Penguins Defenseman Hints at Future with the Team After Latest Comments

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is having a career season and has already made it known that he would rather sign an extension to remain in Pittsburgh past this season.

Grzelcyk did require some time to acclimate himself to his new club early in the season, but he did get settled in, particularly when he was skating with Kris Letang.

The Penguins did manage to keep the 31-year-old at the NHL Trade Deadline, and now general manager Kyle Dubas has a decision to make: do they re-sign a small, aging defenseman in the middle of a career season?

Grzelcyk will be due a salary increase on a multi-year contract this offseason, and if Pittsburgh is not willing to pay him what he's looking for, he'll be on the go again.

A Boston favorite, Grzelcyk consistently showed flashes of offense but was never utilized in a significant role, never more than 26 points in a year.

This year, he has thrived with greater usage, recording a goal and 34 assists in 74 games with 20:27 of ice time per contest.

His underlying stats are not stellar, but with Pittsburgh's weak depth on the left side, he is a top-pairing defenseman.

Grzelcyk's long-term Pittsburgh future is uncertain, but he has maximized his opportunity and revitalized his career since leaving Boston last summer.