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Free Agency Preview: David Perron

Player Profile

David Perron is an interesting player as he has played for three different teams over the last three seasons, most recently with the Anaheim Ducks after being dealt from the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 16.

The 2007 first-round draft pick has never been an elite goal scorer by any means, but over the years he has shown that he is a guy that will go out and get you somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 points a year. The 28-year-old also battled the injury bug last season including a shoulder surgery suffered on March 20 that kept him out of the lineup until Game One against the Predators in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Perron is coming off of a four-year, $15.25 million contract that carried a $3.812 million cap-hit last season.

Recent Stats

Perron lit the lamp four times and added 12 helpers in 43 games with the Penguins before scoring eight goals and assisting on 12 others in 28 regular season games with the Ducks. Four of his 16 goals came on the man advantage for the Ducks during the regular season as he averaged 2:35 of power play time per contest. He scored one goal and had two assists against Nashville in the first-round of the playoffs this year.

Here is Perron and the Ducks hooking up for a beautiful goal:

His best season came in 2013-14 when he found the back of the net 28 times and added 29 helpers in 78 games with the Edmonton Oilers. Perron put together a 41-point 2014-15 season in 38 games with the Oilers and 41 games with the Penguins.

In taking a look at his 35 total games with Anaheim this season – yes, we know that isn’t a massive sample size – his Corsi For percentage at even strength stood at 55.4 percent. Perron also averaged 1.3 scoring chances per game at even strength with a scoring chance +/- mark of 42. His even strength shooting percentage was a whopping 12 percent as well.

Here is a look at who Perron played alongside the most this season as a Duck:

The top line of Perron – Ryan GetzlafChris Stewart played a total of 89:10 during 5-on-5 play and the two combined for seven goals for and two goals allowed as a unit. They also held a Corsi For percentage of 58.1 percent to go along with an outrageous PDO of 108.3.

In all situations in his 35 games with the Ducks, Perron had 11 takeaways, five giveaways and blocked 13 shots. He also had a total of 67 shots on net.

Where Would He Fit?

Perron could fit the role of being an inbetweener between the second and third-line on the left-wing. The Preds of course have Colin Wilson serving that same role and some even see him moving up to the first-line. Then there is RFA Calle Jarnkrok who could be deployed as a center or as a third-line left winger as well.

Nashville could add Perron to throw a bit more gasoline on the fire of guys holding the title ‘hey, you’re going to play here tonight.’

With that being said, Perron is right-handed and could be deployed as a right-wing as well.

The options are nearly endless, but here is what the Preds’ top-nine could look like with the addition of Perron:

Filip ForsbergRyan JohansenJames Neal

Colin Wilson/David Perron – Mike RibeiroCraig Smith/Perron

David Perron/Colin Wilson/Calle Jarnkrok – Mike Fisher/Calle Jarnkrok – Viktor Arvidsson

Again, what makes the most sense would be for him to serve as one of those inbetweeners of the second and third-line.

Does It Make Sense?

Perron won’t be looking for a Cody Hodgson or Ribeiro ‘show me’ contract, so therefore it doesn’t make sense.

The Predators have their fair number of guys that fit the role of second or third-line wing with Wilson, Jarknrok, Arvidsson and don’t forget about Kevin Fiala and company in Milwaukee. The Predators certainly could use a legitimate second-line left winger, but Perron doesn’t fit that mold.

Perron won’t be a top free-agent pick for teams around the league, but he will either get re-signed by the Ducks or find a new home. He’ll go score 10-15 goals next season, but it wouldn’t make sense if that came in a Nashville sweater.

Stats via War On Ice.