A little over a month has passed since former St. Louis Blues fan-favourite forward David Perron signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. But just because time has passed doesn’t mean Blues fans are taking it any better. Perron has played with the Blues on three different occasions, none more successful for him individually or for the team than his third go-around. He helped lead the Blues to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, scored many clutch goals and even at 34, was fun to watch, especially when he gelled with linemate and captain Ryan O’Reilly.
And it doesn’t help Blues fans that management didn’t go out and get someone to replace his production. Instead, they likely hope guys like Robert Thomas, who recently signed an eight-year, $65 million extension can produce even more. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but let’s take one last look back at Perron’s career as a Blue (unless of course, he decides to come back for a fourth time).
David Perron and His First Time in St. Louis
The Blues drafted David Perron in the first round, 26th overall, by the Blues in the 2007 NHL Draft. He spent his first six years in the NHL with the Blues before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013 offseason. His best season in his first time in St. Louis was in 2008-09. He had 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points in 81 games, adding 50 penalty minutes. After taking a hit to the head by Joe Thornton in 2010 and dealing with a concussion that kept him out the rest of the season, many wondered what his career would look like. That was if, he would still be able to play at all. Little did they know his best seasons were still to come.
Trip Number Two
After stops on the Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks, David Perron found his way back to St. Louis, signing as a free agent in the 2016 offseason. This trip only lasted one season before the Blues exposed him in the 2017 expansion draft and the Vegas Golden Knights selected him. He had 18 goals, 28 assists and 46 points in 82 games, adding 54 penalty minutes. These are similar to his previous numbers as a Blue.
Save the Best for Last
Perron once again signed with the Blues as a free agent in the 2018 offseason after just one season in Vegas. With 66 points in 70 games, that was his best season. The Blues won the Cup in his first season back. He had seven goals, nine assists and 16 points in 26 playoff games. He scored two game-winning goals, including a controversial Stanley Cup Final Game 5 winner that was allowed despite a non-call on Tyler Bozak for tripping now-Blue Noel Acciari.
In his entire Blues career, Perron had 196 goals and 269 assists for 465 points in 673 games and 22 goals, 26 assists and 48 points in 77 playoff games. He had seven hat tricks, five of those in his last time with the Blues. He represented the Blues as an All-Star in 2020.
As weird as still is for Blues fans to willingly watch the Detroit Red Wings, now that they have Perron, Ville Husso, Jake Walman, Oskar Sundqvist and Robby Fabbri, Blues fans will tune in to see how their former players do. And they’ll root for Perron’s success forever.
David Perron is the 14th Blue to score a hat trick in the #StanleyCup Playoffs. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/ezwiylROGN
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 3, 2022
