Pirri, Rangers agree to terms for one year

The free agency season is not completely finished, yet.

On Friday, the New York Rangers agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent forward Brandon Pirri.

This past season the 25-year old forward skated with the Florida Panthers and Anaheim Ducks and posted 14 goals and 29 points in 61 games.

The Ducks acquired Pirri ahead of the trade deadline in February of this year and then left him unsigned after the season.

The one-year deal is reported at $1.1 million and Pirri was considered a value in the thin free agency market as it exists now.

The signing adds even more depth to a winger corps for the Rangers and the addition of Pirri along with Jimmy Vessey last week makes the team open for trade talks one would and should assume. 

The Blueshirts need defensive help and now they have some quality younger talent to back up any decision they may make to trade away older veteran forwards who have been under producing for years.

After a season of dreadful results from several high end players Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton now has an embarrassment of riches of sorts in the forwards that can now be moved to the asset ledger to be traded for real need, defense.

There is now some significant youth in the forward lines as well with 25-27-year old, inexpensive players in the lineup. 

With the pending expansion draft next season, the Rangers may also stand pat and free up some of the talent that otherwise would get away during free agency next year.