The Edmonton Oilers could be interested in trading for Detroit Red Wings winger David Perron, per team reporter Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. Matheson shares that Oiler general manager Ken Holland has long been a fan of Perron, though the Red Wings would need to retain half of Perron’s $4.75MM cap hit if any deal were to go through. The Oilers have proven their interest in veteran wingers already, signing free agent Corey Perry to a one-year, $1MM contract. Perry managed his first point as an Oiler on Friday, recording an assist on Evander Kane’s second-period goal.
Perron, 35, has been in the NHL since 2007 – jumping straight into the league after getting selected 26th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft. His 27 points in 62 games as a rookie is the lowest that Perron has scored in his career when he appeared in 50 or more games in a season. He’s proven incredibly productive, even into his glory years – tallying 58, 57, and 56 points respectively across the last three seasons. He has 10 goals and 23 points in 44 games this year, currently on his lowest scoring pace since the 2015-16 season when he managed just 16 points in 43 games.
Perry and Perron aren’t just 1000-game veterans of the NHL, they’re both Stanley Cup champions – with Perry winning with the 2007 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Perron winning with the 2019 St. Louis Blues. The pair has nearly 300 playoff games under their belt – with Perron making up 104 of those games – bringing a much-needed playoff poise to an Oilers team that has made the Conference Finals just once since 2006.
The Red Wings would have the upper hand in any trade negotiations for Perron, especially since they’ll need to retain salary. The Oilers own their first-round selection in each of the next three drafts, as well as their second-round pick this year. They may need to be ready to part with some of those picks if they want to bring in a 17-year veteran in Perron.
Other notes from around the league:
- Montreal Canadiens forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard exited the team’s Saturday afternoon game against the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury suffered on a collision with teammate Joel Armia. Harvy-Pinard previously missed seven weeks of the season with a lower-body injury, limiting the 25-year-old to just 23 games on the season. He’s scored one goal and seven points in those outings, adding six penalty minutes.
- The Chicago Blackhawks saw Andreas Athanasiou return to practice on Saturday, marking his first skate since suffering a groin injury in early November. Athanasiou, 29, has played in just 11 games this season, recording four assists but still searching for his first goal of the year. His return will be a breath of fresh air for a Blackhawks offense that’s scored just 10 goals over their last eight games, going 1-6-1 in the matchups. Athanasiou scored 20 goals and 40 points last season, his highest productivity since scoring 30 goals and 54 points in the 2018-19 season.
Detroit just beat the Canucks this afternoon. With Detroit playing well, Holand may have to wait til July 1 to get Perron!
The Red Wings will add not subtract as they have the last Wild Card spot as of now.
I would love to see Perron get traded. He won’t be back next year regardless.
I’ve never seen a guy who takes more unnecessary dumb penalties as David Perron.
He did it again today with just a stupid, lazy hold on a guy and because his foot speed is so bad.
He got lucky. Vancouver didn’t score on the ensuing PP.
This crap of “he’s good in the room” is so overplayed.
I’d be fine with a Perron to EDM trade because it seems like either a) Kenny Holland has a soft spot for DET or b) Kenny Holland doesn’t understand player trade values or c) Kenny Holland doesn’t understand NHL salary caps or d) ALL OF THE ABOVE.
Each deal we’ve made since 2019 w EDM I came away with a “what a steal by Stevie” reaction.
If Holland offers up a ’24 1st I’d say yes in a heartbeat. If he offered a 2026 1st (after they likely lose 1 of their 2 MVPs) I’d say yes and then send a bouquet of roses as a thank you.
I doubt 6 weeks + Playoffs of Perron at this stage of his career would net anything better than a 3rd round pick, and that’s if DET retained $. No retention I think 4th is probably highest bid.
But you never know how in love Kenny Holland is with a player until deadline day