The numbers certainly satisfy Matt Grzelcyk.

Establishing a new career-high in points with roughly two months remaining in the season is certainly something to be mollified by.

But Grzelcyk finds more accomplishment in a more profound pursuit.

His confidence is back.

When the defenseman signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in July, he admitted to a deficit in his self-esteem with the Boston Bruins last offseason.

Today, with the benefit of 28 points (one goal, 27 assists) in 57 games, he is in a different place.

“I feel good about where my game is at,” Grzelcyk said. “When it’s going well offensively, I think it bleeds into the defensive side too. You seem to have your legs a little bit more and you’re playing with more urgency, wanting to get up in play. Just trying to do that responsibly right now and not get too out of control.”

When the Penguins brought in Grzelcyk, the expectations were modest. At least that’s what one can assume by the somewhat frugal one-year contract he agreed to worth $2.75 million.

Partially due to injuries, he struggled considerably in his final campaign with the Bruins and became a regular healthy scratch.

So far this season, he has yet to miss a game with the Penguins and has established a role on one of the top two defensive pairings — they really don’t have a defined top pairing, per se — and has become a trusted component on the team’s top power-play unit.

The seeds of that were planted in training camp. Erik Karlsson, Grzelcyk’s current partner in five-on-five play, was sideliend for all of preseason due to an undisclosed injury and that created an opportunity for Grzelcyk to get some power-play work during camp.

“I’ve run the power play in the past but at the beginning of the year, it wasn’t something that I really sought after or envisioned, to be honest,” Grzelcyk said. “But throughout training camp, started to get a little more action with the second unit, just trying to stay ready. Both units, as a whole, I think we’ve been going pretty good.

“When I’m out there, I’m trying to dish to (forward Sidney Crosby) or whoever is on the other half wall. Just trying to get the puck through whenever I can.”

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While Grzelcyk operates the top unit, Karlsson and Kris Letang, each All-Star defensemen, have been relegated to the second unit. That development surprised him to a certain extent.

“It wasn’t something that I really discussed with the team coming in (this past) offseason,” Grzelcyk said. “Just kind of happened to work out that way. I was just looking to rebuild my game after a tough year last year. Getting on the power play, getting some more touches kind of just gives you a little bit more confidence in the offensive zone. When you have that, you’re skating a little bit more and you’re able to close plays defensively.”

As far as the sheer number of points he has accumulated, Grzelcyk, 31, isn’t necessarily fixated on any specific figures. But he labels his production as a symptom of his overall improved play.

“It feels nice for sure,” Grzelcyk said. “I wouldn’t say it’s something that you go out and seek and hit a certain number, especially as a (defenseman). But it’s always nice to see you get rewarded offensively. It gives you a little bit of confidence going throughout the rest of the year.”

To be certain, Grzelcyk’s season hasn’t been without some turbulence, particularly in the early stages. But he has leveled his wings in recent months.

“I don’t know what game it was but something clicked and he’s been one of our better players just consistently,” forward Kevin Hayes said. “He plays hard defensively, has an unreal first pass, great on the power play, settles things down, super smooth. He’s just a super low-key human, low-key guy and it helps his game.”

As evidenced by the trades that jettisoned pending free agent forwards Lars Eller and Drew O’Connor as well as defenseman Marcus Pettersson so far this season, the Penguins are open for business when it comes to players who are on expiring contracts.

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Grzelcyk isn’t oblivious to the possibility of being traded.

But with his reestablished confidence, he copes with that possibility better than he did a year ago.

“I wasn’t happy with where my game was,” Grzelcyk said. “I knew I had one year left (on his previous contract). I had only ever been in Boston. There was a lot of anxiety, I would say, around that. But this year, I don’t really have a ton. They’ve given me a ton of opportunity here. I’m really confident of where my game is at. Going through that experience last year helps this year. Just control what you can control as best you can.

“With where we’re at, we’re in such a dogfight right now, our focus is just on trying to get as many wins as we can here and go on a bit of a run. That’s where my mind is at.”

Follow the Penguins all season long.