Hawks acquire two prospects

The Chicago Blackhawks continued the recent personnel shuffle this week sending Rockford Ice Hogs defenceman Matt Taormina and Casey Borer to Pittsburgh in exchange for forwards Brandon Pirri and Jason Zucker. It was surprising to see the Hawks move Taormina, signed as a free agent this offseason,  as he was moving quickly up the Hawks depth chart after a strong start to the season. When the opportunity arose to acquire two very talented forwards however, GM Semonick wasted no time pulling the trigger.

"Right now in our organization we have a very very deep stockpile of NHL ready, or near NHL ready young defenceman. Our entire top six is under the age of 2, and we have several very talented defenceman in our pipeline who are ready for a larger role. With this in mind we were able to deal a talented player like Matt in order to acquire two young players with terrific upside."

Pirri, a 6'0 180lb center has made a solid transition to the pro game after leaving R.P.I after a standout freshman season that saw him notch 43 points in 39 games. He has put up 9 points in 19 games as one of the youngest players in all of the American Hockey League. Pirri is a gifted playmaker who makes the players around him better, he also possesses two way acumen. He is among the favorites to secure a spot on Canada's world junior team, and if he makes it should be among its offensive leaders.

Zucker, a 5'10 winger, is having a breakout offensive campaign for the power house University of Denver. Always regarded as an excellent defensive forward and forechecker, Zucker has added top level production to his game. A true freshman, and one of the younger players in the NCAA Zucker has posted 9 goals and 14 points in 16 games this season. He will be among the returnees for the defending gold medalist Americans and the WJC, and should play a very prominent role on the squad.