Brandon Pirri

Golden Knights GM George McPhee has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough -- hence the overnight success from his expansion draft assembly -- and Pirri looks to be another smart acquisition for the big boss. Best known for his scoring prowess, Pirri lit the lamp 12 times through 31 NHL games in 2018-19, and his shooting percentage (14.6) was second only to Cody Eakin's gaudy conversion rate (18.3) among Vegas skaters. The steady top-level production helped Pirri land a two-year, $1.55 million extension in July, with the third-line center garnering a one-way deal this time around. Should Pirri falter in training camp or early on in 2019-20, he could still be exposed to waivers, but for now, the journeyman gets the benefit of the doubt.

After failing to earn a contract with the Panthers in October, Pirri agreed to a one-year deal for the 2017-18 season with the Golden Knights. The former Blackhawk potted three goals in two appearances for Vegas and was a key performer for the AHL Wolves. Considering he's just four years removed from a 22-goal season in Florida, Pirri has the talent to put up some decent numbers if he can earn himself a bottom-six role with the Golden Knights.

Pirri took the fantasy world by storm with the Panthers three years ago, notching 22 goals in just 49 games. He cloned his point total (24) with Florida the following season, but he didn't quite fit as well with the Ducks or Rangers thereafter. Now, the 26-year-old sniper finds himself with the Panthers again -- this time on a PTO. Still, he's no lock to get another contract, let alone climb into the top-six group, which severely limits his fantasy value ahead of the 2017-17 season.

A veteran of six NHL seasons, Pirri turned heads in 2014-15, going off for 22 goals (but only two assists) with the Panthers. Last year in Florida, he displayed more well-rounded production with 11 goals and 13 assists before being acquired at the trade deadline by the Ducks, where injuries limited him to just nine games. Now an unrestricted free agent, he’ll definitely find a home by the time puck drops in October given his career production of 0.48 points per game and recent affinity for lighting the lamp, but where he might land is anyone’s guess. It’ll be interesting to see whose jersey he dons in 2016-17, as his potential for growth and overall fantasy value largely depends on the talent surrounding him and what type of line assignment he carves out for himself.

Pirri had one of the most fascinating stat lines of any player during the past season, tallying 22 goals and only two assists in 49 games, with one of the helpers coming after Nov. 26. The 24-year-old found twine on a seemingly unsustainable 15.4 percent of his shot attempts; however, for his career, he’s scored on 15.2 percent of his shots, meaning that he may not regress from last season's strong goal-scoring numbers. While Pirri might not be the biggest player on the ice, his knack for putting the puck in the net makes him a valuable part of the Panthers’ top-six. Furthermore, despite only playing in 49 games last season, Pirri's seven power-play goals tied for the team lead, a distinction he very well could hold again in 2015-16 if he enjoys better health. Expect Pirri to close the gap between this goals and assists this season, but it's his achievement in the former category that will make him an attractive fantasy target later in drafts.

Pirri came over from Chicago at the trade deadline and put up 14 points in 21 games with the Panthers, bringing his season totals between both teams to 25 points in 49 games, including six points on the power play. He has a ton of skill and led the AHL in scoring in 2012-13, but a breakout will depend on how the Panthers set their lines. If Pirri sees an uptick in ice time and plays on one of their skilled top-two lines (as well as on the power play), he could see a big boost in production. Regardless, he is a player to watch on the young Panthers club in the coming years.

Pirri led the AHL last season with 75 points in 76 games, but the biggest improvement in his game came in his own zone. And now that the two sides of his game have started to align, Pirri is ready to take a run on the job of second-line center with the Hawks for 2013-14. That's a big leap for a 22-year-old with just seven NHL games under his belt, but it would allow the Hawks to keep Patrick Sharp on his natural wing. File Pirri's name away -- even if he struggles a little bit, he will have elite linemates like Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. And that means points will come from just stepping on the ice.

Pirri will be looking to bring his scoring touch to the Blackhawks this season. He made a good showing for himself last season as he led Rockford of the AHL in scoring with 23 goals and 33 assists in 66 games. He saw some time with the Blackhawks last season (two assists in five games) and should see more time this season. Chicago did not add a lot of free agents in the offseason so it might open a spoton the fourth line for Pirri. And that would mean a 25-point season for this potential second-liner. Remember him name.

Pirri was sent down by the Blackhawks to Rockford of the AHL in October. Pirri had a strong preseason camp and could get a taste or two of the big club depending on injuries.

Before he even set foot on pro ice, Pirri slapped some cursive on a three-year contract with the Blackhawks in August of 2010. He is one of the team's top forward prospects who could make an impact in the very near future. So much attention was drawn to offseason cap-saving subtractions like forwards Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopol, and understandably so because they were monumental in bringing Lord Stanley back to the Windy City. However, Pirri could prove to be the silver lining as he is already being considered for a role with the parent club.