Matt Grzelcyk's time with the Boston Bruins ended earlier this month. The Massachusetts native signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on the first day of free agency.
Not only is Grzelcyk changing teams but also numbers. Due to Penguins forward Valtteri Puustinen already having No. 48, Grzelcyk will rock No. 24 for the Penguins. This is understandable choice by Grzelcyk, as it is half of 48.
Grzelcyk, of course, would never have been able to wear No. 24 as a Bruin, as legend Terry O'Reilly has the number retired.
Grzelcyk, 30, spent each of his first eight NHL seasons as a member of the Bruins. In 445 games with the Original Six club, he had 25 goals, 110 assists, 135 points, and a plus-137 rating.
After playing top-pairing minutes with Charlie McAvoy over the last few years, Grzelcyk's placement on the depth chart significantly dropped during this past postseason. He was scratched for all but three postseason games, which made it clear that his time in Boston was coming to a close. Now, he will look to turn things around with the Penguins in 2024-25 while wearing his new number from here.
