2016 Top 25 Avalanche under 25: #16 Rocco Grimaldi

Today BSN’s 2016 top 25 Colorado Avalanche under 25 series continues with number 16 on our list, the newly acquired Rocco Grimaldi. Grimaldi, who was acquired in exchange for goaltender Reto Berra, is making his first appearance on our list at the age of 23.

Of the seven ballots submitted, Grimaldi averaged a ranking of 16.4, with a high rank of 14th and low of 24th. After an impressive NCAA career, Grimaldi made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers, playing 7 games during the 2014-2015 season and another 20 games last season, all while having considerable scoring success at the AHL level. The diminutive center scored 14 goals and 42 points in 64 games with the Rampage as a member of the Panthers organization and figures to improve on those numbers if he returns to San Antonio as a member of the Avalanche.

Who is Rocco Grimaldi?

A product of the USHL, Rocco Grimaldi was drafted 33rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The center showed exceptional offensive talent as a prospect, but his diminutive, 5’6″ frame left serious questions about whether he could ever succeed as a professional hockey player. Grimaldi went on to play parts of three seasons for the always dominant University of North Dakota, tallying 31 goals and 77 points in 86 career NCAA games.

Grimaldi left college for professional hockey in 2014, signing his Entry Level Contract with the Panthers and making his pro debut with the Panthers’ then affiliate San Antonio Rampage. Grimaldi earned a brief 7 game call up in his rookie season before seeing a more extended 20 game chance with the Panthers last season.

Grimaldi has certainly proven that he has the talent and offensive gifts to play NHL hockey, but at just 5’6″ size will always be an obstacle for the young center. With just 6 points in 27 NHL games, the door is by no means closed on an NHL future for Grimaldi, but in order to earn a regular spot he’ll need to either find a way to be more productive offensively or find other ways to contribute as a depth player despite his size.

What is the future for Rocco Grimaldi?

Under Patrick Roy it would have been easy to write off Rocco Grimaldi as part of the Avalanche’s AHL rebuild in San Antonio, however, a new coach means a level playing field, new competition for spots, and maybe, a reduced bias against small players. Grimaldi should compete with the likes of JT Compher, Andreas Martinsen, and Ben Smith for a spot on the Avs’ 4th line or as the team’s healthy scratch.

Should Grimaldi make the NHL roster, it would demonstrate a significant departure from the team’s composition under Roy. It’s unlikely that the 5’6″ Grimaldi would be part of a heavy checking line like Patrick Roy employed at the bottom of the Avs’ lineup and so it’s possible that Grimaldi, combined with players like Compher, Mitchell, and Smith could signal a philosophical shift towards a highly skilled 4th line, further complicating Cody McLeod’s role within the organization moving forward.

If Grimaldi does not make the NHL roster out of training camp, he’ll likely remain high on the team’s call up list. Grimaldi has proven he can be a significant offensive contributor at the AHL level, which will be a major boon for a Rampage squad that had to replace much of it’s scoring personnel this summer and is likely to lose its top scorer, Mikko Rantanen, to NHL graduation this fall.

Grimaldi is in the final year of his entry level contract and will become a restricted free agent this summer.