The Italian

Rocco Grimaldi was drafted four years ago by GM Dale Tallon. No one ever doubted the talent Rocco had, the problem was always going to be whether or not Grimaldi could play against men. Rocco is generously listed at 5’6” and 160lbs. A year after getting drafted Grimaldi missed most of his collegiate season with a knee injury that required surgery. However the following two seasons, Grimaldi put up close to a point per game in college in a defensive conference. Last year Grimaldi transitioned to the AHL where he was top ten in rookie scoring. Grimaldi would have been in the top five had it not been for spending about a month and seven games with the Panthers in the NHL at the start of the season. The Panthers bought out Brad Boyes this summer creating an opening for a shoot first right-winger. The job is Grimaldi’s to lose coming into training camp. Grimaldi will have to prove that he has what it takes to hold down a spot in the NHL this fall. Hopefully the little Italian doesn’t get tired trying to hold down his spot in the NHL as he is still eligible to be sent to the AHL without clearing waivers.