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Canucks Urged to Target Veteran Defenseman Still on NHL Free Agent Market


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Tom Banks
September 1, 2025  (4:10 PM)
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Matt Grzelcyk of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Photo credit: The Hockey News

Matt Grzelcyk has been a solid contributor at the NHL level, and now the Canucks have been urged to sign the 31-year old veteran defenseman.

The Vancouver Canucks may have had a disaster season in 2024/25, but with some players getting healthy, the changeup of the locker room dynamic and some interesting additions, this is a team that enters the new year with plenty of optimism for a Stanley Cup Playoffs run.
However, there's still some intriguing talents available on the open market, and now, the team have been encouraged by Heavy Sports to pursue a former Penguins veteran to bolster their blue line.

Matt Grzelcyk becoming a target for the Canucks?

The Canucks have been looking for depth to help support Quinn Hughes all summer long and Grzelcyk could be the perfect addition.
The Canucks certainly could use more defensive depth, and there is no better option than Grzelcyk. Thus, if he can be had at a reasonable price, the Canucks should sign him.

Last season, Grzelcyk played in a total of 82 games for the Penguins, and while he tallied just 1 goal in that time, the 31-year old ended the season with 40 points, showing that even without scoring goals, he can contribute to a winning environment.
Currently, the Canucks defense is solid, with the group of Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Marcus Pettersson, Tyler Myers, Derek Forbort and Elias Pettersson leading them into the season, and with that potential, this team could be very balanced in 2025/26.
However, Grzelcyk would be the perfect depth piece for this team that could play when necessary due to injury, and with great balance, physicality and locker room leadership, he'd be yet another great addition for Vancouver this off-season.
It's unclear if there has been any interest from the team in potentially signing Grzelcyk, but if they can land him on a cheap contract, it's safe to say that it would be a very savvy signing for this team.
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Canucks Urged to Target Veteran Defenseman Still on NHL Free Agent Market

Would this be a good signing for the Vancouver Canucks?

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