National Hockey League: David Perron Gets two more years with the Blues
The very young St. Louis Blues forward, David Perron, has been signed for another two years. The news of the extension for the restricted free agent was announced on Wednesday. Perron was a first round draft pick in 2007. The deal pays him $4.3 million for the two years; $1.8 million of it in the 2010-2011season.
The deal brings amazing value for money because the young Perron is tied for 4th on the Blues roster with an impressive 47 points in total with 20 goals last season. The signing should come as a relief for the Blues because of that.
The Blues’ General Manager, Doug Armstrong, made a statement to that effect after the signing. He said that Perron had proved to be a key forward in the Blues rank. “We are expecting David to grow into a complete player at this level,” Doug added.
Considering Perron’s growth as a player, to many, the salary is surprisingly low. Fans and analysts alike were expecting something in the $3-4 million range per season. Considering the kind of bumper salaries that we have been seeing in NHL, 3-4 per season sounds reasonable for an up and coming forward like Perron; kudos to Doug on making a good deal for the blues.
Perron still gets his chance though. In two years if he continues this kind of scoring or improves as everyone expects him to, his next contract will put his current salary to shame. Perron’s career is off to a flying start. He is the youngest player in Blues history to have played 200 games and is already set to play his fourth NHL season with the Blues at just the age of 22.
By the end of the term, Doug will have to offer him a much more lucrative contract if he wants to keep Perron because other teams will be getting in line to get their hands on him. Though there is a bond building between him and St. Louis. "I love playing in St. Louis and in front of our fans," Perron said. "For the past three seasons they have treated me great and I can't wait for the season to start."
Perron has grown not just as a player but also as a person. Hardly unexpected since he became a professional hockey player when he was a teenager; adolescence got in his way when he walked into the blues locker room as a 19 year old skilled athlete. Three years later he walks the same corridors as an even better athlete and one of the most liked players among the Blues.
“It went by super fast,” Perron said speaking of his time with the Blues. He expressed his disbelief at how much times have changed since all his energies were focused on making the team and now when he already has played 3 seasons worth of Ice hockey. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do,” he said.
The work he has already done must get a mention and Doug made sure his accomplishments were acknowledged. “David, coming from where he was drafted and making the NHL his first year, he’s earned everything he’s gotten as a Blue,” he said.
He also said that Perron’s improvements on the ice and the experience he has acquired would make Perron a consistent forward for the Blues. “One of the necessities on our team is being a good two-way player, and we think he'll be an excellent two-way player,” he said.
As far as consistency is concerned, he has been more than consistent. In his rookie season, Perron scored 13 goals increasing that to 15 in his second season and 20 in his third year. In his NHL career so far, he has played 225 games and raked in 124 points along with 148 penalty minutes.
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