As the 2025 NHL offseason rolls into its final stretch, the free agent market has delivered more surprises than most fans anticipated. Two veteran defensemen with drastically different stories are making headlines: Matt Grzelcyk, a Boston Bruins fan favorite who just posted a career year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, remains unsigned as NHL training camps approach; meanwhile, Stanley Cup champion Jan Rutta has opted for a fresh start in Switzerland after nearly two months of waiting for an NHL offer. Their journeys highlight the unpredictable nature of professional hockey careers and the shifting priorities of teams and players alike.
Matt Grzelcyk’s situation has left many Bruins and Penguins fans scratching their heads. After battling injuries during his latter years in Boston, Grzelcyk parted ways with the Bruins following the 2023-24 season. The move itself wasn’t shocking—injury-plagued seasons often spell the end of a player’s tenure with a team. What stunned the hockey world, however, was Grzelcyk’s remarkable resurgence with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024-25. Not only did he stay healthy, appearing in all 82 games, but he also shattered his previous career highs by tallying 39 assists and 40 points. That kind of production from the blue line doesn’t go unnoticed in today’s NHL.
Yet, as of August 25, 2025, Grzelcyk is still without a contract for the upcoming season. With training camps just around the corner, his continued presence on the free agent list has become one of the most talked-about storylines of the summer. It’s not for lack of interest in defensemen—teams are always on the hunt for puck-moving blueliners who can contribute offensively. So what’s the holdup?
Grzelcyk’s agent, Peter Fish, addressed the situation in a statement to ESPN last month, providing some insight into their mindset during this waiting game. "Sometimes, it’s not the worst thing to do. It’s a little bit uneasy at times, but when you sit down and you can see exactly what teams have now," Fish explained. "When you wait a little bit and can say, 'Well, this is definitely going to be a good spot for me.'" It’s a calculated approach, one that relies on patience and the hope that the right opportunity will present itself as teams finalize their rosters and assess their needs in the coming weeks.
The numbers speak for themselves. Grzelcyk’s one goal and 39 assists last season were both personal bests, and his durability—appearing in every game—should assuage concerns about his previous injury history. The fact that he remains unsigned is a testament to the volatility of the market, where timing, salary cap constraints, and team fit can all conspire to keep productive players in limbo. As one poll on Bruins Insider recently asked fans, is it just a matter of time before Grzelcyk lands a contract, or is there something else at play?
Meanwhile, another defenseman’s journey has taken him across the Atlantic. Jan Rutta, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has signed with Geneve-Servette HC in Switzerland’s National League. Rutta’s move comes after nearly two months as an unrestricted free agent following the expiration of his three-year, $2.75 million cap hit contract in the NHL. Despite his championship pedigree and a solid NHL resume, the phone didn’t ring with offers from North American clubs this summer, prompting Rutta to explore opportunities overseas.
Geneve-Servette HC, a team that has spent 22 consecutive seasons in Switzerland’s top flight, is hoping Rutta’s experience and steady play will help them rebound from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. The club finished 12th out of 14 teams with a 17-7-6-22 record, narrowly avoiding relegation. Rutta brings not only a wealth of NHL experience—417 regular season games, 98 points, and an additional 49 playoff games—but also a winning mentality forged during his years with the Lightning. He was a crucial part of Tampa Bay’s back-to-back Cup runs in 2020 and 2021, even if he never garnered individual award votes.
Last season, Rutta suited up for the San Jose Sharks, notching three goals and six assists over 54 games. It was a far cry from his days hoisting the Cup, but the Czech defenseman remained a reliable presence on the back end. After a stint with the Chicago Blackhawks, who signed him as a free agent in 2017, Rutta was traded to the Lightning at the 2019 deadline and spent four seasons in Tampa Bay. In 2022, he left for a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, only to be traded again to the Sharks in the summer of 2023 as part of the Erik Karlsson deal. Now, after eight NHL seasons and a trophy case that most players would envy, Rutta is set for his first season in Europe since his days with Chomutov Pirati in the Czech Republic.
For Rutta, the move marks a new chapter in a career that has seen its share of ups and downs. Should this indeed be the end of his NHL journey, he leaves behind a legacy of 23 goals, 75 assists, and two Stanley Cups—no small feat for a player who never heard his name called at the NHL draft. His signing underscores a reality faced by many NHL veterans: when the market dries up, Europe can offer both a competitive league and a fresh start.
As for Grzelcyk, the clock is ticking. With training camps about to open, teams across the league are still shuffling their decks, looking for that final piece to solidify their blue line. Given his recent performance and clean bill of health, it’s hard to imagine Grzelcyk will remain unsigned much longer. His agent’s optimistic outlook suggests they’re waiting for the right fit rather than just any offer. "A lot of teams could use a player like Grzelcyk entering the new season, and it seems like it’s just a matter of time until he gets signed," the consensus seems to be among insiders.
In a summer where the unexpected has become the norm, the stories of Matt Grzelcyk and Jan Rutta serve as a reminder that professional hockey careers are rarely linear. Whether it’s waiting for the perfect NHL opportunity or embracing a new adventure in Europe, these defensemen continue to shape their own destinies. Fans and teams alike will be watching closely in the coming weeks to see where Grzelcyk lands and how Rutta adapts to his Swiss surroundings. For now, the market remains open—and so do the possibilities.
