Matt Grzelcyk
| Position | Left Defense | Current Team | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Shoots | Left | Current Contract | 1 years |
| Height | 5'10" | Expires | 2025-26 |
| Weight (lbs) | 180 | Expiry Age (Jun 30) | 32 |
| Age | 31 (Jan 5, 1994) | Expiry Status | UFA |
| Drafted | 2012, Round 3, Overall 85 (BOS) |
| Date | Team | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 5, 2025 | Chicago Blackhawks | Signed 1 year @ $1.000M AAV starting in 2025-26 | |
| Jul 1, 2024 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Signed 1 year @ $2.750M AAV starting in 2024-25 | |
| Oct 17, 2020 | Boston Bruins | Signed 4 years @ $3.688M AAV starting in 2020-21 | |
| Jun 15, 2018 | Boston Bruins | Signed 2 years @ $1.400M AAV starting in 2018-19 | |
| Apr 1, 2016 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Signed to an entry level contract. |
2025-26 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20252026/matthew-grzelcyk-8476891.png
2024-25 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20242025/matthew-grzelcyk-8476891.png
2023-24 Player Card
URL: https://www.thestanleycap.com/cdn/player_cards/20232024/matthew-grzelcyk-8476891.png
About Player Cards
Player cards present an infographic of a players performance. In this case it shows the player performance over a 3 season span. Each square is separated into three separate sub-boxes with the two smaller boxes on top representing the past two seasons and the larger box on the bottom representing the current or most recent season. This allows the reader to guage how consistent a player has been, and if early in the season it can help identify whether a players performance may be impacted by small sample size and subject to regression or is consistent with recent past performance.
Notes and Definitions
- The numbers represent percentiles so the higher the better.
- Percentiles are determined by comparing Forwards to Forwards and Defensemen to Defensemen.
- Bursts/mi are calculated from NHL Edge Data are are speed bursts above 20mpg per mile skated. The NHL doesn't adjust for ice time so the players that skate more will naturally have more bursts over 20, or at least more opportunity to have more. The NHL also does not provide ice time in the context of NHL Edge Statistics, however, it does provide distance skated. By adjusting for distance skated it will have a similar effect to adjusting for ice time but also adjust for situationional effect. For example, Players don't typically skate as much on the PK, mostly within the defensive zone, so don't get significant opportunity in that ice time to get speed bursts above 20mph. Adjusting with miles skates would account for this better than adjusting with ice time.
- Sh%AE is Shooting Percentage above Expected (Sh% - xSh%) and is an indicator of how good a shooter is at converting chances into goals.
- Relative statistics are On Ice - Off Ice statistics and can be an indicator of whether the player makes his teammates better or worse.
- All data is 5v5 except Shooting Hardest and Average, Skating Top Speed and Bursts/mi which are all situations, ES Average which is even strength (NHL doesn't give a specific definition).
Data Sources
- Salary data is from TheStanleyCap.com
- Shooting and Skating (except Sh%AE) are from NHL Edge
- Other statistics are from Puckalytics.com and derived from data from NHL.com
Terms of Use
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Note: The image will update daily throughout the season so if you want to include snapshot then you must download the image.
If you have any questions, send an e-mail to the e-mail address at the top of this page.
5v5 Individual Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | G/60 | A/60 | Pts/60 | xG/60 | GAE/60 | Sh% | xSh% | Sh%AE | %SA Rush | %SA Reb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | BOS | 2 | 20:52 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.16 | -0.16 | 0.00 | 1.87 | -1.87 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 61 | 880:50 | 0.20 | 0.61 | 0.82 | 0.23 | -0.03 | 4.17 | 4.74 | -0.57 | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 66 | 1055:18 | 0.06 | 0.40 | 0.45 | 0.18 | -0.12 | 1.25 | 3.90 | -2.65 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 68 | 980:32 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 0.67 | 0.21 | -0.02 | 3.37 | 3.77 | -0.40 | 1.74 | 1.74 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 37 | 571:21 | 0.32 | 0.84 | 1.16 | 0.19 | 0.13 | 4.84 | 2.88 | 1.96 | 0.00 | 2.56 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 73 | 1164:46 | 0.15 | 0.62 | 0.77 | 0.18 | -0.03 | 2.97 | 3.49 | -0.52 | 0.00 | 3.17 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 75 | 1168:42 | 0.15 | 0.98 | 1.13 | 0.19 | -0.04 | 3.33 | 4.22 | -0.89 | 0.74 | 2.96 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 63 | 982:41 | 0.06 | 0.55 | 0.61 | 0.13 | -0.07 | 1.92 | 4.20 | -2.28 | 1.12 | 4.49 |
| 2024-25 | PIT | 82 | 1396:16 | 0.04 | 0.95 | 0.99 | 0.13 | -0.09 | 1.35 | 4.22 | -2.87 | 1.54 | 0.77 |
| 2025-26 | CHI | 15 | 212:13 | 0.00 | 0.85 | 0.85 | 0.11 | -0.11 | 0.00 | 1.98 | -1.98 | 0.00 | 3.85 |
5v5 On Ice Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | SAF/60 | GF/60 | xGF/60 | SAA/60 | GA/60 | xGA/60 | GF% | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | BOS | 2 | 20:52 | 60.38 | 5.75 | 3.90 | 51.76 | 2.88 | 3.86 | 66.67 | 50.27 | 1.08 | 0.80 | 2.29 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 61 | 880:50 | 45.91 | 2.86 | 2.70 | 34.74 | 1.16 | 1.94 | 71.19 | 58.10 | 0.14 | -0.28 | 4.68 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 66 | 1055:18 | 43.67 | 1.99 | 2.32 | 39.06 | 1.59 | 2.22 | 55.56 | 51.13 | -0.27 | -0.02 | -2.48 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 68 | 980:32 | 42.41 | 2.02 | 2.38 | 37.14 | 1.59 | 1.90 | 55.93 | 55.63 | 0.08 | -0.38 | 5.39 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 37 | 571:21 | 51.98 | 3.05 | 2.89 | 32.13 | 1.47 | 1.81 | 67.44 | 61.44 | 0.76 | -0.28 | 11.00 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 73 | 1164:46 | 47.49 | 2.94 | 2.81 | 35.08 | 1.91 | 1.92 | 60.64 | 59.37 | 0.10 | -0.21 | 3.37 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 75 | 1168:42 | 44.56 | 3.54 | 2.86 | 39.94 | 1.49 | 2.42 | 70.41 | 54.15 | 0.10 | -0.02 | 1.09 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 63 | 982:41 | 39.57 | 2.50 | 2.47 | 48.17 | 1.65 | 2.77 | 60.29 | 47.14 | -0.03 | 0.45 | -4.78 |
| 2024-25 | PIT | 82 | 1396:16 | 40.87 | 2.58 | 2.33 | 42.97 | 2.71 | 2.62 | 48.78 | 47.08 | -0.17 | 0.16 | -3.33 |
| 2025-26 | CHI | 15 | 212:13 | 47.78 | 4.52 | 3.20 | 36.75 | 1.70 | 2.48 | 72.73 | 56.30 | 1.15 | -0.38 | 14.56 |
NHL Edge Stats
| Skating | Shooting | Zone Time | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | Top Speed | Bursts>20/mi | Avg. Speed | ES Avg. Speed | Top Speed | Avg. Speed | %Long Range | %Mid Range | %High Danger | ES DZ% | ES NZ% | ES OZ% |
| This table is for Basic and Premium subscribers only. To view please login to and/or subscribe to one of our subscription plans. | |||||||||||||
Legend
| Percentile 0-25 | Percentile 25-50 | Percentile 50-75 | Percentile 75-100 |
5v5 Defense Pairs
| Season | Teammate | Team | TOI | GF/60 | GA/60 | GF% | xGF/60 | xGA/60 | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|
Glossary
| Type | Statistic | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | G/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | A/60 | Assists per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | Pts/60 | Points per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | xG/60 | Expected Goals per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | GAE/60 | Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60). |
| Individual | Sh% | Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | xSh% | Expected Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | Sh%AE | Shooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%). |
| Individual | %SA Rush | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush. |
| Individual | %SA Reb. | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds. |
| On Ice | SAF/60 | Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | GF/60 | Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | xGF/60 | Expected Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | SAA/60 | Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GA/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGA/60 | Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GF% | Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF% | Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF Rel | xGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice. |
| On Ice | xGA Rel | xGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGF% Rel | xGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice. |
News and Opinions
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Blackhawks Tough Training Camp Decisions Resolved, Regular Season Awaits at The Hockey Writers (Mon Oct 6, 2025)
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Grzelcyk, 31, nets one-year deal from Blackhawks at ESPN (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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Matt Grzelyck Can Be A Low-Risk, High-Reward Signing For The Blackhawks at The Hockey News (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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Blackhawks Sign Matt Grzelcyk, Make Significant Roster Decisions at Yahoo Sports NHL (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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Reports: Blackhawks sign D Matt Grzelcyk to one-year contract at Second City Hockey (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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REPORT: Chicago Blackhawks Sign Matt Grzelcyk To One-Year Contract at Chicago Hockey Now (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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Blackhawks reportedly sign defenseman Matt Grzelcyk at Blackhawk Up (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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Matt Grzelcyk Should Be Given a Contract with the Blackhawks at Blackhawk Up (Fri Oct 3, 2025)
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Five NHL Teams That Could Be A Good Fit For Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk Despite Blackhawks PTO at Yahoo Sports NHL (Sat Sep 20, 2025)
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Ramifications of Matt Grzelcyk’s PTO With Chicago Blackhawks at The Hockey Writers (Sat Sep 20, 2025)
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Jack’s Daily: More Hard Work; Grzelcyk’s Future; Celebrini Still Sick at Chicago Hockey Now (Sat Sep 20, 2025)
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Colorado Avalanche linked to veteran blueliner by insider at Mile High Sticking (Fri Sep 19, 2025)
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Blackhawks Coach Provides Matt Grzelcyk Update at Yahoo Sports NHL (Fri Sep 19, 2025)
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Why Free Agent Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk Makes Sense For Islanders at Yahoo Sports NHL (Fri Sep 19, 2025)
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Matt Grzelcyk Has Experience Playing With Elite NHL Players at Yahoo Sports NHL (Wed Sep 17, 2025)
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Matt Grzelcyk Would Add Veteran Presence & Offensive Boost To Blackhawks Blue-Line at Yahoo Sports NHL (Wed Sep 17, 2025)
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Chicago Blackhawks Reportedly Sign Matt Grzelcyk To PTO at Chicago Hockey Now (Tue Sep 16, 2025)
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Matt Grzelcyk could solve a painful Red Wings problem at Octopus Thrower (Wed Sep 10, 2025)
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Maple Leafs News & Rumours: CBA Impact, Grzelcyk Target & Nylander Noise at The Hockey Writers (Thu Sep 4, 2025)
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Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving And Darren Ferris Discuss Free Agent — Could It Be Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk? at Yahoo Sports NHL (Tue Sep 2, 2025)
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Major Development Pressures Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin to Sign Available 40-Point Defenseman at Canucks Daily (Mon Sep 1, 2025)
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NHL rumors: Why Matt Grzelcyk remains without a contract at Yahoo Sports (Mon Aug 25, 2025)
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Grzelcyk Fits The Need, But Not The Budget at Mile High Hockey (Mon Aug 25, 2025)
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3 Remaining UFAs the Capitals Should Pursue at The Hockey Writers (Mon Aug 18, 2025)
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NHL Rumors: Waiver Targets for the Edmonton Oilers, and UFA Matt Grzelcyk at NHL Rumors (Sat Aug 16, 2025)
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Maple Leafs Urged to Sign 'Elite Quarterback' Free Agent at Yahoo Sports (Fri Aug 15, 2025)
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Best last-minute Matt Grzelcyk destinations in 2025 NHL Free Agency at Yahoo Sports (Wed Aug 13, 2025)
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Three NHL Teams That Could Use UFA Matt Grzelcyk at The Hockey News (Tue Aug 12, 2025)
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Flames News & Rumours: Andersson, Parekh & Grzelcyk at The Hockey Writers (Tue Aug 12, 2025)
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3 free agents Flyers could bring to training camp at Broad Street Hockey (Mon Aug 11, 2025)
Current Contract
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 30 | $2,750,000 | $2,750,000 | - | - | $2,750,000 | $2,750,000 | $2,750,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $2,750,000 | $2,750,000 | $2,750,000 |
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 26 | $3,687,500 | $3,687,500 | - | - | $2,250,000 | $2,250,000 | $2,250,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| 2021-22 | 27 | $3,687,500 | $3,687,500 | - | - | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 | UFA | ||
| 2022-23 | 28 | $3,687,500 | $3,687,500 | - | - | $4,250,000 | $4,250,000 | $4,250,000 | UFA | ||
| 2023-24 | 29 | $3,687,500 | $3,687,500 | - | - | $4,250,000 | $4,250,000 | $4,250,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $14,750,000 | $14,750,000 | $14,750,000 |
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 24 | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | - | - | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| 2019-20 | 25 | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | - | - | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| Total | - | - | $2,800,000 | $2,800,000 | $2,800,000 |
Entry Level Contract ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 22 | $858,750 | $858,750 | $132,500 | $92,500 | $700,000 | $792,500 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| 2017-18 | 23 | $858,750 | $858,750 | - | $92,500 | $832,500 | $925,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| Total | $132,500 | $185,000 | $1,532,500 | $1,717,500 | $140,000 |
Career Statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G |
| 2009-10 | High-MA | Belmont Hill | 31 | 2 | 18 | 20 | 30 | |||||||||||||
| 2010-11 | U-17 | USNTDP | 17 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 10 | |||||||||||||
| 2010-11 | USHL | USNTDP | 36 | 1 | 9 | 10 | +6 | 28 | 43 | 233.0 | 2 | +1 | 2 | 3 | 0.0 | |||||
| 2011-12 | U-18 | USNTDP | 36 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 16 | |||||||||||||
| 2011-12 | USHL | USNTDP | 24 | 1 | 10 | 11 | +8 | 6 | 29 | 345.0 | ||||||||||
| 2011-12 | WJ18-A | USA | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2012-13 | H-East | Boston University | 38 | 3 | 20 | 23 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| 2013-14 | H-East | Boston University | 19 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 16 | |||||||||||||
| 2013-14 | WJC-A | USA | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | +1 | 2 | 19 | |||||||||||
| 2014-15 | H-East | Boston University | 41 | 10 | 28 | 38 | 36 | |||||||||||||
| 2015-16 | NCAA | Boston Univ. | 27 | 10 | 13 | 23 | +17 | 36 | ||||||||||||
| 2016-17 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.0 | 12:29 | ||||||||||
| 2016-17 | AHL | Providence Bruins | 70 | 6 | 26 | 32 | +13 | 18 | 17 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 8 | |||||||
| 2017-18 | AHL | Providence Bruins | 14 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +4 | 14 | ||||||||||||
| 2017-18 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 61 | 3 | 12 | 15 | +21 | 22 | 82 | 3.7 | 16:44 | 11 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 | 8 | 0.0 | 15:56 | |
| 2018-19 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 66 | 3 | 15 | 18 | +9 | 68 | 90 | 3.3 | 19:08 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -3 | 6 | 35 | 11.4 | 16:27 |
| 2019-20 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 68 | 4 | 17 | 21 | +15 | 34 | 112 | 3.6 | 18:04 | 12 | 1 | 1 | -5 | 4 | 9 | 0.0 | 19:46 | |
| 2020-21 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 37 | 5 | 15 | 20 | +11 | 22 | 80 | 6.3 | 19:45 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 4 | 16 | 6.3 | 20:08 |
| 2021-22 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 73 | 4 | 20 | 24 | +22 | 24 | 118 | 3.4 | 18:44 | 5 | -6 | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 18:09 | |||
| 2022-23 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 75 | 4 | 22 | 26 | +46 | 28 | 102 | 3.9 | 17:14 | 4 | -1 | 6 | 0.0 | 13:00 | ||||
| 2023-24 | NHL | Boston Bruins | 63 | 2 | 9 | 11 | +13 | 37 | 59 | 3.4 | 17:36 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0.0 | 18:10 | ||||
| 2024-25 | NHL | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 1 | 39 | 40 | -6 | 16 | 94 | 1.1 | 20:37 | |||||||||
| 2025-26 | NHL | Chicago Blackhawks | 15 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +10 | 2 | 21 | 0.0 | 15:12 | |||||||||
| NHL Career | 542 | 26 | 152 | 178 | +141 | 255 | 762 | 3.4 | 18:22 | 66 | 5 | 9 | 14 | -19 | 26 | 80 | 6.2 | 17:35 | ||