Sabres Sign Matt Grzelcyk

While the Sabres do already boast some capable depth defensemen, the signing of Grzelcyk provides the club with additional cover on the blueline.

A veteran of nearly 600 NHL games, Grzelcyk has been a capable, if inconsistent puck-moving defenseman for nearly a decade.

Grzelcyk spent last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he endured a difficult campaign. He didn’t score a goal and only managed 12 assists across 69 games, averaging 16:58 time on ice per game with only sporadic usage on special teams.

Grzelcyk’s form in 2025-26 was a far cry from the performances he put on tape in 2024-25. He spent that year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who utilized Grzelcyk as the team’s No. 4 defenseman with regular power play duties. He averaged the second-most power play time on ice per game on the team that season, just 22 seconds per game less than three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. That usage helped Grzelcyk fly past his previous career-highs, hitting 40 points for the first time in the NHL.

While Grzelcyk’s stock is undoubtedly down compared to where it was in 2024-25, there’s still reason to believe he can contribute to an NHL lineup. While he won’t be able to adequately replace what Samuelsson provides to the Sabres lineup, as Samuelsson is a defensive ace who anchors the club’s penalty kill, he could, in the immediate term, serve as a reasonable facsimile for Zellweger.

Both stand around 5’10” and play a puck-moving style. While Zellweger is younger and more dynamic, Grzelcyk is significantly more experienced. That could allow him to step into Zellweger’s role alongside 2021 No. 1 overall pick Owen Power for as long as Zellweger is sidelined.

This deal does also have implications for the rest of the Sabres’ depth blueliners. The injuries to Samuelsson and Zellweger figured to allow more opportunity for the team’s existing depth defensemen to get into NHL games, namely Zach Metsa, Dennis Gilbert, and Ryan Johnson. Now, those players will have to recalibrate where they fit into the team’s depth chart due to the arrival of Grzelcyk.

All three blueliners must clear waivers before Buffalo can send them down to its AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. The fact that Johnson carries an additional year on his deal at a one-way $900K salary could protect him from a potential claim. But Metsa, who got into 43 NHL games last season and is guaranteed $325K for 2026-27, could be a candidate to be claimed if he hits the waiver wire.

While it’s unclear how Grzelcyk fits into the Sabres’ defensive plans beyond providing depth for the team in the face of unexpected injuries, the fact remains that this is a strong opportunity for the veteran blueliner. He joins a team that nearly reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, one that is expected to once again be a contending team capable of making another deep playoff run. Grzelcyk brings quite a bit of playoff experience (66 career games) and has reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Seeing as head coach Lindy Ruff struggled to find a No. 6 defenseman he could trust during the team’s playoff run earlier this year, it stands to reason that Grzelcyk could end up taking on that role if Buffalo finds itself back in the postseason next year.