Professional tryout season is alive and well. Brandon Pirri is the latest player to sign a PTO, inking one with the Florida Panthers today. The forward will return to the team with which he found the most NHL success, scoring 22 goals in the 2014-15 season. Pirri will join Nikolai Belov as a Panthers PTO, fighting for the last few spots on the roster.
One of the most interesting things about that 22-goal season from Pirri, is that it came with just two assists. Pirri had never been known as a pure sniper before, posting huge assist totals in the AHL as he dominated competition with his offensive skill. Nearly a point-per-game player in the minor leagues, that level of offense has escaped him since he left Florida, spending time with Anaheim and last year with the New York Rangers. Pirri scored just 18 points in 60 games despite being given a chance on the team’s powerplay. He just didn’t seem to fit in New York, and couldn’t find a job on the open market this summer.
Pirri is just 26, and the Florida Panthers desperately need offensive weapons to fill out their lineup. They have several roster spots up for grabs, but the veteran will have to fight off youngsters like Owen Tippett and Henrik Haapala in order to make the squad.
Give him the CY Young