THREE THINGS: A New Player, Ups & Downs and the Two-Time Foursome

Brandon Pirri is back with the organization that drafted him back in 2009 and, although unexpected, it's the perfect fit for the 29-year-old forward both on and off the ice.
"It wasn't expected, but I was thrilled to get that phone call," he told reporters on Tuesday. "I spend my summers here, we have a home here and I know for me and my wife, we were absolutely thrilled … this situation couldn't be better for us."

RELATED LINKS
RELEASE: Blackhawks Re-Acquire Pirri
WATCH: Pirri on Return to Chicago
Acquired in a trade Monday from the Vegas Golden Knights
in exchange for forward Dylan Sikura, the former Blackhawk is under contract through the 2020-21 season with a salary cap hit of $775,000.
Here are three things you need to know as you get re-acquainted with Pirri:

A NEW PLAYER

A lot has changed in Pirri's life since he was traded to the Florida Panthers on March 2, 2014.
"Last time around I was a kid, this time I have two kids," the soon-to-be father of two said, with his wife expecting the couple's second child in December. "A lot's changed in my game (too). I've figured out how to be a good pro. I think I was trying to figure it out back then. Now, I've kind of been through it through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of teams, a lot of good veterans and teammates along the way … I really think that I've figured out what kind of player I am and how I can help contribute in the NHL. I'm excited to get going and get another shot at this."
With 240 more NHL games under his belt since he last donned a Blackhawks sweater and having crossed the country twice with stints in Florida, Anaheim, New York and Vegas, Pirri says he's more prepared to make an impact this time around than he was in the 35 games he played over four seasons in Chicago as an up-and-coming prospect.
"I've kind of figured out with my size and the way I play, I've become a shoot-first player," Pirri continued. "My first go-round in the organization I was kind of a playmaker, hold the puck, puck possession, and then I think over time I just became a shoot-first mentality (player), support the puck well, forecheck, but at the same time give the puck to the guys that are really patient with it."

UPS AND DOWNS

The last few seasons have been a roller coaster for Pirri, but it all started and ended in Chicago.
Signed as a free agent by Vegas on Oct. 4, 2017 with the intention of playing for the AHL's Chicago Wolves, he spent nearly the entire 2017-18 season in Chicago as nearly a point-per-game player in the AHL before a two-game call-up at the end of the season, scoring three goals in his brief NHL stint. He returned to the Wolves for the first half of 2018-19, scoring 42 points in 29 games before earning a second-half call-up to Vegas for 31 games and 18 points.
Last year was the opposite, though. The Golden Knights signed Pirri to a new two-year NHL contract in the summer and then waived him 16 games into the season before assigning him to the Wolves for the remainder of the year when he cleared. Again, the forward put up nearly a point per night with 35 in 38 games to close out his campaign in the AHL.
"Last year, for whatever reason I just went cold and I've never been a player to have the longest leash, so it was just unfortunate," he said. "They had some other guys that were playing well and they just went another direction."
He knows that the road isn't any easier back in Chicago, but regardless of what his future holds, it'll be a better fit for he and his growing family.
"I'm working to play on the Blackhawks. If I don't, it's still a great situation -- I loved my time in Rockford," said Pirri, still the IceHogs' all-time leader in points with 200 over 238 games early in his career. "But I'm treating this as preparing myself to play with the Blackhawks and provide them with some depth."
"There's the guys that you know are going to produce every year, but I think for me (the goal is) to provide some depth on whatever line that is," he added of his hopeful role in Chicago. "In a salary cap, you need guys at a lower number that are going to produce and you see that with other teams too. Come playoff time, it's guys that not necessarily are making the most money, but some guys that are on smaller contracts that are still contributing and helping out."

THE TWO-TIME FOURSOME

It was perhaps written in the stars that Pirri would return to Chicago when he took to the golf course with Jeremy Morin, Adam Clendenning and Terry Broadhurst earlier this week -- all former Blackhawks who returned for second stints in the system. It was mid-round that he found out he, too, would be heading back to the Blackhawks.
"All three of those guys have done two stints with the Hawks organization," Pirri said, "so it was kind of fitting that I was with those guys when I got the call."