Mile High Sticking
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Colorado Avalanche: August Free Agents Could Bolster Offense

By Daniel Henderson

Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche right winger Jack Skille (8) celebrates their win with Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) at the end of the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche right winger Jack Skille (8) celebrates their win with Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) at the end of the third period at Rexall Place. Colorado Avalanche won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers center Brandon Pirri (73) skates in the third period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers center Brandon Pirri (73) skates in the third period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Pirri:

Position: Centre     2015-16 Team(s): Florida Panthers/Anaheim Ducks  Goals: 11/3

Age: 25                     Games Played: 52/9                                                             Assists: 13/2

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Its pretty rare for an NHL player who has had a 20 goal season to hit unrestricted free agency at the age of 25, which begs the question: why hasn’t a team signed him? That along with Florida trading him to Anaheim for the low price of a 6th round pick seems to indicate that he’s valued pretty poorly around the league.

This probably is because he somehow only had 2 assists during his 22 goal campaign in 2014-15. It’s worth asking whether or not he was just supremely unlucky that year, or if he just isn’t as good as his goal total would suggest.

Just like Downie the bigger issues I have with Pirri is that his possession stats are pedestrian at best. He’s almost the opposite of Downie in that his shot suppression is poor whereas his shot generation is respectable.

Verdict: 1 year offer

I wouldn’t mind at all if the Avs offered him a 1 year deal for ~1 million. His history of goal scoring alone makes it a smart investment. Playing with a talented guy like Duchene could potentially even revive his career.

Next: Jiri Hudler

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