The Ottawa Senators were looking to add a quality veteran forward this past free agency. To do so, the Senators signed David Perron to a two-year, $8 million contract.
Despite being in his mid-30s, Perron has been able to produce offense well for his age. Since the 2017-18 season, Perron has recorded two 60-point seasons, three 50-point seasons, and has always recorded at least 45 points in a season. Perron also brought championship pedigree to the Senators after winning the 2019 Stanley Cup as a member of the St. Louis Blues.
Perron was familiar with the Senators after spending the past two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, an Atlatic Division foe. The Senators and Perron appeared to be a good signing on both sides. However, the Perron signing hasn't been working out so far, and the Senators need to get production out of Perron soon.
Senators desperately need Perron to start heating up
Prior to the start of the season, Perron said high praise about the Senators' core and how he wanted to be part of it. The Senators were hoping his high praise of the Senators' core would translate over into offensive production, but it hasn't gone well three games into the season.
Perron is pointless with a -1 rating, and only averaging over 14 minutes of ice time. That isn't the start the Senators were looking to get from Perron. However, Perron can replicate his start of the season like last season.
Through the first three games of last season, Perron was pointless with the Red Wings. In the fourth game of the season, Perron scored and would go on to record at least one point in the following two games. With tomorrow being the Senators' fourth game of the season, it offers the perfect chance for Perron to heat up because two other new free agent signings haven't produced much on offense either like Perron.
Newly signed Stanley Cup champion Nick Cousins is pointless with a -1 rating like Perron and Michael Amadio is also pointless. Amadio had the perfect chance in his last game against the Los Angeles Kings to heat up due to his success against the Kings, but went pointless. Cousins has only averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time as the Senators are barely getting offensive production from him.
Perron needs to start getting hot for the Senators to keep the offense playing at a high level. With eight goals scored in the last game on Monday, the Senators need to carry it over into tomorrow's game against the New Jersey Devils. Perron is capable of getting hot when needed, and tomorrow offers an excellent chance.