David Perron isn’t the type of player you’d normally associate with the penalty kill. Last season, Perron spent just over two minutes (2:02) on the PK split between his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks. Back in 2014-15, he was on the PK for just over a minute (1:03) split between the Edmonton Oilers and Penguins. So far in 2016-17, Perron has already spent over nine minutes (9:33) on the penalty kill and the role is one that he’s really enjoying.
Via the Post-Dispatch:
“I love it. It keeps your legs going. I think when you don’t get stuck out there, you stay on for 15, 20 seconds, it’s really keeping your legs moving, not sitting on the bench for three or four minutes. To me it’s a huge difference when you go back to five on five and I think the awareness factor of getting your stick in the right lanes, in the passing lane, getting your body in the shooting lane, I think that carries over to five on five and even other things, even for power play. It can show you some of the plays you can maybe work with the other guys to see if they’re going to work.”
Perron’s comments are beyond surprising considering most slick, offensive-minded skaters would dread any sort of significant time killing penalties where scoring chances are limited. So far, Perron’s new role has been a nice fit. He has done a great job disrupting the opponent’s attack while also possessing the skills to carry the puck out of dangerous areas within his own zone.
It may come down to maturity and a new opportunity.
“I’m older, so I’m more mature,” Perron said. “I think I never really got the chance to play PK back then. I like to think that I could have done it back then too. I think it’s a different scenario now. With 10 years in the league, you learn a lot, through all those years and through those different teams and organizations, sometimes winning, sometimes losing. I think you can learn from that.”
The Blues reportedly were honest with Perron when they signed him, telling him he’d have a role in both the power play and the penalty kill. Perron has jumped at the opportunity, proving that he can be effective on both units.
Perron’s largest number of short-handed minutes came back in 2010-11 when he had 41:55. It’s early, but he’s well on his way to surpassing that total in 2016-17.
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