The Senators signed 36-year-old free agent winger David Perron to a two-year deal worth $8 million. What are they getting for their money?
Former Detroit Red Wings veteran David Perron was one of the Ottawa Senators' key free agent signings ten days ago. At 36, Perron has had a long NHL career, playing in 1131 regular season games, putting up 768 points, and winning a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
But that was then. This is now.
Perron just got a two-year deal with Ottawa worth $4 million a season, which is pretty much the average annual salary he's played for every year over the past decade.
Sens fans are curious to know if he's still worth that kind of money.
They know Perron from occasional viewings here and there (and from the cross-check on Artem Zub last season), but most probably never focused that much on him – not the way they would have if they'd known he'd be a future Senator.
Perron's experience and leadership will certainly help in Ottawa, but the clock is now ticking loudly on his physical ability and his pro hockey career, as it does for every player in their mid-to-late 30s.
So we contacted our Atlantic Division colleague, Sam Stockton, the Red Wings beat reporter for The Hockey News, who watched all of Perron's games last season, to gauge what kind of player the Senators will be getting this fall.
And the reviews are good.
"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."