Healthy Grzelcyk set to go
After missing part of the Stanley Cup Final with concussion symptoms, Matt Grzelcyk returned for the ultimate Game 7 loss where he contributed the Bruins lone tally.
The B’s missed him sorely while he was out; the Blues forecheck was tough as it was, and the Bruins couldn’t penetrate it without one of their best puck movers.
Especially with the status uncertain for Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, and the injuries to John Moore and Kevan Miller, Grzelcyk’s role is even more important this season. Even without the extra variables, Grzelcyk would be projected to take a natural leap and have more of a presence in the lineup.
It’s hard to believe that a year ago, Grzelcyk was slated to be the seventh defenseman and was forced into the opening night lineup only due to an injury to Torey Krug. This time around, it seems Grzelcyk has a role as a regular from the start.
He has skated with the full group during training camp after skating on his own earlier on in the week with an undisclosed injury, which he’s still keeping an eye on to make sure he doesn’t fall behind ahead of what could be an important, role-defining season.
“It’s going to be especially important early so that we don’t kind of burn out by the end of the year,” said Grzelcyk. “The coaching staff and medical staff are obviously very aware of it, and we are as players too, but at the same time you want to make sure you’re in good condition, ready to go when the puck drops in October.”
The 25-year-old defenseman wouldn’t specify just what the injury he sustained was, but said he is basically back to 100 percent and can participate in everything.
“I’m feeling really good now,” said Grzelcyk. “Just talking to the trainers making sure there’s no hiccups along the way. Right now, I feel good. Just want to make sure after skates I go to check in with them right away, don’t want to keep anything a secret.”
Given that the blue line is lacking it’s usual faces, it’s more important than ever the Bruins defensive depth does stay in tact. They brought in Alex Petrovic on a professional tryout agreement, and they have young guys who did step in last season like Jeremy Lauzon, Urho Vaakanainen and Jakub Zboril.
But, at least while they’re without some of the defensemen they’d like to have in their full lineup, health is at its most important, and they might have dodged a bullet with Grzelcyk.
“Just getting ready to go to camp a few weeks before and did it in the gym,” he said. “Something I’ve never really gone through before, but luckily we had the medical staff here and I wasn’t too far away in order to communicate better.”
One stroke of luck for the Bruins is that despite the uncertainty on the back end, the left side has stayed together. Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug and Grzelcyk are all there; it’s all on the right side where the pieces have to fall into place.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned Grzelcyk can slide to the right if they need him to, as he did at points last season.
But, in a perfect world, he can continue to grow his game on a healthy, fully intact defense as the Bruins embark on their Eastern Conference championship defense.
“It’s fun to be back and get back in the groove with the guys,” he said. “We’re looking ahead and looking for a new challenge.”