Red Wings Reacquire David Perron
The Detroit Red Wings acquired veteran winger David Perron in a trade with the Ottawa Senators at the NHL deadline. Perron, who previously played for Detroit, returns to bring scoring depth and leadership to a team pushing for a playoff spot. The move adds experience to Detroit's forward group as they make their postseason push.
This is David Perron's second tour of duty with the Red Wings, after he played for the team from 2022 to 2024. In his prior 158 games with Detroit, he registered 41 goals and 62 assists for a total of 103 points. He departed in the summer of 2024, signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Ottawa Senators. The cost for the Red Wings to bring Perron back was a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2026. That pick can become a third-rounder if the Red Wings make it to the second round of the playoffs and Perron participates in at least half of the first-round games. Perron, 37, is in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. In 49 games with the Senators this season, he scored 10 goals and added 15 assists for 25 points. His 10 goals would rank him sixth among current Red Wings players. The veteran forward has been sidelined since January 20th after undergoing sports hernia surgery. The initial recovery timeline was five to seven weeks, and recent reports indicate he has resumed skating, suggesting a return to the ice could be imminent. Perron is known for his leadership and for standing up for his teammates. During his previous stint in Detroit, he was noted for his vocal presence in the locker room, which was credited by former coach Derek Lalonde as a key factor during a successful 9-2-1 run in January 2024. The acquisition is aimed at bolstering Detroit's five-on-five offense and adding a veteran presence for their playoff push. Perron is expected to fit into a middle-six forward role and contribute to a power play that currently ranks 8th in the NHL with a 23.1% success rate.
