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Longtime Nashville Predator Walks Away From the NHL To Sign With Overseas Powerhouse

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 11:26 AM ET

Former Nashville Predators forward Rocco Grimaldi, who played over 150 games with the team, is going overseas and signing in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg.

The NHL career of former Nashville Predators forward Rocco Grimaldi appears to have ended, as he's going overseas to Russia.

Grimaldi has signed a contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, who made the announcement on their X account.

Rocco Grimaldi has joined SKA!
The American forward has signed a two-year contract with our club.

He was indeed the top scorer of the 2023 World Championship

Welcome to Saint Petersburg!

#hcSKA

Grimaldi was taken with the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers after playing AAA Hockey for Detroit Little Caesars.

He later played for the University of North Dakota and the Panthers' AHL affiliate San Antonio Rampage before making his NHL debut in 2014-15.

In 2016, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for goaltender Reto Berra, though he played sparingly with the team.

He eventually played over 150 games with the Predators, before playing a handful of years in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, Rockford Ice Hogs, Chicago Wolves and Cleveland Monsters.

In 203 career NHL games, Grimaldi has 67 points (30G, 37A).

The Predators missed the playoffs in embarrassing fashion this year

The Predators were viewed by many as Stanley Cup contenders thanks to last summer's additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei.

But Nashville went winless in their opening 5 games of the year, and never recovered. They missed the playoffs and fell far short of expectations that they came into the year with.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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