Former Red Wing David Perron appeared on TSN 1200’s “Coming in Hot” podcast today, speaking with Brent Wallace and Jason York about joining the Ottawa Senators as an unrestricted free agent…
And the Hockey News’s Ottawa correspondent, Steve Warne, asked Red Wings beat writer Sam Stockton about the Senators’ signing:
“David Perron will be missed in Detroit. Yes, he is now one of the slowest players in the league. And yes, as Senators fans well know, he has something of a penchant for needless penalties. But, in their push from the bottom of the Atlantic to the painfully close playoff brink, Perron made the Red Wings better.
“Despite the lack of foot speed, his proficiency along the boards and craftiness in finding space in the offensive zone means he remains an attacking player, and he doesn’t sacrifice defending to find his points. He remains an effective player on the flank on the power play—with a knack for completing passes into the slot and no compunction about forcing the issue with a one-timer when the circumstances call for it.
“Eight million dollars over two years is a lot to live up to at 36, but you can be assured of at least one thing with Perron. He will be relentless every night, a spark of energy for his teammates. Perron’s teammates would all describe his voice in the locker room as ever-present, demanding a standard of competitiveness that helped push the Red Wings toward the playoffs.
“There’s no reason that shouldn’t travel to Ottawa, regardless of age.”
Perron is definitely relentless in terms of his energy and effort, but at this point, I just can’t see the sense in paying him $4 million per season until he’s 38. Perron had some difficulties scoring goals this past season, yielding a litany of stick changes, and his penalty-minutes and plus-minus were not exemplary. Moreover, his lack of foot speed and penchant for taking obstruction penalties began to become a liability, especially in the second half of last season.
It’s going to suck for the Red Wings to have to play against Perron because he’s such a sneaky sniper and tough son-of-a-monkey–and there is no doubt that, as Stockton suggests, Perron is going to be a hell of an exemplary for Brady Tkachuk and the up-and-coming Senators.
I just believe that the Red Wings’ relationship with Perron reached its logical conclusion, and I wish him the best–except when he plays against Detroit.
I’m not sure where Ottawa thinks they stand in terms of the playoff picture right now but I could imagine a GM thinking that’s a good cost for a guy who you may be able to sell at the deadline to a contender for picks and young assets (even with some salary retained depending on cap situation) this year or next.
That’s entirely possible, Tyler, but picking up a guy who’s got a year remaining at $4 million usually doesn’t work unless the trading team (i.e. Ottawa) picks up some of that money. We’ll see yet, you never know.