This completed signing by the Chicago Blackhawks appears as a disappointment: 'A poor decision'

Grzelcyk inked a one-year, $1 million deal with the Blackhawks after a preseason PTO, hoping to add some reliable depth.

TheHockeyNews calls the signing of Grzelcyk a 'poor decision.'

He arrives with a solid pedigree: last season he put up 40 points (1 goal, 39 assists) in 82 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, logging over 20 minutes a night.

Three months in, though, and the return on investment is underwhelming. After 27 games with Chicago, he's tallied only four assists.

His ice time has averaged around 15:39 per night, significantly lower than expected, when he's inseryrf into the lineup.

It's not just the modest production: his presence seems to protect the kids less than many hoped. Grzelcyk has been paired often with the only other veteran defenseman, Connor Murphy, which means younger players are staying on the sidelines rather than getting NHL minutes.

He's also barely involved in the power play or penalty kill units.

Fans who thought this signing would offer security during a rough rebuild are seeing the opposite.

The younger defenders are missing NHL-level reps while a veteran who once produced at a 40-point pace struggles to break even offensively. That's a tough pill to swallow when your club is trying to develop talent.

If Chicago is hoping for Grzelcyk to help steady the blue line and mentor rising players, that ship seems to have sailed.

His weak production and the lack of opportunity given to younger players make this deal look like it backfired.