Morning Notes: Perron, Rust, Stars

Rumblings around the Red Wings pursuing an extension with pending UFA winger David Perron have picked up over the past few days, according to reports from ESPN’s Emily Kaplan and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman (link to “32 Thoughts” podcast, 15:13 mark).

Age is starting to catch up with the 35-year-old, who’s on the verge of completing the two-year, $9.5MM deal he signed with Detroit in free agency in 2022. He’s dropped to a third-line role after adding Patrick Kane to the Red Wings’ top six and has 28 points in 52 games, his lowest points-per-game pace in eight years. That said, he’s still contributing value for his $4.75MM cap hit, and he likely won’t command a raise on a short-term pact to potentially finish out his career in Hockeytown.

Averaging 15:13 per game, Perron isn’t even the highest-volume point producer on a strong Red Wings depth offense that has the team primed to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Robby Fabbri and Daniel Sprong are outproducing Perron on a per-game basis with a higher percentage of even-strength production.

Perron’s possession metrics have also taken a tumble. While Detroit controls more offense at even strength than their advanced numbers suggest they should, Perron’s impact is still below average compared to his teammates, with a 45.1 CF% and a -5.7 expected rating. His -12 actual rating is tied for worst among their forwards with Lucas Raymond and Joe Veleno.

That said, keeping him around for another year or two at a reduced cap hit is an understandable choice for a bottom-six that’s set to have a decent amount of turnover this summer. He’s got a well-documented history of strong playoff performances – he’s averaged over a point per game across his last two postseason appearances and captured a ring as a member of the Blues in 2019.

Other tidbits from around the NHL to kick off the week:

• Penguins winger Bryan Rust is being evaluated for an upper-body injury after leaving Sunday’s crucial win over the Flyers in the third period, head coach Mike Sullivan said. The Penguins aren’t yet sure if he’ll travel on their four-game road swing through Canada and the Pacific Northwest that could potentially decide their playoff fate. Rust had two goals in yesterday’s contest and has six in his last seven games. The 31-year-old has rebounded after a tough season last year, overcoming multiple injuries throughout the campaign to post 18 goals and 36 points in 42 games alongside his usual linemate, Sidney Crosby. Signed to a $5.125MM cap hit through 2028, Rust missed a trio of games in November with a lower-body injury and most of December with an upper-body injury. It’s unclear if this new injury is related to his previous upper-body ailment. If he’s not able to dress for Tuesday’s game against the Canucks, expect Matthew Phillips or Jesse Puljujärvi to re-enter the lineup after being scratched against Philly. The Penguins have cap space to make a corresponding recall in Rust’s absence if he’s placed on injured reserve.
• Stars GM Jim Nill spoke with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun on Sunday, confirming that he’ll be aggressive in adding depth to the Dallas blue line over the next week and a half. Nill said he’s still in the “monitoring” stage of determining the cost of potential trade targets, which LeBrun confirms includes Flames veteran shutdown man Chris Tanev (although Nill declined to comment). Nill also said the team will get top shutdown prospect Lian Bichsel, currently on loan to Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, back before the end of the season and could be a depth option to make his NHL debut down the stretch or in the postseason if injuries strike.