With the NHL free-agency market opening in just a few short weeks, speculation is rife about potential moves. Could the St. Louis Blues pursue another Boston Bruins player?
St. Louis Blues fans might get riled up at the mention of the Boston Bruins. Current Blues veteran Torey Krug, once a star player in Boston, hasn’t quite met expectations in St. Louis. And, of course, there’s the extensive history between the teams in Stanley Cup Finals matchups.
However, with the Bruins set to lose some important players in free agency, the Blues might see an opportunity to bolster their defense by acquiring a Boston Bruins defenseman.
Matt Grzelcyk
2021-22: 73 games, 4 goals, 20 assists, 24 points. 18:43 TOI.
2022-23: 75 games, 4 goals, 22 assists, 26 points. 17:14 TOI.
2023-24: 63 games, 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points. 17:35 TOI.
Grzelcyk is no stranger to St. Louis Blues fans, having been on the Bruins squad that lost to the Blues in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. While it seems unlikely that Grzelcyk, a Boston native, would leave the Bruins, his productivity has not lived up to expectations. At 30, he might be the type of bargain defenseman that Blues GM Doug Armstrong could pursue.
Though Grzelcyk’s numbers aren’t stellar, he has remained relatively healthy, playing in the majority of games over the past three seasons.
“There could be better names out there, but Grzelcyk would be more cost-effective…,” wrote Todd Matthews, NHL Editor for FanSided. Matthews likely put it best: Grzelcyk is an affordable option for teams with limited cap space. Hence, he might be an addition the Blues could both afford and find useful.
Can Grzelcyk Make the Blues Stronger?
Could adding Grzelcyk help Torey Krug find his old form? It’s an intriguing idea, considering their successful years as teammates in Boston. This year, Grzelcyk recorded 76 blocks in 63 games. While not the most physically imposing defenseman at 5’10” and 180 lbs, his consistent point production in the 20s makes him an ideal mid-line player.
For a team needing help on defense and lacking much cap space, the Blues likely won’t be able to sign a star player. Players like Grzelcyk are dependable, quality defensemen who can make an impact.
You could do worse than Grzelcyk. He’s worth considering.
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