A second-round pick (No. 59) of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2009 NHL Draft, Pirri has 80 points (49 goals, 31 assists) in 166 NHL games with the Blackhawks, Panthers and Ducks.
"Something I'm trying to focus on this year is just being consistent," Pirri told BlueshirtsUnited.com on Monday. "You can't always control your points and goals, but bringing energy every shift is important. I'm a shoot-first player, but it's important to be defensively reliable so that the coach can trust me. That helps minutes and the more minutes gives you more chances with the puck. When you're getting more touches, everything is just smoother and the offensive game flows from there."
He scored an NHL career-high 22 goals in 49 games with the Panthers in 2014-15.
"When I did get that opportunity to get back in the lineup things were going really good and it seemed like everything was working out, and I think at the same time it was because I put in that effort while I was injured," Pirri said of that season. "It was fun. That's the player I know I can be. It's just a matter of staying healthy and when I do get that opportunity to make the most of it."
