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Rocco Grimaldi

Ducks Sign Rocco Grimaldi To AHL Deal

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It was a semi-successful tryout in Anaheim for winger Rocco Grimaldi.  The 29-year-old had a strong preseason for the Ducks with a goal and four assists in four games which has helped him earn a contract.  However, it’s of the minor league variety as the team announced that Grimaldi has signed a contract with San Diego, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate.

In 2019-20, Grimaldi was a quality secondary scorer with Nashville, notching 10 goals with 21 assists in 66 games which helped him earn a two-year deal that summer, one that carries a $2MM price tag per season.  However, the last two seasons didn’t go as well.  He dropped to 13 points in 40 contests in 2020-21 and he spent most of last year in the minors with Milwaukee where he was quite productive with 26 goals and 26 assists in 44 games.

However, that performance wasn’t enough to land even a two-way deal in free agency this summer which forced him to go the tryout route with Anaheim.  He still doesn’t come out of it with an NHL deal in tow but he’ll have a chance to play big minutes with the Gulls and perhaps play his way into an opportunity with the Ducks midseason if injuries arise.

Anaheim Ducks Sign Rocco Grimaldi To PTO

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After spending most of the 2021-22 season in the minor leagues, Rocco Grimaldi has agreed to a professional tryout with the Anaheim Ducks to try and show he can still compete in the NHL, according to CapFriendly.

The 29-year-old forward has suited up 203 times at the highest level, and was a lineup regular with the Nashville Predators as recently as 2019-20. That season in 66 games, the undersized forward scored ten goals and 31 points, despite playing fewer than 13 minutes a game. Last year in 44 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, he was a force of nature, scoring 26 goals and 52 points.

There’s a fine line between NHL regular and AHL superstar, and Grimaldi has found himself on the wrong side of it too many times in the past. His diminutive stature – he stands just 5’6″ – is likely the cause of that, despite relatively strong results whenever he has played. In Anaheim, where they are continuing the transition to a young, exciting lineup, perhaps there will be some extra ice time for a veteran like Grimaldi. He’ll have a chance to show off his skills at camp this week, and likely play in some preseason action.

Nashville Predators Extend Rocco Grimaldi

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While the rest of the league is busy making trades, the Nashville Predators have decided to sign one of their players to an extension. Rocco Grimaldi has signed a two-year contract extension that carries him through the 2021-22 season. The deal will pay Grimaldi $2MM in each year.

Grimaldi, 27, has finally seemed to find a home in Nashville after bouncing around the league his first few seasons. In 58 games this year he has already set career-highs in goals, assists, points, +/-, and time on ice. Ten goals and 30 points may not be eye-popping numbers, but on a team whose identity is collective scoring he fits right into the mix.

Still, even though he has outperformed a $2MM salary, the Predators have been criticized in the past for not having any real stars to lead their group. Locking up another player like Grimaldi just leans into that even further, given how little cap space the team will be dealing with moving forward. Mikael Granlund and Craig Smith are both coming off the books, but with a huge raise coming for Roman Josi and real concern in net there won’t be a lot left.

Grimaldi would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, and will be a UFA in 2022.

2019 Arbitration Figures And Results

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August 6th: All arbitration cases have now been completed. In total, six cases were decided by an arbitrator’s award this year. That number, though seemingly not many, actually presents a 50% increase over last summer and more than the past two off-seasons combined. Of those six decisions, the teams and players received the favorable decision an even three times apiece, and each award landed within $150K of the midpoint. All things considered, there were few surprises in arbitration, even though there were more awards than expected. Now the question is where the relationships between those teams and players go from here.

Originally published on July 19th: Friday marked the start of the arbitration season in the NHL, with Brock McGinn first scheduled for his hearing with the Carolina Hurricanes. The appointments will come fast and furious after that, with 23 cases left on the books. When we asked our readers how many would actually get to the hearing stage more than 36% of voters thought 3-4 was reasonable, the same number that reached last year.

We know now that at least one will, as Andrew Copp’s agent Kurt Overhardt told Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press that their camp will “look forward to” the hearing scheduled for Sunday. Copp and the Jets exchanged figures earlier today. It is important to remember that the two sides can actually work out a deal in the short period after the hearing and before the actual decision is submitted by the arbitrator. For every case except Ville Husso, who the St. Louis Blues took to arbitration, the team involved will be allowed to choose the duration of the contract awarded. They can choose either one or two years, unless the player is only one year away from unrestricted free agency, at which point only a one-year deal is available.

Here we’ll keep track of all the hearings still on the books and the figures submitted. This page will be updated as the numbers come in:

July 20:

Brock McGinn, Carolina Hurricanes – Team: $1.75MM AAV, Player: $2.7MM AAV
Settled: Two years, $2.1MM AAV

July 21:

Andrew Copp, Winnipeg Jets – Team: $1.5MM AAV, Player: $2.9MM AAV
Awarded: Two years, $2.28MM AAV

July 22: 

MacKenzie Weegar, Florida Panthers
Settled: One year, $1.6MM AAV

Zach Aston-Reese, Pittsburgh Penguins
Settled: Two years, $1.0MM AAV

Ville Husso, St. Louis Blues (team-elected)
Settled: One year, two-way, $700K AAV

Christian Djoos, Washington Capitals – Team: $800K, Player: $1.9MM
Awarded: One year, $1.25MM AAV

July 23: 

Evan Rodrigues, Buffalo Sabres – Team: $1.5MM, Player: $2.65MM
Awarded: One year, $2.0MM AAV

July 24: 

Oskar Sundqvist, St. Louis Blues
Settled: Four years, $2.75MM AAV

Neal Pionk, Winnipeg Jets
Settled: Two years, $3.0MM AAV

July 26: 

Colton Sissons, Nashville Predators
Settled: Seven years, $2.86MM AAV

July 27: 

Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames
Settled: Two years, $2.55MM AAV

July 28: 

Mirco Mueller, New Jersey Devils
Settled: One year, $1.4MM AAV

July 29: 

David Rittich, Calgary Flames
Settled: Two years, $2.75MM AAV

Pavel Buchnevich, New York Rangers
Settled: Two years, $3.25MM AAV

August 1: 

Remi Elie, Buffalo Sabres
Settled: One year, two-way $700K AAV

Chandler Stephenson, Washington Capitals
Settled: One year, $1.05MM

August 2: 

Linus Ullmark, Buffalo Sabres – Team: $800K, Player: $2.65MM
Settled: One year, $1.33MM

Will Butcher, New Jersey Devils
Settled: Three years, $3.73MM AAV

August 4: 

Jake McCabe, Buffalo Sabres – Team: 1.95MM, Player: $4.3MM
Settled: Two years, $2.85MM AAV

Anton Forsberg, Carolina Hurricanes – Team: $700K/$70K, Player: $833K
Awarded: One year, $775K AAV

Sheldon Dries, Colorado Avalanche
Settled: One year, two-way $735K AAV

Rocco Grimaldi, Nashville Predators – Team: $700K/$70K, Player $1.275MM
Awarded: One year, $1MM

Joel Edmundson, St. Louis Blues – Team: $2.3MM, Player $4.2MM
Awarded: One year, $3.1MM

Rocco Grimaldi Receives Arbitration Award

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The final arbitration case of the 2019 off-season is in the books. The Nashville Predators announced that the independent arbitrator has awarded forward Rocco Grimaldi a one-year, one-way, $1MM contract. The Predators had requested a minimum $700K salary and two-way contract for Grimaldi, while the 26-year-old filed at $1.275MM, resulting in a $988K midpoint for the case. As such, this award is a win for Grimaldi’s camp in terms of both the nature and value of the contract.

Grimaldi finally found a fit for himself in Nashville last season and failing to impress in stops with the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche. After recording ten points in his previous 37 NHL appearances over four seasons, Grimaldi played in 53 games for the Predators last season and contributed 13 points, plus three goals in five playoff games, while also developing an effective two-way game. Given his meager 5’6″ frame, Grimaldi’s defensive growth came as a nice addition, as did his ability to win puck battles and create offense when called upon by the team.

There are still doubts that the former University of North Dakota star can be a regular in the NHL, seeing as Nashville still sat him for nearly 30 games last season. However, a one-way deal makes it even less likely that the Predators will try to pass Grimaldi through waivers this season. Most likely, he will continue to serve an important depth role and could fight for even more starts in the upcoming campaign.

The award for Grimaldi currently leaves the Predators with just $1.34MM in projected cap space. However, he was their final unsigned restricted free agent, meaning Nashville is done adding to the payroll if they so choose. Additionally, that projection also accounts for 24 players, meaning the team will open up additional space when they are forced to cut a player from camp.

Rocco Grimaldi, Nashville Predators Submit Arbitration Figures

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The arbitration figures for the last few cases came out fast and furious today from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Rocco Grimaldi was third, with Friedman reporting that the forward submitted a $1.275MM ask while the Nashville Predators filed for a $700K/$200K two-way contract. Grimaldi is scheduled for a hearing on Sunday. It is important to remember that the two sides can continue to negotiate up to (and for a short period after) the hearing. The arbitrator does also not need to choose one filing or the other, but will almost always decide on a number near the mid-point of the two.

Grimaldi, 26, received the biggest opportunity of his professional career last season with the Predators when the team dressed him for 53 games. The former University of North Dakota standout had previously played just 47 NHL games in his entire career, despite being the 33rd pick in 2011. It’s not like he hasn’t kept up his offense, as Grimaldi has routinely been one of the most dangerous players in the AHL. His height however—standing at a generous 5’6″—still likely plays a part in how teams and scouts evaluate him for the NHL.

Regardless of his stature, Grimaldi became a valuable part of the Predators this season. Though he recorded just 13 points when he was on the ice the shot totals were drastically shifted in Nashville’s favor, and though part of that is quality of competition there is nothing wrong with having your fourth line feed the other team’s their lunch on a regular basis. Grimaldi averaged just ten minutes per game, but was effective in that role.

In the postseason he was given even more responsibility and it paid off. Grimaldi scored three goals in five games for the Predators, which amazingly actually led the entire team. Roman Josi was the only other Predator to score more than one goal in their first round loss to the Dallas Stars.

Grimaldi is coming off a one-year, two-way contract with the Predators that carried a $650K salary in the NHL, meaning he’s going to get a raise no matter what happens through arbitration. The league minimum has increased to $700K this season and it seems likely that he will be able to secure a deal even higher than that. Whether he can keep his job on the NHL roster is another story, but one that he’s ready to fight for.

Central Notes: Makar, Seabrook, Boyle

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While the Colorado Avalanche face off against the Calgary Flames tonight, management may be looking in another direction for a short while as the team’s top prospect, University of Massachussetts defenseman Cale Makar, will finish his college season tonight after the NCAA National Championship concludes.

In that manner, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post writes that the Avalanche intend to sign Makar to a entry-level contract the moment the game ends with the idea of burning his first year this season. However, whether that will make him available for Game 3 of the Avalanche’s playoff series on Monday is another question. Head coach Jared Bednar shared that he too is still in the dark:

“Right now I’m worried about the guys in the room and the game tonight. Yeah, I’m sure it’s a possibility (Makar joins the team Sunday). I don’t know. But that’s a better question for (general manager) Joe (Sakic).”

Another possibility is the team signs him, but opts against playing Makar to preserve the first year of that entry-level contract as the team is already quite deep on defense and there are questions of how quickly Makar can adjust to the team’s system in just one or two days. Although much of that speculation will come after Makar has practiced with the team, maybe as early as Sunday.

  • The Daily Herald’s John Dietz writes that one interesting comment that came from general manager Stan Bowman a few days ago was his belief that veteran defenseman Brent Seabrook needs to make some changes to his off-season conditioning program. Seabrook who saw his playing time dramatically drop towards the end of the season, might want to make changes much like Jonathan Toews did last offseason that sparked his impressive season this year, according to Bowman. Seabrook, however, didn’t seem interested in making major changes this summer. “I’m not going to shake anything up, no,” Seabrook said. “I lost my trainer … so last year was my first summer with (the Blackhawks’) Paul Goodman and I thought it went real good, and (I) felt good coming into this season. Continue doing that.”
  • The Nashville Predators are without forward Brian Boyle in Saturday’s Game 2 against the Dallas Stars due to illness, according to the Tennsessean’s Erik Bacharach. Boyle is day-to-day, but will be missed as he is known for his hits, including a big hit against Stars’ forward Jason Dickinson early in Game 1. The Predators replaced him in the lineup with Rocco Grimaldi.

Nashville Predators Place Kyle Turris On Injured Reserve, Recall Rocco Grimaldi

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After exiting Friday night’s game following a bit hit from Brayden Schenn, Nashville Predators forward Kyle Turris has been placed on injured reserve. The team has recalled Rocco Grimaldi from the AHL in his place. Turris will be forced to miss at least the next three Predators games, though no update has been given on his timeline.

The Predators were dismantled by the St. Louis Blues in Friday’s game, with Juuse Saros allowing five goals on 15 shots before giving up the net. Nashville will be looking to get back into the win column tonight when they welcome in the Anaheim Ducks, but will now have to do it without another one of their top players. The team is already missing Viktor Arvidsson and P.K. Subban, meaning they’ll have to rely on some of their other talents to carry them through the next little while.

Up front, even more responsibility will likely be heaped onto the shoulders of Nick Bonino, who has been a stalwart defensive presence fr the team but has just three goals and nine points on the year. The 30-year old forward hasn’t had quite the impact that was expected when he signed a four-year $16.4MM deal in 2017 but will get an opportunity to show he can step into an offensive role while Turris is out. Colton Sissons has also seen his role increased recently, playing a season-high 20:19 just a few days ago against the Los Angeles Kings.

Grimaldi meanwhile has played six games for the Predators this season but has just one goal to show for it, instead doing most of his damage at the minor league level. The 25-year old forward has been used in spot duty throughout his career, suiting up just 43 times since signing out of the University of North Dakota in 2014. An extremely talented offensive player, Grimaldi is held back—or perhaps overlooked—at times due to his small 5’6″ frame.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Minor Transactions: 11/20/18

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The NHL is awash with news today despite only one game being on the schedule. St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers fans are dealing with the announcements that their coaches have been fired, while folks in Boston are just hoping for a quick recovery for Patrice Bergeron. Meanwhile, many other teams are busy tweaking their rosters in preparation for the rest of the week. We’ll be right here to keep track of all those minor moves:

  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent Gabriel Carlsson back to the minor leagues, after he has sat out for the last few days as the extra defenseman. Carlsson has played in just one game with the Blue Jackets this season, but has six points in 12 contests with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. Rather than let their 2015 first-round pick waste away in the press box, they’ll give him the opportunity to get back into game action.
  • Robbie Russo is on his way back to the AHL for the Arizona Coyotes, who have also involved Dakota Mermis and Mario Kempe in a paper transaction. That means, as Craig Morgan of The Athletic points out, that the latter two are still with the team despite being listed on the AHL roster. Alex Goligoski and Jakob Chychrun both practiced with the team today, meaning more decisions on minor league assignments could be coming down the pipe.
  • With Bergeron sidelined for at least four weeks, the Boston Bruins have recalled Colby Cave from the AHL. Cave is currently leading the Providence Bruins in scoring with 18 points, and could potentially serve as some added offensive punch for a team that will be sorely missing it.
  • Prior to their game tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, the San Jose Sharks have flipped Dylan Gambrell back to the minor leagues in exchange for Lukas Radil. The latter was very close to making the Sharks roster out of camp after signing in the summer, has shown he can compete in the minor leagues. Now 28, Radil has a decade of professional experience in the Czech league and KHL.
  • With Ben Bishop on the shelf for a week, the Dallas Stars have recalled goaltender Landon Bow from the minor leagues to serve as the backup. While he has just an .896 save percentage for the Texas Stars this season, he serves as another example of a big-bodied netminder that is given the chance to develop slowly in the professional setting. The 6’5″ Bow performed admirably at the end of his junior career and was snatched up by the Stars who believed they could turn him into an NHL option, and for at least the next few days he’ll get his chance.
  • Wade Megan has been sent back to the AHL by the Detroit Red Wings, with six games under his belt this month. Megan was held scoreless in those six contests, but they more than doubled his career total to this point. The Red Wings will likely use Megan as an emergency replacement this season whenever they deal with injuries, after signing him to a one-year, two-way contract in the summer.
  • The Nashville Predators gave Rocco Grimaldi a great shot to earn a regular role early this season, but as is always the case for the undersized forward, he is again on his way to the minor leagues. The Predators announced that they have reassigned Grimaldi to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals after he recorded just one point in six games over the last month with the NHL club. A second-round pick out of the University of North Dakota back in 2011, Grimaldi has had a highly productive AHL career with the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche organizations, but hoped to find more opportunity when he signed with Nashville as a free agent this summer.
  • Thatcher Demko’s stay in Vancouver is over, although it never really began. The AHL’s Utica Comets announced that the Canucks had returned Demko to them, after the young goaltender began the season on the injured reserve with a concussion. Demko has still played in just one NHL game in his career, though it makes sense to let him get back to normal in the minors before considering giving him another shot at the big leagues.

Nashville Predators Sign Connor Brickley, Rocco Grimaldi, Jarred Tinordi

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The Nashville Predators watched the rest of the league throw money at many of the free agents available earlier today, but now have a few signings of their own. Connor Brickley, Rocco Grimaldi and Jarred Tinordi have all signed one-year two-way contracts worth $650K at the NHL level, giving the organization several excellent minor league players that have NHL experience.

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