Expensive Former Penguin Still Without Contract for 2025-26
Photo credit: Edit from TribLIVE.com
Explosive former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk remains unsigned as we approach the month of September and the start of training camps.
When Matt Grzelcyk left the Boston Bruins during free agency after the 2023-24 season, there was no surprise to many around the team.
In fact, injuries had plagued his last few seasons in Boston, and a change in atmosphere seemed to be unavoidable, so he headed to the Metropolitan Division.
Signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Matt Grzelcyk proved his resilience by suiting up for all 82 games in the regular season.
He scored only a single goal but posted a career-best 32 assists, proving his value as a puck-moving defender who can quarterback the play.
The Penguins failed to make the playoffs, though, despite his impressive campaign, and Grzelcyk now finds himself teamless once more after just a single season in Pittsburgh, still waiting to be offered a contract.
With training camps now looming on the horizon, it's shocking that he's still unsigned, especially after the season he just had.
Grzelcyk's Agent Believes Waiting for a Contract Could Actually be Beneficial
His agent, Peter Fish, told ESPN that waiting might not be so bad; the market might actually serve Grzelcyk well once camps are underway and rosters start to fill out as teams become more desperate.
"Sometimes, it's not the worst thing to do. It's a little bit uneasy at times, but when you sit down and you can see exactly what teams have now," Fish said. "When you wait a little bit and can say, 'Well, this is definitely going to be a good spot for me.''
At 31, Grzelcyk has a ton of positives to bring to the table. He is one of the more skilled puck-movers, a player who can quarterback a power play and log regular minutes.
Teams may not want to sign him long-term because of his medical history, but the fact that he played well in his last season should help ease those concerns.
With cap space still aplenty league-wide and blue-line depth in need on other clubs, it's hard to see Grzelcyk going without a home anytime soon. His skill set is just way too good to sit unsigned much longer.
Someone's going to scoop him up before camp starts, because players with his vision and skating don't linger on the open market for too long.
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