Zac Rinaldo

34-Year-Old CenterC
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Zac Rinaldo in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets in August of 2021.
Placed on waivers
CColumbus Blue Jackets  Free Agent
September 30, 2021
Rinaldo was placed on waivers by Columbus on Thursday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
ANALYSIS
Rinaldo and teammate Cameron Johnson were the two Blue Jackets to hit waivers Thursday. Rinaldo featured in four games with the Flames last season, averaging just 5:50 of ice time and recording no points.
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Rinaldo mustered five points in 19 appearances with the Flames in 2019-20, as well as 34 PIM and 69 hits. It was an unusually strong run for the 30-year-old enforcer, who has never pocketed more than nine points in a single season. He's split most of his time over the last five years between the NHL and AHL level in multiple organizations. Outside of appeal as a physical player in extremely deep fantasy formats, most managers won't have any need for Rinaldo's skillset on their virtual squads.
Rinaldo hit the open market after 53-game run in Arizona and ultimately found a new home in Nashville; the gritty pivot signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Predators. When a veteran has to settle on a two-way deal, fantasy owners should be wary of drafting said player. After all, it's no guarantee that Rinaldo will even play enough at the highest level to warrant a look. The 28-year-old has a whopping 699 PIM over 328 career games, but his offensive totals aren't even worth mentioning.
The scrappy 25-year-old forward tallied one goal and six points to go along with 109 penalty minutes in 58 games for Philadelphia this past season before being dealt to Boston in June. He’ll add depth and grit to the Bruins’ forward mix, but he's presumably ticketed for a fourth-line/agitator role, which will limit his fantasy utility to PIM-heavy formats.
Rinaldo's ability to aggrevate and disrupt his opponent's game puts him among the league's best pests. The real question is whether he has the ability to control and hone his game to provide a net benefit to his team. In only 67 games last year, he recorded a whopping 153 PIM while only contributing two goals and two assists. To make matters worse, he was a -13, and ended up splitting time with Jay Rosehill. Fantasy GMs who want a one-trick pony would be well advised to grab Rinaldo to shore up the PIM category, but more well-rounded penalty minute contributors can be had in even the last round of any draft.
Rinaldo is a thumper who spent 85 minutes in the penalty box last season, despite missing time with an ankle sprain. In April, the Flyers extended his contract for two years, so it looks like the 23-year-old will be pounding Flyers' opponents once again this season. He doesn't collect a lot of points, so look for him in later rounds if your league values penalty minutes.
Rinaldo was given a 66-game shot at the big leagues last year and, while it only yielded nine points, the gritty enforcer managed 232 PIMs, good enough for second in the league. The Flyers are a young, skilled team, and Rinaldo has plenty of teammates to protect if need be. Expect Rinaldo to frequent the sin bin again this season with the occasional bad penalty to go with the fights. He's definitely worth a look in deep leagues that reward penalty minutes especially for spot starts against Pittsburgh and the Rangers.
Rinaldo appeared in a pair of playoff games last season and has remained in Philadelphia this summer to try and impress the Flyers' front office. He'll get a shot to make the team out of camp, but could be destined to be up and down the professional ranks this season.
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Left off training camp roster
CColumbus Blue Jackets  Free Agent
September 21, 2021
Rinaldo will not be invited to training camp and will start the year in the minors due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Grabs one-year pact
CColumbus Blue Jackets  Free Agent
August 13, 2021
Rinaldo penned a one-year, two-way deal with Columbus on Friday.
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Sent to taxi squad
CCalgary Flames  Free Agent
March 26, 2021
Rinaldo was reassigned to the taxi squad Friday, according to CapFriendly.
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Plays Wednesday
CCalgary Flames  Free Agent
March 24, 2021
Rinaldo was promoted from the active roster and recorded four hits in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Senators.
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Sent to taxi squad
CCalgary Flames  Free Agent
March 23, 2021
Rinaldo was assigned to the taxi squad Tuesday, per CapFriendly.
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