Red Wings fired David Perron out of mutual respect, even though it seemed unlikely
“He’s a take charge guy, and the moment’s not too big for him,” Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said, via Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now. “He competes hard, he’s determined, and he’s a real professional. He has a real positive impact on our team.”
Perron expressed his affection for Detroit, stating, “I like it here. It’s a pretty special place.” Despite a decline in his offensive output—17 goals and 47 points in 76 games this past season compared to 24 goals and 56 points in 82 games in 2022-23—Perron remains productive. His last-second goal in the regular-season finale at Montreal kept Detroit’s playoff hopes alive momentarily before the Washington Capitals secured the final Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spot.
However, several challenges impede Perron’s return. Yzerman must sign young stars like defenseman Moritz Seider and left wing Lucas Raymond to expensive new contracts during the summer. Additionally, promising prospects such as winger Jonathan Berggren, center Nate Danielson, and winger Carter Mazur are expected to play for Detroit next season. These factors contribute to both a salary cap issue and a numbers game among forwards.
Furthermore, there’s the unresolved question of whether Patrick Kane will return to the team. Kane’s potential return adds another layer of complexity to Detroit’s roster decisions.
Despite the mutual desire for Perron to don the winged wheel again in the 2024-25 season, the odds are slim. The combination of salary cap constraints, the influx of young talent, and other roster considerations make it challenging to accommodate Perron, despite the significant positive impact he has had on the team.