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Perfect Replacement Emerges for Penguins as Matt Grzelcyk Enters Free Agency
With Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk set to enter free agency, a perfect replacement is set to be made available on the open market for Pittsburgh to sign.
All signs point to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk entering free agency and likely signing elsewhere for next year.
This means that there will be a key hole in the Penguins' defensive units, and a potential replacement has emerged if his own team doesn't bring him back.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, who has also played for the Philadelphia Flyers, is also set to enter free agency.
Per Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News, Provorov would be the perfect replacement for Grzelcyk if he does depart via free agency.
Provorov is one of the best defensemen who can become a free agent this off-season, and he would be a significant pickup for a Penguins club looking to become a playoff team again. This is because he is a top-four defenseman who contributes offensively and can kill penalties. In addition, he can play either on the left or right side, which certainly adds to his appeal.
Grzelcyk had 40 points (1G, 39A) for the Penguins this year while playing in all 82 games, though he wasn't able to help Pittsburgh make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Provorov has played the last 2 years with the Blue Jackets and had 33 points (7G, 26A) in all 82 games. His AAV (average annual value) in the final year of his deal was $4,725,000.
He was originally taken 7th overall by the Flyers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, where he earned the Barry Ashbee Trophy 4 times as the club's best defenseman.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 4 | 151 ANSWERS Perfect Replacement Emerges for Penguins as Matt Grzelcyk Enters Free Agency Would Ivan Provorov be a good summer target for the Penguins if Matt Grzelcyk leaves? | ||
| Yes | 112 | 74.2 % |
| No | 39 | 25.8 % |
| List of polls | ||