Florida seeks scoring, signs Pirri for professional tryout

In a quest to fill their most glaring need for scorers, the Florida Panthers have signed Brandon Pirri to a professional tryout.

Pirri showed the knack for putting the puck in the net during two previous seasons with the Panthers, producing 62 points in 122 games from 2014-16. He had a career-high 22 goals in 49 games in 2014-15.

Although capable of producing goals in bunches, deficiencies in other aspects of his game led to Pirri falling out of favor with former coach Gerard Gallant, and he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a sixthround draft choice, a virtual giveaway in February 2016.

Now, with the Panthers in need of offensive talent after the departure of four top-six forwards from last season, including 30-goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault, Pirri could provide a no-cost solution. He will get the opportunity to impress new coach Bob Boughner in training camp to win a spot.

Pirri, 26, recorded 18 points (8-10-18) in 60 games this past season with the New York Rangers. He had a minus-8 rating while averaging 12:17 a game, and became a free agent after the Rangers didn’t offer him a contract.

There were indications Pirri might join former Rangers teammate Kevin Klein in signing to play in Switzerland. Instead he’ll get another chance to stick in the NHL with the Panthers.

Pirri has a long history with Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, who was in the same role with the Chicago Blackhawks when they selected him in the second round in 2009. Tallon then acquired him from Chicago in 2014 for a fifthround pick.

The Toronto native was particularly adept in shootouts. But he slumped overall in an injury-plagued 2015-16 (11 goals, 24 points in 52 games for the Panthers) and became expendable when veteran forwards Jiri Hudler and Teddy Purcell were acquired for that season’s push for a playoff spot.

Pirri has played in 226 NHL games with Rangers (2016-17), Ducks (2016), Panthers (2014-16) and Blackhawks (2010-14), recording 98 points (57-41-98).