Former Bruins defenseman expected to test free agency with rising value

Matt Grzelcyk may soon be wearing new colors again. The former Boston Bruins defenseman, who spent nine seasons in black and gold before signing with Pittsburgh last summer, is about to hit the free-agent market once more, and his value is trending upward.

After signing a one-year deal with the Penguins worth $2.75 million, Grzelcyk delivered a quietly productive campaign.

He played in all 82 games and recorded a career-best 39 assists, finishing the season with 40 points. It was exactly the kind of year a pending free agent hopes for, and it may lead to a payday that surprises people.

Grzelcyk’s name is already starting to come up as one of the more intriguing depth blueliners available. For a player once defined by his durability issues, the fact that he stayed healthy—and productive—makes a big difference.

Grzelcyk lands on list of potentially overvalued free agents

In a recent piece by Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz, Grzelcyk was listed among five players expected to be overpaid this summer.

Others on the list include Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Mikael Granlund of the Dallas Stars, Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks.

Boeser, notably, is someone the Bruins have reportedly kept tabs on. But it’s Grzelcyk’s name that could raise some eyebrows in Boston, given his long history with the team and local roots.

A native of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and a Boston University product, Grzelcyk was originally drafted by the Bruins in 2012.

He became a regular on the blue line thanks to his skating, puck control, and ability to spark transitions. But in his final years in Boston, injuries and a crowded defense corps limited his impact.

Could the Bruins circle back if the price is right?

The idea of bringing Grzelcyk back to Boston isn’t outlandish, especially if other offseason plans fall through.

The Bruins are still sorting out their depth on the left side of the defense, and familiarity with the system could work in Grzelcyk’s favor. But whether that interest becomes real may depend entirely on the number.

As Gretz points out, 40 points from a defenseman in a contract year tends to attract attention, and often leads to overpayment. For a cap-conscious team like Boston, overcommitting to a role player would be a tough sell.

Still, it’s hard to ignore what Grzelcyk was able to do in Pittsburgh.

For the first time in years, he looked like the player Boston once relied on: steady, smart, and quietly effective.

Whether that earns him a big new deal or a return to the Bruins will be one of the quieter stories to watch as free agency draws closer.