondly, he can push the younger player who may be on the CUSP to increase their game.
Anyway, there is potential fall -out with the announcement of Grzelcyk PTO. So let’s dive into it.
Grzelcyk’s last season
After seven seasons with the Boston Bruins, Grzelcyk landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2024-25 season. He placed career hogers in games played (82), assists (39), points (40) and average time on ice (20:37).
Looking from the outside, it is curious that more teams were not free for grelcyk. But I will admit that I have not watched many penguins hockey. The Sylvie McCarthy of the hockey writers put it that way, “[He] Do a few things very well, but his game is seriously limited everywhere else. “
That is not a glowing approval, but she gave more insight that helps us understand what general manager Kyle Davidson is thinking.
He turned out to be a huge difference in the Power Play … this season he was a solid player, who is a good depth assets.
That is the sentiment that many Penguins fans expressed: Grzelcyk Quarterback the Power Play extremely good, but sometimes struggled defensively and 5-on-5. He showed his attacking skills last season and has proven in the past that he can play a well -completed game. Although it did not work in Pittsburgh, his experience, in particular with Elite players, makes his PTO a low risk move for Davidson.
Potential fits in Chicago
With the training camp, Davidson and head coach Jeff Blashill have given more insight into the thinking process behind the signing of Grzelcyk to a PTO.
Davidson told reporters”We are young at the back, so it is extra competition for the young players and it is an opportunity for Matt to make our team or make an impression for another team in the competition … Create competition and increase the level of training camp.”
Davidson too everyone reminded everyone Die Grzelcyk played with Captain Nick Foligno and Ryan Donato on the Boston Bruins, so there is fame. The team also received positive reports about the character of Grzelcyk, indicating that he could play a leading role.
Wyatt Kaiser (red) wins a fight with Kevin Korchinski pic.twitter.com/8trpqscdyh
– Bales lumpkins (@kalenalumpkins) September 19, 2025
The reasoning is logical, although the bringing in Grzelcyk finished a lot who would be the strange man if he makes the team. Initially, Wyatt Kaiser seemed the fall man, but that seems less likely after he had signed a two -year contract on Wednesday.
Blashill repeated how he hopes that Grzelcyk will motivate the young defenders, That is If they “struggle in the camp and look like they need AHL time,” they probably receive a contract.
Blashill could refer to Kevin Korchinski or Artyom Levshunov. Both played for the Rockford IceHogs last season, but both also made NHL shows. Korchinski has considerably more NHL experience, after he played 76 games during the 2023-24 season. However, each looked pretty strong during their stints with the Blackhawks.
The defenders of the Blackhawks are so young that Grzelcyk can step when one of them is faltering. Nolan Allan, Louis Crevier and Sam Rinzel are three who are not guaranteed to be an NHL spot. So the PTO of Grzelcyk serves that double goal of motivation and insurance for the Blackhawks, while giving him the chance to show what he can offer if it doesn’t work in Chicago.
Time will tell
Davidson’s outdoor signs and transactions are calculated, and this PTO for Grzelcyk is no different. Although there are practical purposes, fans must also understand that training camp is competitive. Haper, and the organization has players who can take your place. That is exciting and proves that the team has set a high standard because they do not fill grilles out of desperation.
Davidson and company have ushered in the next era. Now the players have to deliver.
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