Will The AHL All-Star MVP Ever See Chicago Again?

Nov 29, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Brandon Pirri (37) chases the puck during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In case you missed it while watching the Olympics from Sochi, Brandon Pirri won the AHL All-Star MVP the other night while scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in the AHL All-Star Win vs the Swedish Team that came over to challenge the NHL wanna be’s.

If you look at the Pirri timeline since last August you would see a lot talk of promise, with some signs of that promise, but injuries sidelining him at the wrong time.  Pirri also has been told to not to play his game 100% but become a 200 foot player when he’s an offensive threat.

First let’s look at the injuries,  Pirri’s biggest disappointment has to be getting hurt on the first day of training camp which opened the door for the failed attempt to add Joakim Nordstrom to the roster in the first few weeks of the season.  Pirri made it back before the end of training camp but it was too little too late even though he played well.  When Pirri did make it to Chicago it seemed like he instantly had some chemistry with Patrick Kane and the Hawks offense exploded.

A funny thing happened to a dark horse Calder candidate, Quenneville soured on Pirri’s defense and his playing time suffered then he was dropped off the second line and then he found himself back in Rockford.  On our Twitter page anytime Pirri is in Rockford we have posted #FreePirri not because he’s a generational talent but because he facilitates the offense and a different level than Michal Handzus.  The problem for Pirri it seems almost impossible to get a first look idea of a player out Quenneville’s head once the thought arrives there (See Jeremy Morin)

Pirri was out for 3 weeks in Rockford because of another injury and as soon as he made it back to the lineup he was recalled, but this time he didn’t hit the scoresheet even though his defense was much better than earlier in the season.  One problem that Pirri faces that the veteran guard didn’t face was being able to play to find his game, because unfortunately for him this is a Stanley Cup team and they can’t afford to wait for Pirri to find his comfort level as the 2nd line center, unlike the “veteran Hawks” that were on a terrible team and were given the time to find their NHL game.

So Pirri just goes out and wins the AHL All-Star game so the question is this going to springboard him to a final shot this season with the Blackhawks or will Pirri be a whole lot of bait during the trade deadline which is March 5th.  If Pirri is trade bait for Stan Bowman what could he get that will help the team come April?  The Hawks need someone to fill in the 2nd line center so it does seem hard to believe the Hawks will trade Pirri for and upgrade at that position.

So what do you think? Will Pirri make it to Chicago ever again?

For more Blackhawks updates and conversation follow us on Twitter @Blackhawk_Up or Like our Facebook page at Blackhawkup