Avalanche season grades: Rocco Grimaldi

Rocco Grimaldi only played six games for the Avalanche in 2017-18. But it’s our policy here that anybody who played even one game with the Avs in 2017-18 gets a season grade. But, yeah, the discussion of Rocco’s season is going to be shorter than, say, a Nathan MacKinnon or Erik Johnson.

So, let’s assess the Anaheim, Calif., native’s small sample size of an NHL season:

OVERVIEW

Rocco Grimaldi was called up to the Avs on Oct. 28 from San Antonio. He would play that night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks and five other games. Otherwise, he spent his time with the Rampage. In those six games, Grimaldi had a goal and two assists. Not bad on paper.

In the six games, the most he played was 13:49 in a Nov. 5 loss to the Islanders (the night of the Matt Duchene trade). He put seven shots on goal in the six games. He was even on the plus-minus ledger. His puck-possession numbers, as you can see above, were not good.

BIGGEST MOMENT

Without question, it’s that Oct. 28 game against the Blackhawks. It came a day after the Avs lost in Vegas, 7-0 to the Golden Knights.

Grimaldi would score a goal and assist on another in a blowout victory over Chicago. It was just the kind of instant offense the Avs needed, and that Grimaldi can sometimes provide. He did that despite playing just 8:35 in the game, 14 shifts overall.

WHAT’S NEXT

This past season was probably the end of the road for Grimaldi with the Avs. That could be wrong, but despite being only 25, Grimaldi can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. It’s been tough for him to stick with an NHL team, so it might make more sense to play overseas, in a European league. He just doesn’t seem to fit into the Avs’ plans.

He had a pretty decent contract for a guy on a two-way deal. His base salary when he played for the Avs was $750,000. But even in the minors, he was paid $175,000.

FINAL GRADE

C-

It’s tough to give anyone a real grade who played only six games. So, take this one with a grain of salt. On the other hand, the hard truth is this: Grimaldi has not done enough to earn more playing time than this on the big stage.

He’s still young and he has real skill with a puck. He’s just 5-6, 172 pounds, so he’s always going to have that “he’s too small” knock against him. I’m not sure I know if that’s been his problem not being able to stick as a regular NHLer or not.

He’s still real young, so he’ll be paid to play hockey somewhere this coming season I think. I just don’t think it’ll be with the Avs.