The Rangers are close to signing free-agent forward Brandon Pirri to a one-year contract, a source said Thursday. Canada’s Sportsnet also reported that a deal appeared to be near. An announcement could come Friday.
Pirri, 25, who was selected by the Blackhawks in the second-round of the 2009 NHL draft, can put the puck in the net. The Toronto native has 49 goals in 166 games over parts of seven seasons, mostly for the Blackhawks and Panthers. In 2014-15 with Florida, he had 22 goals but just two assists, sometimes referred to as “Cy Young-worthy” stats (22-2).
With Anaheim late last season, Pirri scored three goals and two assists in nine games, but did not receive a qualifying offer from the Ducks and became available to sign anywhere this summer.