Perron the Man to Watch

When the Blues selected forward David Perron at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, many heads were turned towards Blues management.  The QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs head coach Clem Jodoin, David’s coach before being drafted, even had some discouraging words when asked of Perron’s abilities.  He claimed that he was not very good in his own end and that he “needs to improve on his skating.”  But the Blues found something in the young player, and drafted him late in the first round, 26th overall.

Despite all of the criticism, Perron came to play in the St. Louis Blues’ training camp in 2007.  He really showed that he was ready for the big time when he made it past all of the pre-season cuts.  When it was announced that he would be on the opening day roster, fans were stunned.  Very few players stay on a team’s roster the season after being drafted, let alone players that are drafted late in the first round.  When asked of Perron, Blues President John Davidson said that the nineteen year-old rookie “needed some structure.”  Not only was Perron’s play needing work, but it was obvious to his teammates that he needed an attitude-adjustment.  Perron even stated to his team that he felt he deserved the puck more and would get angry at how many minutes he was playing every night.  But the player seemed to develop more as an adult than a hockey player.

“He was 18 years old when he came in,” stated teammate Keith Tkachuk this past summer.  “It’s a different ballgame when you come into the NHL at that young of an age.  Everybody learns.”

Perron even commented this summer about how he came off as cocky.  “My confidence will come from having NHL games under my belt,” Perron commented.

Perron showed strong strides this June at development camp, showing off his skills and being one of the better prospects on the ice.  Davidson even went as far as calling him the leader of the kids.

Perron’s development has truly progressed as each day has passed.  After a thirteen goal and twenty-seven point season in 2007-08, David has his sophomore season to prove that he can be an elite player in the lineup.  He has lost weight and begun a more vigorous workout to stay in shape.  “It’s going to take a few ice sessions to get used to the weight, but I’ve gotten faster, I think,” Perron told the press recently.

This season, the Blues are seeing possibly one of the bigger parts of the youth movement take effect.  With Perron and Erik Johnson beginning their second full season in the NHL, the team is also expected to add youngsters T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund into the mix, with a large possibly of 2008 draft choice Alex Pietrangelo stepping in as well.  Oshie and Berglund are expected to jump in instantly and start making a difference up front, while players like Paul Kariya and Brad Boyes are still expected to put up the big points.  Where does that leave Perron?

While other teams anticipate the 20 year-old to develop more and be a larger part of the Blues’ offense, they may not expect Perron to be a top-tier player.  He showed his puck-handling skills last season, along with a very accurate shot and blazing speed.  His passing was above-average as well, but his timing was a little off.  He seemed to hold the puck longer than his teammates would have liked, which landed him on the fourth line in many games.  That is something that can only be improved upon with more time played though.  Davidson backed up his head coach’s decision recently, telling the media about his beliefs in playing-time:

“I know Andy (Murray) has admiration for what the kid has been able to do so far.  But David’s got to go out and earn it.  I love the fact that it wasn’t handed to him.  He had to earn it.  If there were no results, it’s a whole different story on both sides, but there were results.”

If David continues to make the strides that he has made over the past year, Blues fans may just be getting what they want; more playing time for Perron.  And it is this writer’s belief that this sophomore will be a top player for years to come for the organization.  Only David can make sure that claim is a reality.