On Sunday, the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks completed a trade ahead of the NHL Trade deadline, with the Panthers getting centre Brandon Pirri and the Blackhawks picking up a third round pick in 2014 and a fifth round pick in 2016.
The 22-year-old Pirri has played in 28 games for the Hawks this season, scoring six goals and five assists for 11 points. He has also spent time with Rockford of the AHL where he has 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 26 games. Pirri was a second round pick (59th overall) of the Blackhawks in the 2009 NHL Draft.
Pirri certainly has potential, but has been unable to crack the Blackhawks lineup on a full-time basis. He is a decent playmaker, with very good vision and strong puck handling. He also has a strong and accurate wrist shot and a quick release. Couple this with good hockey sense and he has been a dominant offensive player at the AHL level over the last three seasons. He has also showed the potential to be a good secondary scorer at the NHL level.
Pirri’s issues to date though are on the defensive side of the puck. He needs to add strength as he can be overpowered in the corners or in front of the net. He needs to add some muscle to be a better two-way player as well. If he can work on this, he will have a chance to take the next step in his career, but if he cannot will remain a high-level AHL player who just can’t crack the big show.
Dale Tallon is betting that a change of scenery and an easier lineup to break into will help Pirri take those steps.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are willing to cash out now for a couple of future picks. With other centres on the way in Chicago such as Teuvo Teravainen, Mark McNeill, Drew Leblanc and Ryan Hartman on the way it was clear that this was a make or break season for Brandon Pirri. He was given plenty of opportunity in Chicago and just wasn’t ready to seize that opportunity this season, now he will get a chance in Sunrise.
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