Red Wings' Perron still in 'shock' about Blues exit

It's been almost three weeks since David Perron joined the Detroit Red Wings in free agency, but the forward is still surprised he won't be suiting up for the St. Louis Blues when the 2022-23 season kicks off.

"I'm still in a little bit of shock that it didn't work out, the way the years went," Perron told The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford. "I guess if you see my performance declining or something, then you're like, 'Maybe there's something there.'

"That’s still like raw to me. I had to let some of the dust settle, and I guess I still have to let that happen."

Perron said his agent, Allan Walsh, spoke to Blues general manager Doug Armstrong prior to the 2022 NHL Draft about keeping the veteran in St. Louis.

The Blues ultimately went a different way July 13, signing Robert Thomas to a monster eight-year extension beginning in 2023-24 and bringing back trade-deadline acquisition Nick Leddy.

"I just felt like that was going to be an easy extension to get done over the summer," Perron said. "I wasn't going to be crazy. I just wanted something where I felt respected."

The 34-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down in the latter years of his career. Perron potted 27 goals and 30 assists while pacing the Blues with 26 power-play points in 67 regular-season games.

The Quebec native dominated in the postseason with a team-leading nine goals and 13 points in 12 contests before St. Louis fell to the Colorado Avalanche in the second round.

Perron also played a key part during the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup victory, chipping in with seven tallies, nine assists, and two game-winning goals in 26 showings.

"After the performance, the loyalty, winning the Stanley Cup ... all that combined, I just felt like if you wanted someone, you make it happen, you find a way," Perron said.

"There's no excuse there for me. That's what is really hurting me, for sure. I'm not saying it's going to be the right or wrong decision from the team perspective, but I just kind of felt like I commanded and earned that a little bit."

Perron inked a two-year deal worth $9.5 million to join the Red Wings, marking the first time in his career he signed a contract that wasn't with St. Louis.

He enjoyed three separate stints with the Blues across 11 seasons and ranks ninth in franchise history in goals (196) and eighth in points (465).

Selected by St. Louis in the first round of the 2007 draft, Perron has 665 points in 973 career NHL games split between the Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and Vegas Golden Knights.