BUFFALO — Like all rookies, Matt Grzelcyk is looking for an opening, a spot where the former Boston University defenseman can reside comfortably and contribute in the Bruins lineup. It’s his second year away from Comm. Ave., and at this point in his career, it’s all about finding fit.
“I love him, I think he’s a hockey player,’’ said Providence Bruins coach Jay Leach, who was with Grzelcyk all last season in the AHL. “He’s undersized but he’s not afraid to play defense. He has a nice stick. He obviously can skate and he’s obviously offensive. I think he’s got a lot of tools there.’’
Grzelcyk, after playing here Friday afternoon vs. Pittsburgh in the start of the four-team Prospects Challenge, earned a night off Saturday when the Boston rookies faced the Buffalo frosh. It’s his second year in this tournament, and after a full year of pro, he’s already been handed an “Advance to Go’’ card for the start of the Bruins varsity camp in Brighton.
Once among the Bruins seniors, the 5-foot-10-inch Grzelcyk will be fighting to secure a spot as the No. 7 defenseman, behind Zdeno Chara, Brandon Carlo, Charlie McAvoy, Adam McQuaid, Torey Krug, and Kevan Miller. Free agent Paul Postma, acquired July 1, also will be vying for the No. 7 spot.
In Leach’s words, for Grzelcyk it’s about “niche,’’ going out there and defining a role, which is something the favorite son of Charlestown figured he did last season with the WannaB’s.
“I think I know what I have to do, and it’s just about going out there and performing,’’ he said. “I think it just starts from moving the puck up, being that guy who can be reliable on the breakout and doesn’t have to spend too much time in his own zone — but is willing to play defense as well. And then when you get [an opportunity] on the power play, just go out there and try to take advantage of it.’’
Given his size, Grzelcyk has spent ample time examining the games of fellow downsized defensemen Krug and Jared Spurgeon, the 5-9 sprite who now has logged seven NHL seasons with the Wild.
No two players are identical, but Grzelcyk figures some of the elements of their game will make up the case he’ll have to present to coach Bruce Cassidy.
Gone are the days, thankfully, when prospective NHL blue liners had to be a minimum 6-1, 195 pounds just to earn a look in training camp, never mind consideration for full-time work. The faster, more mobile, ever-younger NHL now easily accommodates players such as the 5-10, 180-pound Grzelcyk, particularly if they can help push the pace with sharp first passes out of the defensive zone.
“I’m kind of lucky,’’ noted Grzelcyk, who posted a line of 6-26—32 in 70 games last season with Providence. “If I was around 20 years ago, I probably wouldn’t be getting a crack at it . . . [moving the puck] is one of my assets, so it’s something that I’ll have to showcase going forward. That’s what I’m looking to do, move the puck up to the forwards and let them make plays.’’
Paying for penalties
The Sabres, helped by a goal and two assists by ex-UMass Lowell standout C.J. Smith, rubbed out the Bruins, 7-4, in Boston’s second game of the rookie tournament.
Buffalo did not score a single goal at even strength. The Sabres connected five times on the power play, once shorthanded, and then finished it off with a final goal with goalie Luke Richardson out of the net.
Justin Hickman, Sean Kuraly, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Anders Bjork scored for the Bruins.
“I really liked out first two periods,’’ said Leach, the two sides knotted, 3-3, after 40 minutes. “The third period just got a little whacky.’’
Official debut for Bjork
Bjork, signed away from Notre Dame over the summer, made his pro rookie debut Saturday night, working at right wing on a No. 1 line that featured Jake DeBrusk at left wing and Jack Studnicka at center.
“One of the main keys for that game was to stay calm, focused and poised no matter what happens,’’ said Bjork. “It was a little bit of a messy game with a lot of penalties, so it’s easy to get heated or upset, but it was a good reminder for us to stay calm and play our game.’’
Bjork came to Boston over the summer for an abbreviated visit to development camp, so the game here marked a true debut, of sorts.
“Every time I see him [on the ice], I walk away and say, ‘Whoa! I never played like that,’ ’’ said Leach, leading up to the 7 p.m. faceoff. “He’s got an exceptional ability to read things. He’s got that ability to be inside people, make these nice little plays that really not a lot of people can make. Every day he keeps doing it. He’ll just have to get comfortable with the pro game, like every player does — he’ll play bigger guys and stronger guys. His ability to learn how to get inside those bigger, stronger guys will be his key to getting where he wants to go.’’
A lefthanded shot, Bjork played right wing throughout most of his amateur career, feeling his “off wing’’ provided him an advantage in the attack zone.
“Especially off the rush, you can kind of cut in on your forehand,’’ he said. “It kind of depends on the type of player you are, but it’s different for protecting the puck on rush . . . it’s mainly for rush purposes. Once you’re in the offensive zone, it doesn’t matter what wing you are.’’
No game on Sunday
The Bruins don’t have a game scheduled on Sunday. They’ll practice early in the afternoon and then face the Devils in a Monday noon matchup to wrap up tournament play . . . There are no workouts scheduled for any Bruins, rooks or vets, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Full camp officially opens on Thursday in Brighton but the first on-ice workouts won’t start until Friday morning.
Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKPD.
