With the 2025 Commerce Deadline approaching, the Tampa Bay Lightning are shaping as much as be consumers once more. They’ve been one of many busiest groups on the commerce deadline over the previous few seasons, for instance buying and selling for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow throughout their Stanley Cup runs. Nevertheless, the Lightning have just lately moved away from pure leases as effectively once they acquired long-term items like Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul at previous deadlines. This season, the Lightning may take curiosity in defenseman Matt Grzelcyk of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Would he be a great match and at what price?
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Disclaimer: The gamers featured in these articles aren’t at all times linked to the Lightning however have been made obtainable in some capability this season. These articles think about whether or not Tampa Bay ought to goal them and at what price.
Matt Grzelcyk’s Background
Matt Grzelcyk spent 4 years at Boston College from 2013-16, the place he captained the Terriers his junior and senior seasons. Following his school hockey profession, Grzelcyk spent one season with the Windfall Bruins of the American Hockey League earlier than turning into a full-time member of the Boston Bruins in 2017-18.
A 2012 third-round choose of the Bruins, the Massachusetts native spent his complete profession along with his hometown crew earlier than signing a one-year take care of the Penguins final summer season summer season and has already set a career-high in factors with the Penguins this season. His one purpose and 26 assists in 55 video games prime his 26 factors in 75 video games with the Bruins again in 2022-23. Now 31 years outdated and on an expiring deal at a cap hit of $2.75 million, the Lightning have emerged as a favourite to land Grzelcyk on the deadline.
Ferraro Scouting Report
In contrast to the Lightning’s different commerce goal, Mario Ferraro, Grzelcyk performs an offensive fashion that may swimsuit Tampa Bay higher than Ferraro’s stay-at-home strategy. Nevertheless, like Ferraro, Grzelcyk has seen higher days with underlying numbers and analytics. Being paired with Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Pittsburgh’s prime ahead line will aid you shatter profession level information if you’re used to sheltered minutes on a stacked Boston again finish.
Grzelcyk is a cell, puck-moving defenseman based on All Three Zones’ historic observe file and participant playing cards. This defensemen archetype is evolving the NHL and there’s little doubt Grzelcyk may present a strong secondary wave of offense. With that, why would the Lightning be desirous about his companies?
Grzelcyk’s Strengths
One in every of Grzelcyk’s finest belongings is his inexpensive cap hit. Moreover, his means to play in transition, like establishing an exit with possession or becoming a member of the assault off the push, is effective. He’s a great left-handed choice for the second power-play unit as effectively. In any case, Grzelcyk is a profession plus-123 regardless of being a minus-14 this season. In different phrases, he generally is a optimistic buy for Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh seems to expose his poor defensive play.
Grzelcyk’s Weaknesses
Grzelcyk’s offensive-minded strategy leaves room for enchancment within the defensive finish. Boston’s defensive construction and stacked blue line didn’t expose this weak spot like Karlsson and the Penguins have this season. Grzelcyk is having his worst season in on-ice purpose share (GF%) and anticipated purpose share (xGF%) in his profession. He’s been outscored 34-45 and controls simply 47.27% of the anticipated purpose share at five-on-five, asa per Pure Stat Trick.
What It Would (Doubtless) Take To Purchase Grzelcyk
Right this moment, basic supervisor Julien BriseBois has $3.21 million in cap area to work with on the commerce deadline. One participant with comparable worth to Grzelcyk who bought traded at earlier deadlines embody Shayne Gostisbehere, who the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Shayne Gostisbehere from the Arizona Coyotes on the 2023 commerce deadline in alternate for a 2026 third-round choose. An offensive defenseman with 31 factors in 52 video games earlier than the commerce, Gostisbehere is a strong comparability for a possible Grzelcyk deal.
One other participant, Brandon Montour, was acquired by the Florida Panthers from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2021 third-round choose. Once more, Montour was a good offensive defenseman within the vary of 0.35-0.5 factors per sport. Have in mind, this was earlier than Montour developed right into a star with the Panthers, gained the Stanley Cup, and signed long-term with the Seattle Kraken. With that, right here’s a practical commerce situation for Grzelcyk.
Tampa Bay acquires: Matt Grzelcyk (D)
Pittsburgh acquires: 2026 third-round choose
How Each Sides Profit From the Commerce
The Lightning present a change of surroundings for a proficient defender in Grzelcyk, who fell out of favor with Boston and hasn’t match beneath head coach Mike Sullivan’s Penguins. Just like the Anthony Duclair commerce, this deal is a low-risk purchase for the Lightning to assist bolster the again finish and supply one other layer of offense. For Pittsburgh, basic supervisor Kyle Dubas recuperates draft capital for somebody they may probably lose to free company this summer season.
Tampa Bay Lightning: In or Out on Grzelcyk?
Grzelcyk isn’t a horrible commerce goal for the Lightning and is rather more cheap than Ferraro. Nevertheless, the Lightning want extra assistance on ahead than protection this season. Grzelcyk additionally isn’t beneath contract previous this season and isn’t getting youthful. At 31 years outdated, the Lightning would lose Grzelcyk in free company because of the rising wage cap within the coming years. Grzelcyk to Tampa Bay isn’t a nasty transfer, however it’s additionally not the most suitable choice.
