Matt Grzelcyk is staying in his hometown.
The Boston Bruins signed the 26-year-old defenseman to a four-year contract Saturday with an annual cap hit of $3,687,500.
Grzelcyk, who played the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons on a two-year extension worth $2.8 million, would have headed to arbitration on Oct. 20 as a restricted free agent.
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Instead, the Bruins locked up the Charlestown, Mass., native through 2024, ensuring a core member of their blue line will stay put after letting Torey Krug walk in free agency.
Grzelcyk is coming off his best season as a Bruin in which he tallied 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) and was a plus-15 in 68 games played. With Krug off to the St. Louis Blues, Grzelcyk potentially could join Charlie McAvoy as Boston's top defensive pairing.
The Bruins also re-signed fellow defenseman Kevan Miller but have a major decision looming with captain Zdeno Chara, who reportedly is mulling a free-agent departure after 14 seasons in Boston.