Blues ink youngster Perron
The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed left-winger David Perron to a two-year, $4.3 million deal. The youngster has played three seasons with the Blues, and was re-signed as a restricted free agent.
David Perron
Perron began his professional career playing for the Ste. Jerome Panthers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He enjoyed a productive season with the Panthers before moving to the Lewiston Maineiacs. Here Perron flourished playing in 70 games and notched a team leading 39 goals and 44 assists for 83 points. Lewiston won the Presidents Cup that season and competed in the Memorial Cup.
That year Perron was drafted 26th overall by the Blues in the 2007 National Hockey League entry draft. Perron had an outstanding training camp in St. Louis, and was given a spot on the team.
In 2007-08 Perron contributed well to the Blues, tallying 27 points in 62 games. The following season he improved those numbers by notching a career high 50 points in 81 games, as well as an impressive rating of plus-13.
Last season with St. Louis Perron scored 20 goals and 27 assists, for 47 points.
Blues’ Perspective
For the Blues they get to hold onto a very skilled young winger, who seems to be developing every year. Perron is a very important part of the Blues future, and at only 22, the hope is that he will be able to step in a fill a major offensive role. In addition, with Paul Kariya leaving the club, Perron is slotted to get a great deal of his minutes either on the team's first or second line.
Furthermore, in addition to his offensive prowess Perron is also a practiced defensive forward. In 225 career games in the NHL, Perron is a plus-19. The fact that Perron can play in several situations is a real benefit to the Blues who are constantly scrambling to fill those lines.
St. Louis were also able to keep Perron with a reasonable two-year contract. Making just over $2 million per season he does not weigh heavily on their books. Also, the length of the deal plays to the favour of the Blues as well, as in two years they should know what kind of player they have, and whether or not they are willing to dish out the big bucks for him.
Perron’s Perspective
For Perron this contract is another opportunity to prove himself, and try to improve on last year's performance, where his point totals dipped slightly.
Listed generously at six feet tall, Perron is not the largest player in the league, and uses his size to his advantage as he shifts through the defence. Thought to be an NHL long-shot because of his stature, this contract gives Perron another chance to prove why he belongs in the league full time. In addition, his last season looked to be a step backward for the Montreal native, and a two year contract gives him another shot to bump his numbers in order to get that long term deal.
Perhaps most important to Perron however, is the fact that he will be given the ice time to succeed in St. Louis. With such a young team, that is constantly growing and learning together, Perron gets the opportunity to take part more than in other line-ups. He should expect to see power play and perhaps even penalty kill time next season, something that would be unlikely anywhere else.
The Perron signing is not a surprise as the Blues still have a great deal of room to work under the cap. The signing will give Perron an opportunity to improve on his play last season, and give the decision makers in St. Louis another two years to watch the youngster.
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