Pirri has good shot to make Hawks’ roster
Rookie center Brandon Pirri has more than a few things going for him in his quest to make the Blackhawks opening-night roster.
ŸHe has 4 goals and an assist in three preseason games.
ŸInjuries to Ben Smith (concussion) and Viktor Stalberg (knee).
ŸPatrick Sharp’s questionable status for the first games because of the emergency appendectomy he suffered a few weeks ago.
ŸMarcus Kruger’s poor training camp.
ŸDaniel Carcillo’s two-game suspension to start the regular season.
Pirri could be the Hawks’ fourth-line center when they start the season Friday at Dallas, assuming Patrick Kane stays at center with Jonathan Toews and Dave Bolland.
While the skilled Pirri might not fit the mold of your classic fourth-line center, it could be his job to lose the way things are shaking out going into Sunday’s final preseason game at Washington.
“I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to make this roster. Fourth line, backup goalie, it doesn’t matter.” Pirri said. “I’m just trying to earn a spot.”
Pirri centered the fourth line for Jamal Mayers and Carcillo in Friday’s 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh, and there were some rough spots despite the fact he scored both goals.
The line was a combined minus-3 with Pirri taking 2 minor penalties and losing 6 of 10 faceoffs.
“We didn’t mind (Pirri’s) game,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think offensively he had some real nice looks all alone, as well as his production there.
“He’s got some skill, he’s been a producer his whole life, he sees plays. I think he’s patient in his game and has nice finish around the net. It’s been a nice camp for him.”
Pirri knows what his role would be as a fourth-line center.
“Playing with guys like Mayers and Carcillo, we’re trying to bring energy,” Pirri said. “But, you know, we didn’t get the 2 points (Friday) and we made some mistakes that we’ve got to learn from come next game.”
Pirri was a second-round draft pick in 2009 who had a good first pro season at Rockford last year with 43 points in 70 games.
“I think I’ve done well (during training camp), but there’s always room for improvement,” Pirri said. “I’m just trying to take it day by day and trying to leave everything out there.
“I’ve had ups and downs. I took 2 bad penalties that came back to cost us, and that’s something I’m going to learn from. But at the same time I’m getting lots of opportunities, and that’s something I can keep going.”
Rookie left wing Brandon Saad, a second-round draft pick in June, also reaches the final preseason game still with a shot to make the club.
“He does a lot of good things,” Quenneville said. “He’s played a lot of games here. I still think he does a lot of good things, has good patience, good recognition. We’ve been pleased with him.”
Final cuts are expected Monday or Tuesday, including a decision on the backup goalie battle between veteran Ray Emery and rookie Alexander Salak.
All along it has felt as if the Hawks would prefer Emery’s experience, but he hasn’t had a great preseason with a 4.54 goals-against average and .813 save percentage in three appearances.
Salak has a 1.94 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in three appearances.
Salak is signed and Emery isn’t.
If Corey Crawford can’t face Washington because of whatever kept him out of practice Friday, Emery and Salak might get one last shot to show what they can do.
tsassone@dailyherald.com