ROCCO GRIMALDI - Center - 26 - $1MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2020-2021
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
Grimaldi is the kind of player who I have an incredible amount of respect for. An NCAA star, Grimaldi has been building a record of success in the AHL since 2014, paying his dues for an NHL opportunity. As he stands only six inches above five feet tall, Grimaldi isn't someone who gets a long leash in the NHL. He doesn't have that coveted "unteachable" size, and as a result teams are far more willing to give a six-foot-six player a chance over Grimaldi. Grimaldi, despite being able to score very well at lower levels, doesn't have the puck skills or offensive touch to be a high-end scorer at the NHL level. That also damages his ability to get NHL chances, as teams are more likely to trust a bigger, stronger player with a bottom-6 defensive or physical role. Grimaldi finally broke into the NHL with the Nashville Predators, though, and by the looks of it, he seems to have cemented himself as a legitimate NHL player with value. Like I said, Grimaldi isn't a skill player. He won't score an incredible amount, and he's too small to play in a true shut down role. That being said, Grimaldi has made himself into a valuable NHL player through sheer force of will and through his relentless work ethic and motor. Oh, and he's also really, really smart on the ice. He needs to be, given his physical disadvantages. Though, one of the benefits of his lack of size is that he's got high-level speed and burst. Grimaldi is the definition of an energy player. He makes the most out of every second he's given of NHL ice time, and he's willing to lay it all on the line for his team. He may not take the puck from the goal line and lead a rush down the ice, but if his coach needs a player in the corner digging for a puck or needs a forechecker to energize a sluggish team, Grimaldi can do that. He brings a spark to the lineup that few players can match. He has a will to succeed that is unmatched by many players, and he's not the type of player I'd bet against. He may not seem like much, but when you watch his game you see a diamond in the rough, a truly valuable bottom-6 jitterbug.
Grimaldi is the kind of player who I have an incredible amount of respect for. An NCAA star, Grimaldi has been building a record of success in the AHL since 2014, paying his dues for an NHL opportunity. As he stands only six inches above five feet tall, Grimaldi isn't someone who gets a long leash in the NHL. He doesn't have that coveted "unteachable" size, and as a result teams are far more willing to give a six-foot-six player a chance over Grimaldi. Grimaldi, despite being able to score very well at lower levels, doesn't have the puck skills or offensive touch to be a high-end scorer at the NHL level. That also damages his ability to get NHL chances, as teams are more likely to trust a bigger, stronger player with a bottom-6 defensive or physical role. Grimaldi finally broke into the NHL with the Nashville Predators, though, and by the looks of it, he seems to have cemented himself as a legitimate NHL player with value. Like I said, Grimaldi isn't a skill player. He won't score an incredible amount, and he's too small to play in a true shut down role. That being said, Grimaldi has made himself into a valuable NHL player through sheer force of will and through his relentless work ethic and motor. Oh, and he's also really, really smart on the ice. He needs to be, given his physical disadvantages. Though, one of the benefits of his lack of size is that he's got high-level speed and burst. Grimaldi is the definition of an energy player. He makes the most out of every second he's given of NHL ice time, and he's willing to lay it all on the line for his team. He may not take the puck from the goal line and lead a rush down the ice, but if his coach needs a player in the corner digging for a puck or needs a forechecker to energize a sluggish team, Grimaldi can do that. He brings a spark to the lineup that few players can match. He has a will to succeed that is unmatched by many players, and he's not the type of player I'd bet against. He may not seem like much, but when you watch his game you see a diamond in the rough, a truly valuable bottom-6 jitterbug.
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