The Predators finally made some moves on July 1st, the first day for free agent signings in the NHL.
The team announced today it has signed centers Connor Brickley and Rocco Grimaldi to one-year, two-way contracts. Both contracts are worth $650K.
Soon after this announcement came yet another signing: the Preds added defenseman Jarred Tinordi to the mix, also on a two-way contract, also worth $650K.
Brickley has 17 points in 67 games for the Florida Panthers, but has spent most of his professional career in the AHL since being drafted in 2010. Grimaldi has 10 points in 37 NHL games (Colorado and Florida), and he also has spent most of his career in the AHL.
Tinordi was a first round draft pick for Montreal in 2010 and has since appeared in 53 NHL games. He’s played 290 games at the minor league level, including 62 games last year for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
All signs point to these being moves to shore up Milwaukee’s forward and blueline depth, which were both weak points last year. I’d be shocked if we saw much action from these guys at the NHL level next year, considering the players they would have to leapfrog in order to get there.