Rocco Grimaldi
Ah, here we go again. Anytime Grimaldi’s name is brought up, all we can think about is his talent that was wasted this past season, and wonder how much longer he will be on the Nashville Predators.
The good news for him is that he may not find himself on the bench much longer, and it’s not just because his contract is an offseason away from expiring. It’s mainly because there doesn’t seem to be much room for Grimaldi on the Predators’ roster, and they may find it most worthwhile to try and get other assets out of him.
As much as I love everything Grimaldi has done, he will not be a consistent top-six forward, and he will most certainly not find a place on the “Herd Line”.
With the youth emerging, the line containing Luke Kunin and Mikael Granlund becoming the third line over time, is the only place I can see Grimaldi fitting. With how much chemistry they had with Calle Jarnkrok, I would much rather continue rolling with that trio.
There just doesn’t seem to be a place for Grimaldi on this team anymore, and Poile will find a way to trade him, most likely this summer. There is also a chance he could be used in the expansion draft as someone who could entice the Seattle Kraken to select one of Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen.