It seems quite likely that this Bruins defenseman won’t be back.
The Boston Bruins’ season came to a sad end on Friday night at TD Garden. The Bruins put up a great fight against a deeper Florida Panthers team but could not defy the odds.
Now, with the Bruins’ season officially over, they have a ton of decisions to make this summer. They have several free agents this offseason, with Jeremy Swayman (RFA), Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and James van Riemsdyk being among them.
Yet, one Bruins free agent seems likely to have played his last game in Boston – Matt Grzelcyk.
Matt Grzelcyk
Grzelcyk, 30, was once a mainstay on the Bruins’ top pairing with Charlie McAvoy, but that dramatically changed during the playoffs. The Massachusetts native rapidly became the odd man out on the Bruins’ defense, being scratched in 10 out of the Bruins’ 13 playoff games. Mason Lohrei’s emergence played a big role in that.
When noting that Grzelcyk dropped significantly on the Bruins’ depth chart, it would be surprising if he stays put.
If Grzelcyk does, in fact, reach free agency this summer, there should be interest there. Even after an underwhelming season, his past success should be enough for him to get at least a one-year pact elsewhere.
It will be intriguing to see what happens with the left-shot defender from here.