Senator 2025-26 Player Preview: David Perron – Hockey Writer – Ottawa Senator
David Perron hopes to be a big part of the Ottawa Senator after a season whirlwind in 2024-25. Not even worried about what’s going on on the ice, Perron has been a strong leader in many successful teams and is a huge asset for the club.
From 2025-26, Perron will have a new start to take the top six and become an important part of the offense or can thrive in deep positions as a high-quality veterinarian.
perron by number
Drafting: 26Th Overall (First Round) was in 2007 by St. Louis Blues
Location: Wind (correct shooting)
Height/weight: 6 feet, 198 lbs
Age/Birthday: 37 years old (May 28, 1988)
nation: Canada
2024-25 Data: 9 goals, 7 assists, 16 points in 43 games
Career Statistics: 319 goals, 465 assists, 784 points in 1,174 games
How Perron got here
Perron was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NHL admission draft, spending six seasons with the St. Louis Blues, and it turned out to be a valuable, reliable mid-range six winger. His physical performance, which has 45 points in most seasons, and has established good chemistry.
After his sixth season, the Blues need to release some hat room as Alex Pietrangelo, Chris Stewart and Jake Allen become restricted free agents they need to sign. Perron ended up being a hat casualty and was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He will continue to score 28 goals, which is exactly what they bring to the goal. Next season, the Oilers were traded to the Penguins when they were in a bad attitude on the way to draft Connor McDavid.
Related: Senator 2025-26 Player Preview: Fabian Zetterlund
Perron continued to go to the Anaheim Ducks and then drafted as a free agent with the Blues as a free agent, drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights, played for a season, signed with the Blues again, and eventually played for the Detroit Red Wings and now Senator.
Such a career sounds more like a four-line grinder, who bounces in the league as a touring performer. This is not the case with Perron at all. Throughout his career, you can blend in with 20 goals and 45 to 60 points. He is an excellent mid-six winger and there is a reason why he is coveted.
Perron’s first season with the Senators didn’t start the way he or anyone wanted. He took a leave at the start of the season to handle family affairs and after returning in November, he lost 27 games to his back injury.
Peren’s role in 2025-26
Perron has no obvious place in the Senators’ roster. Sure, he’ll be on top, but he can find himself the offensive choice in the second row, or form a line with veterans Lars Eller and Nick Cousins in the fourth row.
So far, Perron has no injuries or obstacles and expects he to start the season healthy. While 20 goals and 60 points are probably a bit too much to hit at the 37-year-old, 15 goals and 40 points are perfectly reasonable, and if he does that with even strength, it could be a big step the Senator needs to take in this regard.
Perron is a player who has gone through some impressive rosters and is a sufficient number of players that he can find the right way wherever you need it. He’s very likely to stand out from three-tier characters like Ridly Greig and Shane Pinto, as the trio will have great defensive skills but also a great player, but also a Chark’s ability, but a tough attitude.
Once the playoffs were last season, Perron’s experience around the league was obvious. He was one of the few players who didn’t seem very nervous and played on the eggshell in the first few games. It’s obvious that he needs leadership on the team, and he can be a stabilizer for young teams, similar to Claude Giroux’s performance.
