Ex-Rangers get Swiss reunion

Brandon Pirri’s status as a Ranger went from being an important fourth-line and power-play piece of the team’s potent, diversified attack over the season’s first five weeks to a spot on the taxi squad during the playoffs.

Now, after failing to receive a qualifying offer from the Blueshirts and credible interest around the NHL as a free agent, the 26-year-old forward is going to Switzerland for 2017-18 and join one-time New York teammate Kevin Klein with the ZSC Lions.

It is conceivable that Pirri — whose shoot-first mentality has produced 57 goals in 226 career games with the Blackhawks, Panthers, Ducks and Rangers — could sign with an NHL club at the conclusion of his year in Europe. The Ontario native also would have to be considered a candidate to play for Team Canada in the 2018 Olympics.

Signed as a free agent last summer to a one-year deal worth $1.1 million, Pirri provided a distinct early-season boost to the offense as the Blueshirts bolted to a 13-4 start through Nov. 15 while scoring 72 goals (4.2 per game) that included 57 at even strength, 13 on the power play and two while shorthanded.

Deficient away from the puck, in his own end and in his one-on-one compete level, Pirri faded quickly.

He was on the ice for only 13 even-strength goals and 10 power-play goals over his final 43 games in going minus-14 and completed the season with 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 60 games. Pirri was scratched 20 times in a 29game span starting in early February until he dressed for the final three matches.