Blackhawks sign Matt Grzelcyk to one-year, $1 million contract

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $1 million contract.

It’s currently not known if this contract comes with any bonuses or clauses.

Grzelcyk was an unrestricted free agent after the conclusion of his one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and was one of the top free agent defensemen remaining on the market heading into the regular season. He was playing with the Blackhawks for the preseason while on a professional tryout contract, and impressed enough to get a contract for the season.

Grzelcyk got into three preseason games with the Blackhawks. He was held pointless in those games, but instead impressed with his two-way play. His 47.38% 5v5 expected goals for percentage was third among Blackhawks blueliners, while his 1.77 xG for per 60 minutes and 1.96 xG against per 60 were fourth.

Grzelcyk’s signing also comes from Chicago’s need to add more depth on their blueline. Alex Vlasic is currently day-to-day with an injury, along with the fact that Kevin Korchinski, who many expected to have a roster spot, was sent down to the AHL last week, so there are a couple surprise openings right now. On top of that, the Blackhawks had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, so any help for them there is welcome.

Grzelcyk is coming off of a career year offensively, where he had one goal and 39 assists for 40 points in 82 games with the Penguins. That success also saw him get time on the Penguins top power play unit, so while Sam Rinzel is expected to be in that spot for Chicago, Grzelcyk has the potential to be an option for them there if needed.

The Blackhawks will start their season on Tuesday when they visit the Florida Panthers at 4 p.m. CST.