The Columbus Blue Jackets may have a case for bringing in a defenseman on a professional tryout, and Matt Grzelcyk looks like one of the more logical names to watch.
With the Blue Jackets’ blue line still in need of depth, a PTO invite would not be a surprise. There are still some unrestricted free agents available, and if Columbus does go that route, the fit could very well come on defense.
Grzelcyk stands out because he brings something the Blue Jackets could use: steady puck-moving ability. He may not be the most eye-catching defender on the market, but he has shown he can help drive offense from the back end. That was especially true in 2024-25 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he finished with career highs of 39 assists and 40 points in 82 games.
He then followed that up with 12 assists in 69 games for the Blackhawks this past season. Even with that drop from his peak year, the fact remains that Grzelcyk was a 40-point defenseman as recently as 2024-25, which is enough to make him worth a look on a tryout basis.
If he were to earn a contract out of camp, Grzelcyk could give Columbus another option on the bottom pair. He could also fit as the team’s seventh defenseman. Either way, the Blue Jackets would be deeper with the Massachusetts native in the mix.
For now, the question is whether Columbus decides to take that gamble and invite Grzelcyk to camp on a PTO.
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