Rocco Grimaldi

Grimaldi enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2019-20 with 31 points in 66 contests, more than doubling his previous high of 13 points from the year before. The second-round pick from 2011 still shouldn't be expected to fill anything more than a bottom-six role, but Grimaldi seems to have found his scoring touch behind a reasonable 8.2 shooting percentage. Fantasy managers will be disappointed that he doesn't add much in terms of hits or PIM, but the scoring alone shold put him in line for roughly 25 points in 2020-21 -- that's worthy of a depth role on virtual squads.

During his first season with the Predators in 2018-19, Grimaldi notched five goals and 13 points while posting a minus-2 rating in 53 games. The 26-year-old only averaged 10 minutes of ice time per contest last year, and should play more this winter, but he's still expected to fill a fourth-line role, capping his fantasy upside. Grimaldi doesn't contribute enough in the non-scoring categories to be a viable fantasy option, so he can safely be ignored in all formats this campaign.

Despite a solid showing with both AHL San Antonio -- 31 points in 49 games -- and three points in his six games with the Avalanche last season, the 5-foot-6 pivot parted ways with the Avalanche this offseason and heads to the Music City to serve in a similar role for the Predators. Grimaldi's biggest struggles come on the defensive end of the ice, where he's totaled a combined minus-35 rating over the last two seasons in the AHL. It's highly unlikely Grimaldi will find much ice time with the Predators in 2018-19, but perhaps a change of scenery and a new system will do him some good.

Checking in at 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds, Grimaldi is a prototypical pint-sized pocket rocket, using his exceptional speed to overcome his measurables. In so doing, Grimaldi finished his college career at the University of North Dakota with 17 goals and 39 points in 42 games as a junior, before electing to jump to the pros. With a glut of centers on the Panthers’ roster at present and for the foreseeable future, a move to right wing could be Grimaldi’s easiest path to the NHL. The 21-year-old is expected to open the campaign at AHL San Antonio, but if the scoring acumen he demonstrated during his college career quickly carries over the minors, it won’t be long before he’s a fixture in South Florida.

Grimaldi is just 20 years old, and will probably remain at the University of North Dakota for his Junior season. He had a big year in 2012-13, in which he racked up 13 goals and 23 assists in 40 games for the Fighting Sioux. He certainly appears to have a bright future ahead of him, but the Panthers will have to wait for him to finish his college career before giving him a chance to make an impact as a professional.