Awaiting UFA Perron, who hopes to rejoin, advance with the Red Wings
After winning three games in overtime to close up the regular season, the Red Wings matched for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with the Washington Capitals. However, the regulation win tiebreaker prevented them from making the playoffs. “It’s frustrating, the way it ended, with all the comebacks we had to keep our season alive,” Perron said.
The season finale determined Detroit’s fate; the Flyers needed to defeat the Red Wings and win in regulation against the Capitals in order to advance. In the midst of Detroit’s season finale against the Montreal Canadiens, they withdrew their goalie late in the third period of a draw game, only to have T.J. Oshie score an empty-netter to give the Capitals the victory and the playoff place.
“I think one minute after I scored [the tying goal against the Canadiens in the third period], not even, 45 seconds later, we’re sitting on the bench and then find out the Flyers have their goalie pulled,” Perron said.”I would love to find out the timeline of all this, but not long after, Oshie scored on the empty net, and at that point, we knew our season was over.”
Though the season ended without much promise and the Red Wings had gone eight seasons without making the playoffs, Perron was encouraged by his second season in Motown. “I think a lot of the guys in the room never played meaningful games all the way until the end of the season, and you know how hard these seasons are, so it was a big step forward.”
Perron envisions remaining in Detroit.
After 17 seasons, the 36-year-old forward is about to reach free agency and is hoping for another opportunity after finishing the season with 17 goals and 47 points in 76 appearances.”I think the team wants me back, I want to be back, so let’s see what happens in the next little while,” he stated.
However, I am aware that it is a business. When things didn’t work out in St. Louis a few years ago, I was open to exploring other options, and I had a great time when I was here.” Throughout his illustrious career, Perron has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Blues, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2019.
The product of Sherbrooke, Quebec, feels he still has a lot to provide on the ice and aspires to be a wise veteran in the locker room. “I’ve tried to take little bits and pieces from the veterans I’ve played with over the years, to have a little bit more of an impact in the locker room, and I think I’ve done that here,” he stated.
“As one ages, one can never predict when their life will end. Thus, personally, I’m content with the past two years, and I intend to continue playing.”