Toronto Maple Leafs Defensive Search: Matt Grzelcyk
By Josh Tessler
The Toronto Maple Leafs should consider talking to the Boston Bruins about Matt Grzelcyk.
The native of Charlestown, Massachusetts was a solid depth defenseman for the Bruins last season. He’s a 24 year old left handed defenseman. He could really help the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Last season, in 61 games played, Grzelcyk registered 3 goals, 12 assists, 54.8 CF%, 16:44 ATOI, 45 hits, 42 blocks and 26 takeaways.
If you are concerned about his ATOI, I wouldn’t be. Grzelcyk was considered a depth defenseman for the Bruins. Boston is stacked with defensive depth and couldn’t always guarantee their defenseman a permanent spot in their lineup.
If you extrapolate his stats from last season and then add three minutes of playing time per game, he’d likely be a solid top 4 two-way defenseman in the NHL. The only issue for Grzelcyk is he won’t get that kind of playing time in Boston. There is just a tremendous amount depth.
Plus, the Bruins now have a few new faces that might crack into their lineup. This off-season, Cam Neely and the Bruins front office signed former New Jersey Devils defenseman, John Moore. Plus, they have a few prospects that could be competing for a permanent spot including Czech national, Jakub Zboril.
With some of the new faces competing for a spot, the Bruins might be looking to move a defenseman. Perhaps, the defenseman they choose to move is Grzelcyk.
Where Would Grzelcyk Fit & What Would Be The Return?
If the Toronto Maple Leafs were to acquire Grzelcyk, he’d likely be paired with Jake Gardiner on the second line.
You might think that I, Josh Tessler have gone mad, but I really haven’t.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Just because a defenseman is left-handed doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible for them to play on the right side. Based on the type of player that Grzelcyk is, it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t fit on the right side. Plus, Grzelcyk isn’t an offensive machine. He won’t score as many goals in the offensive zone as Gardiner. So, why does it matter if he’s on the left or right. Instead, Grezlcyk is on the blueline to block shots and deliver checks when needed.
In terms of the return, the Maple Leafs wouldn’t have to cough up a ton. For the Boston Bruins, Grzelcyk is a depth defenseman fighting for minutes. At the end of the day, Cam Neely and his front office can’t expect an arm and a leg for a depth defenseman. My prediction is that Kyle Dubas would likely have to put with a third round pick and a AHLer. Perhaps, Dubas sends next year’s third round pick plus Mason Marchment to Boston for Grzelcyk.
Grzelcyk isn’t going to wow you as if you just acquired Nicklas Lidstrom in the 1990s, but he has the ability to make the Maple Leafs defensive core stronger. Unfortunately, Nikita Zaitsev looked rather sloppy as Gardiner’s pairing, but it isn’t the end of the world.
Next: Leafs vs Lightning: Side by Side Comparison
The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t doomed because they have to ability to land a strong defenseman via a trade.
stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com