David Perron’s Return to Detroit Looks Short-Lived as Free Agency Looms

The Detroit Red Wings have a messy summer ahead, and David Perron just added another item to the to-do list.

The veteran winger is expected to hit the open market when NHL free agency opens Wednesday at noon, according to insider Frank Seravalli. Perron and the Red Wings have kept conversations going, and he hasn’t ruled out coming back. But as of Tuesday, a deal didn’t sound close. “Does not seem likely to materialize in a deal at this point in time,” Seravalli reported.

This will be Perron’s second time reaching free agency in less than a year. He started the 2024-25 season with the Ottawa Senators after signing there the previous summer. Injuries slowed him through the first half, and the Senators shipped him back to Detroit at the trade deadline as the Red Wings tried to make a playoff push.

It didn’t work. Detroit collapsed down the stretch again, missing the postseason for the 10th straight year. Perron managed just three goals in 16 games after the trade. Not exactly the spark the front office hoped for.

Not his first rodeo in Detroit

Perron actually spent two seasons with the Red Wings from 2022 to 2024 before leaving for Ottawa. That first stint went better. He helped Detroit stay competitive and push for a playoff spot, even though they never got over the hump. He signed with the Senators in 2024 looking for a fresh start.

Now he’s 36 years old and heading into his 20th NHL season. He’s still got enough skill to help a team, but the injury history keeps piling up. The Red Wings have younger guys coming up and cap space to think about. Bringing back an aging winger who struggled down the stretch might not be the smartest play.

Perron has said he’s open to staying in Detroit, but the reality is that he’ll probably be wearing a different jersey when the puck drops next season. He’s not the only question mark for the Red Wings either. Dylan Larkin still wants out. Patrick Kane is a free agent and looks less likely to return by the day. Alex DeBrincat needs an extension if he’s sticking around.

So yeah, there’s a lot going on. Perron just happens to be another name in a long line of decisions that will define Detroit’s summer.