The Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils each added a player prior to the start of the 2025-26 National Hockey League regular season that commenced on Tuesday. On Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Matt Grzelczyk of Charlestown, Massachusetts to a one-year contract worth $1 million. Then on Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils signed centre Luke Glendening of Grand Rapids, Michigan to a one-year contract worth $775,000.
Who has Matt Grzelczyk previously played for?
Grzelczyk is joining his third National Hockey League franchise. He previously played nine seasons with the Boston Bruins from 2016 to 2024, and one season with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2024 to 2025.
Matt Grzelczyk’s 2024-25 NHL statistics
In 82 regular season games, Grzelczyk had one goal and 39 assists for 40 points with the Penguins. He was a -6 with 16 penalty minutes, 15 power-play points, 94 shots on goal, 101 blocked shots, 43 hits, 32 takeaways and 85 giveaways.
Grzelczyk’s lone goal in 2024-25
Grzelczyk scored his only goal of the season in a 3-2 Pittsburgh Penguins win over the Los Angeles Kings on December 17. Grzelczyk scored from Sidney Crosby of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and Rickard Rackell of Sundyberg, Sweden with five minutes and 35 seconds left in the third period to tie the game at two.
On top Blackhawks defensive pairing
Grzelczyk is on the top Blackhawks top defensive pairing immediately. He is playing alongside 20-year-old Sam Rinzel of Waconia, Minnesota.
Who has Luke Glendening previously played for?
Glendening is joining his fourth National Hockey League team. He previously spent eight NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings from 2013 to 2021, and two seasons each with the Dallas Stars (2021 to 2023), and the Tampa Bay Lightning from (2023 to 2025).
Glendening’s 2024-25 NHL regular season statistics
In 77 games with the Lightning last season, Glendening had four goals and three assists for seven points. He was -9 with 10 penalty minutes, two shorthanded points, 51 shots on goal, 502 faceoff wins, 58 blocked shots, 105 hits, six takeaways, and 19 giveaways.
Glendening’s shorthanded points
Both of Glendening’s shorthanded points came in Lightning wins. The shorthanded goal came on November 25 in an 8-2 Lightning win over the Colorado Avalanche on November 25. Glendening scored from Brandon Hagel of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at 13:15 of the first period to put the Lightning up 4-1 at the time. Glendening’s shorthanded assist came on November 29 in a 3-2 Lightning win over the Nashville Predators. Glendening set up Anthony Cirelli of Etobicoke, Ontario at 4:06 of the second period to tie the game at one. At this time, Glendening has been added for depth.
