RW Rocco Grimaldi (2011, 33rd overall, Florida)

[LTIR Trickery]

Yeah the one guy that small who's actually able to play at a high level.

I wouldn't draft somebody 5'6.

With that skillset I ****ing would.

 

[Psycho Papa Joe]

My prediction - He becomes a more successfull NHLer than at least half of the guys picked in the first round.

 

[Stealth JD]

Just because he wasn't picked in the 1st round, doesn't mean many GM's didn't have him ranked as first round talent. Heck, theoretically, he could have been the consensus #5 pick on every GM's list, and still slid to the second round. Seems kind of silly to have a "I told you so" thread, when you have no idea what NHL GM's really think of the kid.

 

[boredmale]

I wonder what pick he will be taken. As an Islanders fan I wouldn't mind them giving him a shot at #34. I can see Detroit taking a chance at 35, although my guess is Florida will take him at 33

 

[MJB Devils23*]

A bunch of teams are going to regret passing on him I think.

Here's to hoping he drops to #75.

That would be awesome.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Grimaldi is going to be a very good player in the NHL

 

[S E P H]

Lol just wait until he falls to Red Wings.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Its actually pathetic he didnt get taken. Kid has the most talent of any player in the draft but because of his size he falls the rd 2.

Whoever gets him gets the steal of the draft

I keep hearing how incredibly talented he is, but where are the numbers. Why isn't he tearing up the USHL? he had good numbers at the U18, but they weren't wow those are incredible numbers

I think he has a chance to some day be a decent NHL player, but probably a 3rd line energy guy who maybe chips in 35-40 points

Would be funny to see him go to the Bruins in the second round. I really want to see him get assigned Brad Marchand as a big brother at camp. Rocco's head would explode quickly

 

[DangerMan]

the only way Grimaldi was going into the first round was if Toronto took him. I think a team looking to take a gamble on high end skill will take him, which makes the lower end teams prime targets. I think he gets picked before pick 40.

 

[13 others]

Teams will regret this.

They won't.. but ok. People can bring up one good player who is under 5'9. I guess that means everyone can be a St. Louis

 

[hototogisu]

What a shocker! Who was that clown who had him in a top 10 list???? This kid is only 5'6.

It should have been obvious to anyone who knows anything about hockey that he would NOT be taken in the 1st round. No chance whatsoever. Anyone who felt otherwise, you finally have your proof. Dont like doing "I told you so" posts but this needed to be stated here.

When he turns into a star, are you still going to be as adamant about tooting your own horn?

Some team is getting a great pick in the second round with Grimaldi still on the board. Some of the names that went before him in the first just left me shaking my head.

 

[R S]

They won't.. but ok. People can bring up one good player who is under 5'9. I guess that means everyone can be a St. Louis

I never said anything about St. Louis. I simply said that some teams will regret not taking him when they had a chance in the late first round. I stand by that. You'll see.

 

[Brewsky]

My younger sister's taller than him, and she's 14.

He's the next Nathan Gerbe.

 

[Joey Moss]

On a completely non religious note...I hope the Blues grab him at 32

That's where I think he'll go.

Edmonton's likely picking one of Jenner or Mayfield. Maybe, just maybe Saad is in consideration but I don't see how they could take him over Mayfield or Jenner.

 

[Fish on The Sand]

0 Scouting services had him #1.

Oilers would never have taken him #1. They took the BPA and the #1 ranked by everyone. Two other GM's passed on him as well for a reason.

probably the same reason their teams are perennial bottom feeders and the Devils are perennial contenders.

 

[Iplayhockehh]

They won't.. but ok. People can bring up one good player who is under 5'9. I guess that means everyone can be a St. Louis

Ahem* Martin st.louis, mike cammaleri, pat kane, brian gionta, nathan gerbe(on pace for 23 goals in his sophmore season) theo fleury, mats naslund, tyler ennis, briere, derek roy come to the top of my mind.

 

[Iplayhockehh]

Oh and I left steve sullivan off my list. My bad.

 

[tony d]

I think he'll go early in the 2nd round today.

 

[RECsGuy*]

If Grimaldi...

...was average height (5'10" - 6'), how high would he have been taken?

 

[jigsaw99]

Top 5. Even prehaps 1st overall.

 

[leafsfuture]

Assuming his skillset stays exactly the same, hed be in the running for 1st overall. His skillset is just great. He can shoot, pass, skate, fight for pucks in corners.

That being said, in reality, if hes a bit taller, his skillset likely isnt as good

 

[Timbo Slice]

Top 3.

 

[R S]

Top 5 easy, maybe top 3.

 

[El Duderino]

Top 5 easy, maybe top 3.

Top 3? Which of Huberdeau, RNH or Landeskog do you see him displacing?

 

[Beesfan]

If he were 5'10 and he played in the OHL last year, he would be in contention for first overall, and would be ahead of Zibanejad and Strome for sure.

5'10 with his skillset would probably have gotten him 120ish points in the OHL.