Detroit Red Wings trade deadline acquisition David Perron‘s return gives them a much-needed boost as the down-the-stretch phase continues. His surprise appearance in Saturday’s loss to the Dallas Stars couldn’t have come a moment too soon, considering the adversity facing the Red Wings thanks to injuries to Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, and Michael Rasmussen.

Detroit Red Wings Trade Acquisition Returns for the Season’s Most Crucial Phase

Following the trade deadline, Perron wasn’t expected to return until at least March 20th, but he had other ideas. Given the rash of injuries that have left the Red Wings reeling, his early availability is a much needed boost, mainly because Perron knows how to navigate through adversity.

Credit Image: © Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire

Perron helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019. It was a season when nobody thought the Blues stood a chance to snag a playoff berth, let alone win the Cup. Before that, he was part of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights and helped them shock the NHL with an appearance in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.

Now, the Red Wings face a similar situation, having lost five of their last six with just four points to show for it. If nothing else, this is where Perron’s value comes into play until Larkin and Copp return. He will be a voice in the locker room early on. Once he’s acclimated to playing a good 13-14 minutes per game regularly, he will contribute offensively like he did in Ottawa earlier this season.

David Perron Gives the Red Wings a Much-Needed Fallback Option

With so many injuries, Red Wings fans are relegated to watching players like John Leonard, Sheldon Dries, and Dominik Shine play far more hockey at the NHL level than they should down the stretch when every game matters. Ideally, Perron would fit in as a third-liner. Granted, that would be behind a healthy top-six forward group. This will add a physical layer that the Wings have lacked, and provide a supplementary scoring option.

Without Larkin and Copp, that’s not feasible. It also gives Perron a prime opportunity to be a good fallback option. Before his time with the Ottawa Senators ended, Perron had 25 points and 10 goals through 49 games. His Corsi For at even strength was a healthy 53.5. Additionally, he was constantly helping to put the Senators in a good place to score.

Should Perron get reacclimated quickly after missing nearly two months because of a groin injury, he will give the Wings a solid consolation piece as they wait for Larkin, Copp, and Rasmussen to return. That’s better than watching organizational depth struggle to make an impact when the Wings need to land every point they can muster.

The Ideal Scenario for the Red Wings in March Involves Veterans Stepping Up

Luckily for Perron, he doesn’t need to carry the team on his back. Veterans like Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk, and J.T. Compher have more than their fair share of experience. They know what to do when the games get more intense in March. Moreover, Kane has proven he can still put up respectable numbers with 38 points and 10 goals across 52 games. He remains a viable top-six forward.

Van Riemsdyk isn’t the player he was, but he’s a solid depth scorer. On the season, he has 28 points with 15 goals in 58 games. Meanwhile, Compher helped the Colorado Avalanche hoist the Stanley Cup in 2022. So the veteran leadership on this team is alive and well at forward. Even without Larkin and Copp in the lineup.

With the Red Wings dropping to the second wild card spot with 80 points and teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets knocking on the door with 79 points, if Perron, Kane, van Riemsdyk, and Compher are going to step up and play their best hockey of the season, now would be the time. Step up, keep things manageable, build momentum, and when Larkin and Copp return, end the year on a high note and with a playoff berth.

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