Penguins’ Matt Grzelcyk Admits Lost ‘Confidence’ In Final Season With Bruins

After spending eight seasons donning the Black and Gold Spoked-B for the Boston Bruins, Matt Grzelcyk inked a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on the first day of free agency.

The fresh start could be the best thing for the Massachusetts native.

Grzelcyk struggled with a nagging injury throughout the season with the Bruins, playing in just 63 games and tallying career lows in goals (2) and points (11).

“I think it was a pretty frustrating season. It was kind of a ticky-tacky injury that kept me out (of the lineup). I was forced to miss 10 games, and I think it was a little tough just getting back and adjusting to the speed again,” Grzelcyk said in his first Penguins’ media availability Thursday, per team video. “I won’t attest it all to the injury. I think I just lost a little bit of confidence along the way. As a player, it can be tough to kind of regain that mid-season. But I’m just trying to put that behind me now.”

The 30-year-old left defenseman said he had already started taking significant steps in the offseason to recapture his in-season form.

“I started training right away,” he said. “I didn’t want to take a ton of time off after the (season). I was pretty much back in the gym and back skating a week or two right after the season. Just wanted to continue to feel my best throughout the year and make some strides this summer.”

With Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang anchoring the Penguins’ defense, Grzelcyk could see top minutes when the season begins.

“Over the last few years, I’ve gotten the chance to play with Charlie McAvoy, who I think is one of the best defensemen in the NHL,” Grzelcyk said. “I think those guys are such special players, and I want to just complement them as best I can and find out exactly how they play and get a closer look.”

Playing in Pittsburgh could help Grzelcyk return to his game, especially having a built-in connection with assistant coach David Quinn, who Grzelcyk played for while at Boston University.

“Pittsburgh is a team that’s always caught my eye,” Grzelcyk said. “They play really fast. I feel like that sort of suits my game and how I want to play. They transition so well. They’re really a dangerous team off the rush. They can beat you in so many different ways, and they also defend really hard.

“So, they’ve been a really hard team to play against ever since I’ve been in the league. And, I have admired them from afar for a really long time.”