Matt Grzelcyk

Grzelcyk was a potential deep league fantasy sleeper entering last year, but his usage dropped in a significant way. His average ice time dropped by almost exactly a minute to 18:44, while his average power-play time was essentially cut in half, all the way down to 1:25 per contest. The end result was Grzelcyk finishing with four goals and 24 points in 73 games, exactly the type of production we had seen from him in prior years. It was announced in early June that Grzelcyk underwent shoulder surgery, which is projected to sideline him for about five months. There isn't enough upside here to hold Grzelcyk until he returns, even in leagues with multiple IR spots.

Grzelcyk was Boston's most productive offensive rearguard a season ago, but injuries limited him to just 37 regular-season games. Grzelczyk's increased production (5 goals, 20 points) was directly related to an increase in power-play time. The 27-year-old blueliner averaged 2:44 of ice time with the man advantage per game last season after seeing no more than 1:33 a night in his three prior NHL campaigns. The Bruins made no significant changes to their defensive corps this offseason, once again leaving Grzelcyk in position to post career-best numbers if he manages to suit up on a regular basis. Keep an eye on him during your fantasy draft.

Grzelcyk was a solid offensive producer for the Bruins last season, setting career highs in goals (4), assists (21), shots (112) and power-play points while skating in a bottom-four role. The 26-year-old blueliner wasn't a slouch defensively, either, as he posted a plus-15 rating while adding 56 hits and 67 blocked shots during the shortened season. The Massachusetts native's role is expected to grow in 2020-21, as the departure of Torey Krug in free agency has opened a spot on Boston's top power-play unit, and Grzelcyk is the leading candidate to take over that job. Boston's power play has been one of the league's deadliest in recent years - it ranked second with a 25.2 percent conversion rate in 2019-20 - so Grzelcyk shouldn't have much trouble setting new personal bests across the board for a second straight campaign. That will make him an appealing target for fantasy managers looking to add a fifth or sixth option at defense in the later rounds of this year's drafts.

Grzelcyk's numbers (three goals and 18 points to go along with 68 PIM in 66 games last season) don't pop, but the 25-year-old does make his mark in the transition game thanks to his mobility and solid puck skills. At 5-foot-9, 174 pounds, Grzelcyk isn't going to overpower many forwards, but his quick feet and sound positional instincts help make him a dependable defender. For now, Grzelcyk doesn't make much of a mark on the Bruins' power play, but he's skilled enough to fill in there, and with continued improvement in his shooting strength/accuracy, his role in the team's attack could grow.

While the 5-foot-9, 174-pounder's production (15 points in 61 games) didn't give him a high profile in fantasy formats last season, Grzelcyk's wheels, quick hands and ability in the transition game are assets to the Bruins' blue line. As he becomes more aggressive with his shot, it's not hard to imagine the mobile 24-year-old making more of an impact in the team's attack. Moreover, if the Bruins elect to move puck-moving blueliner Torey Krug in advance of the coming season, Grzelcyk could see added opportunities on the Boston power-play.

Grzelcyk, the 85th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, is coming off his first full season as a pro, in which he logged six goals and 32 points over the course of 70 games with AHL Providence.. Listed at 5-foot-9, 174 pounds, Grzelcyk is a smallish puck-moving defenseman in the mold of Torey Krug. With Krug set to miss early-season action due to a jaw injury, Grzelcyk is a candidate to open the 2017-18 season with the big club. In such a scenario, he could well see some work on the Bruins' power play out of the gate.

Grzelcyk, whom the Bruins made the 85th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, will now head to the pros after completing his fourth season with Boston University, having notched 23 points in 27 games in the 2015-16 campaign. While the start of his senior campaign was delayed by knee surgery, Grzelcyk was still named a first-team Hockey East All-Star for the second consecutive year. At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Grzelcyk is a smallish puck-moving defenseman in the mold of Torey Krug and his chances of graduating to, and succeeding in the NHL will hinge on his ability to handle the physical rigors of professional hockey. He's a long-shot to secure a roster spot this fall, but could be an in-season call-up candidate, especially if Krug ends up missing any time.

Grzelcyk is coming off ACL surgery, which will delay the start of his senior campaign at Boston University. As a result, Grzelcyk probably won't be ready to play until a month or two into the coming season. Once he returns to action, the 5-foot-10, 176-pounder will reclaim a key role for the Terriers. Down the road, the 21-year-old is a candidate to push for a roster spot with the Bruins; with his mobility, he has the potential to develop into a puck-mover in the mold of current Boston blueliner Torey Krug.

Grzelcyk, who the Bruins took in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, is slated to enter his third season with Boston University this fall. Down the road, the 5-foot-9 blueliner has some upside at the NHL level as a smallish puck-mover in the mold of current Bruin Torey Krug.

Defenseman Grzelcyk, at 5-foot-9, 174 pounds, is undersized, but his mobility and offensive instincts give him a chance to develop as a puck-moving blueliner for the Bruins in time. For now, the 2012 third-rounder will continue to polish his game at Boston University.