Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy believes that putting the two together was a natural decision given the similarities between Grzelcyk and Krug - both in their stature and style of play - and its potential to limit the amount of turbulence that Krug's departure could cause the Bruins' second pairing.
"Grizz, if you're gonna compare him to anyone on our team over the years, it's probably Torey Krug," Cassidy said of the 5-foot-9, 174-pound Charlestown native. "The element of what he brings for Brandon hasn't changed a ton in terms of it helps Brandon transition pucks. Brandon's a bigger body that's grown into more of a shutdown guy that can take care of the front of the net. He gets a little more physical every year - complements that kind of player.
"We don't think there should be much of a drop off there, in terms of how the pair functions. Grizz has got a ways [to go] to equal Torey's numbers in the league but he's gonna get more of an opportunity this year to do that. That was the thinking there."
Grzelcyk also gives Cassidy plenty of options. While the former Boston University standout has played most of his three full seasons with the Black & Gold on the third pairing - alongside the likes of Kevan Miller and Connor Clifton - he has also seen time with Charlie McAvoy, both with the Bruins and the Terriers.
"We know Grizz can play with Charlie. It's an easy switch," said Cassidy, who started camp with McAvoy and Jeremy Lauzon as the B's top pair. "We know we can put him with Kevan Miller. Kevan Miller did a great job with Grizz when he first got into the league, sort of teaching him the nuances of the game and being a big brother for him. We know we have that in our back pocket if we have to make a switch."
Grzelcyk echoed his coach's sentiments, saying that he and Carlo complement each other by both bringing a different set of skills to the table.
"Brandon's a great player, obviously, as we've gotten to know over the last couple of years," said Grzelcyk. "He skates so well for how big he is and makes it a lot easier when you're playing with him to close plays quickly and kind of get going the other way…one of the best defenders 5-on-5, can PK a ton, and I think he takes a lot of pressure off you being his partner.
"He takes a lot of pride in closing off plays himself and I think that allows me to grab pucks, hopefully, and get transition the other way, which is what we want to do. We want to play fast, and he does that so well.
"It's been a joy over the last couple years to get a little bit of time here and there but especially the last few days, build that chemistry a little bit. It's been really fun to play with him."
