Penguins Camp: How Dubas is Changing Roster; The Grzelcyk Adjustment

CRANBERRY, Twp — After eight seasons with the Boston Bruins, defenseman Matt Grzelcyck is settling into new digs with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Of course, he may not get much time to settle as coaches immediately installed him beside talented and notoriously freelancing defenseman Kris Letang.

Grzelcyk, 30, signed a one-year deal worth $2.75 million on July 1, hours after the team declined to qualify defenseman P.O Joseph, who occupied the spot beside Letang for the final months of the 2023-24 season.

His skill set is similar to Joseph’s, though his experience and stability considerably outweigh those of his predecessor.

Now, it’s a matter of finding his place on the left side of the Penguins blue line. He could play on the first pairing with Letang, the second with Erik Karlsson, or eventually become the offensive component of the third pairing with Jack St. Ivany. However, it seems coaches have an idea that he’ll be a top-four defenseman. They’ve been sending him videos, but Grzelcyk had a head start.

“I just watched their highlights on YouTube. Ever since I signed, I’ve been trying to look at (them) a little bit more in-depth,” Grzelcyk said. “Some people from the organizations sent me video clips, even in my own game, things I do well, the things I need to work on, and how it’s going to fit in the system. The first couple of days (it has been) just trying to feel each other out, but we’re starting to build chemistry.”

It wasn’t easy last season, as his spot in the Boston lineup became tenuous, which only exacerbated any flaws. Later in the season, he eventually became a healthy scratch. By the end, he posted career-worst totals, including only two goals and 11 points.

The tattoo on Grzelcyk’s chest reads, “Trust the Struggle.”

Grzelcyk’s skills are immediately obvious. He’s not only a good skater but agile. His veteran moves might go unnoticed–like a little head fake at the blue line to fool the forward and create an open lane. The early returns from camp have been positive.

“I think the first few days are just kind of a competition battle. And as we get into the scrimmages with other teams, we’re starting to look at the D-zone, how they break out and stuff like that. So I’m excited to see similarities and differences between the groups.”

Speed, Speed, and Chaos

Coach Mike Sullivan’s praise of prospect Vasily Ponomarev on Thursday revealed a real tenant of the Penguins’ potential lineup.

Bryan Rust, Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Bunting, Blake Lizotte, Noel Acciari, and perhaps Ponomarev would give the Penguins an abundance of fast, gritty puckhounds. Beauvillier may not be overly physical, but his skating is a significant plus. For the first few days of training camp, Beauvillier has competently held the left wing beside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.

His speed off the wing visibly created space for Crosby on multiple occasions.

Bunting’s scrappiness, especially in the offensive zone corners and getting to the net, added a jolt of energy to the flagging Penguins’ lineup last April.

Under the radar, perhaps hidden behind the more high-profile trades of acquiring Kevin Hayes and Cody Glass in order to receive additional draft capital, were the acquisitions of speed.

“I think Ponomarev has had a really strong camp. He’s got a great motor. Skates well. Good energy guy,” Sullivan said Thursday. “I think he’s hard to play against … We really like what we’ve seen from his game so far. Really like this engine.”

An underrated move by Sullivan has been to move Acciari to the wing. His play as a center last season was responsible, stable, and completely boring. His style as a winger is to infuriate defensemen, hit them relentlessly, and pressure opponents into turnovers and penalties.

Playing beside Blake Lizotte in training camp, Acciari has dusted off that aggressive forecheck that was dormant last season.

Just another agent of chaos.

Very quietly, the Penguins lineup could have a half dozen players, plus Sidney Crosby, who play a hard-nosed speed game. I’ve never heard Sullivan giggle, but he may smile broadly when he puts his final lineup on paper. Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas not only stockpiled forwards to compete at training camp, but it seems he has given Sullivan the type of speedy sandpaper necessary to reverse the Penguins’ increasingly soft trend.