Grz signs with Penguins, Maroon heads to Chicago
In case you missed it, there was also some other movement with Bruins yesterday as this team will look even more different to start the new year – and that’s not a bad thing.
As the Bruins signed defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a big contract, elsewhere Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year deal worth $2.75 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The hometown kid had played his whole career in Boston so far, but in seven full seasons with the team, he hasn’t completed a full season.
This past year, he found himself again with some injuries. In the playoffs, he only appeared in three games against Toronto and was scratched the Florida series with guys like Mason Lohrei finding their stride.
In eight seasons (first year played in two games), Grzelcyk registered 135 points with 25 goals and 110 assists. Grzelcyk entered this past season coming off a career high in points in 2022-23 season with 26 points. But with injury this past season, Grzelcyk had accumulated only 11 points in 63 games.
The Bruins also lost Pat Maroon who had joined the team at the trade deadline.
Maroon signed a $1.3 million, one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Maroon only appeared in two regular season games with the B’s, but was embraced by the team and fans with his style of play especially in the playoffs. Maroon skated in all 13 postseason games. He registered two assists in the playoffs, but was part of an impactful fourth line throughout most of those games.
Going off of the Bruins end-of-season wrap up vibes back in May, the Grzelcyk move was expected. Maroon sounded like he wanted to stay and figure out a deal as he mentioned his quick assimilation into the Bruins’ locker room, but just the nature of the business and free agency.
Let’s see what day two of free agency brings!