Brandon Pirri was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks by the Vegas Golden Knights for Dylan Sikura on Monday.
"It wasn't expected, but I was thrilled to get that phone call," Pirri said Tuesday. "Spend my summer [in Chicago], we have a home here. I know for me and my wife, we were absolutely thrilled, especially with a baby on the way (in December). This situation couldn't be better for us."
Pirri, a 29-year-old forward, had two assists in 16 games with the Golden Knights this season and did not play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He can become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
"I think last year, for whatever reason, I just went cold," Pirri said. "I've never been a player to have the longest leash, so it was just unfortunate. [The Golden Knights] had some other guys who played well and they went in another direction. But I enjoyed my time there, that organization, there's some really good people. But right now I'm just really excited to be here with the Blackhawks again and we'll see what happens."
Selected by Chicago in the second round (No. 59) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Pirri played his first four NHL seasons with the Blackhawks. He has scored 121 points (72 goals, 49 assists) in 275 regular-season games with the Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers and Blackhawks. He has no points in one playoff game.
"I think last time around [with the Blackhawks] I was a kid, this time I have two kids (about to have second child)," Pirri said. "A lot has changed in my game. I figured out how to be a good pro. I think I was trying to figure it out back then and now I've been through it through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of teams, a lot of good veteran teammates along the way. I got to pick and choose the type of person and player I want to be. I really think that I figured out what kind of player I am and how I can help contribute in the NHL. I'm excited to get going and kind of get another shot at this and hopefully make it work."
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday that he's looking forward to finding out if Pirri can contribute next season.
"When we moved Pirri years ago, our team was in a different stage. Brandon was also just starting out, he was a center back then. He's changed a lot as a player," Bowman said. "He's certainly has shown he can score at the NHL level, he's played in a few hundred games in the League. He gives an option, he has an elite shot, he can shoot the puck better than most. He's transitioned to be a winger and he's shown more maturity. I think he understands how to contribute. He's hungry to prove he can be an NHL player but he also has a great attitude. He's a prolific scorer at the AHL level, and we want to see what he can do. We'll give him an opportunity to come into training camp and show if he can be an NHL player for us."
Sikura, a 25-year-old forward, scored three points (one goal, two assists) in nine games with the Blackhawks this season and did not play in the postseason, when Chicago lost in five games to Vegas in the Western Conference First Round after it defeated the Edmonton Oilers in four games during the best-of-5 Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
"I got an understanding of where Vegas is at as a team and where they can go," Sikura told the Golden Knights website. "I had the Golden Knights as my pick to win the Stanley Cup after that so hopefully that will come true in the next couple of years."
Selected by Chicago in the sixth round (No. 178) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Sikura has scored 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 47 regular-season games. He has not played in the playoffs.
"I was lucky enough to get down to Vegas and play there one time," said Sikura, who can become a restricted free agent at the end of next season. "You could ask anyone around the League and they'd tell you that building is amazing. ... It's an awesome place and an awesome environment. The success they've had since coming into the League as a new team is amazing. I'm excited to join the team and hopefully add to that success."
