Is Free Agent David Perron's NHL Career Over?

While we've witnessed the salaries of the NHL's top stars increase exponentially, with the signing of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar's $20.8 M average annual value contract, there remains an underbelly of serviceable players who are still unsigned. 

One of those is veteran David Perron, who was once a part of the misift-era Vegas Golden Knights and played his last season split between the Ottawa Senators (49 games) and Detroit Red Wings (16 games). 

The veteran played 64 games in total, scoring 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists), a stark contrast to his prime where he was once a 66-point player in Vegas during the 2017-18 Golden Knights season under head coach Gerard Gallant. 

Their season was defined by their run to the Stanley Cup, a Cinderella story for a team that was put together with the ingenuity of the once-loved NHL franchise. 

Now, eight years later, Perron's star has fallen after attaining a Stanley Cup the following season with the St. Louis Blues in 2018-19. 

Secondary-Scoring Option

Perron has been seen as a secondary scoring option and has been used as a bottom-six option in recent seasons. 

His last contract paid him $4 million AAV over two years, which the Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios signed him to in 2024. 

With training camps fast approaching, it seems that Perron's career in the NHL could be in dire straits without a contract. 

Is A PTO In The Future?

He may have to consider signing a professional tryout with another NHL organization, or an amateur tryout if worst comes to worst. 

Time truly comes for us all, and for Perron who has played 1,239 games in the NHL, scoring 812 points (332 goals, 480 assists), and one Stanley Cup to his name.