Adding experience: David Perron ready to “take advantage” of opportunity with Stars

The journey of a professional athlete can be downright cinematic.

And nobody knows that better than David Perron these days.

The veteran of 1,239 NHL games was hoping he still had another year left in him, but at 38, no teams came calling this summer. So he worked hard at his home in Quebec and used his spare time to help coach his son’s hockey team, curiously watching as the new 84-game NHL campaign got up and running.

And just when it looked like the sun might be setting, Perron got a call from Stars GM Jim Nill. They agreed on a one-year contract for $850,000, and Perron was on the practice ice with his new teammates Monday morning in Dallas.

“I’m just very grateful, that’s all I can say,” Perron told reporters about his chance to join a contender and add to his 110 career playoff games. “You start thinking that might be it, but now that I’m here I’m hoping there’s a slingshot effect of the excitement and the gratefulness of being here.”

Perron was both funny and self-deprecating about his age and his ability to jump on a speeding train without the help of training camp or preseason. But in the genuine concern he was expressing, there was a genuine desire to help his new team win.

“It’s a really good hockey team and I’m really excited to be here,” Perron said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to come in and pull on the rope with the guys.”

Perron becomes the oldest player on the roster, exceeding Jamie Benn (37), Tyler Myers (36), Matt Duchene (35), Casey DeSmith (35) and Tyler Seguin (34). But in doing so, he adds some more glue to a group that has found a way to blend with the 20-something core that is blossoming in Victory Green. With Roope Hintz (29), Miro Heiskanen (27), Jake Oettinger (27), Jason Robertson (27), Thomas Harley (25) and Wyatt Johnston (23) firmly in their prime, the veteran group can play a complementary role and help push Dallas in the right direction.

Perron played 11 seasons with the St. Louis Blues, so he has faced the Stars in battle on numerous occasions (47 in the regular season alone). He said he has a lot of respect for players like Benn and Seguin).

“Central Division…I feel comfortable here,” he said, noting that Dallas has been one of his favorite places to play.

As for Benn and Seguin, he said both contacted him after the free agent signing was announced and that he looks forward to being a part of their group.

“The leadership is great, especially those two,” Perron said. “The way they have brought guys along here, all of the core guys with them, it’s really impressive. I’m looking forward to getting to know them more.”

The Stars are also looking forward to getting to know Perron. The versatile winger has 332 goals and 480 assists in his career. Last season, splitting time with Ottawa and Detroit, he had 13 goals and 15 assists in 65 games.

“He seems to fit what we’re doing,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “He’s really good on the walls, he’s good defensively, he’s got hockey IQ. He’s competitive, and he’s got a little bit of that antagonist quality, too.”

Gulutzan said he will allow Perron time to take a few practices before he slots into the lineup for a game. And while Perron understands the aging arch of an athlete, he is hoping there still is a chance to show those qualities to Stars fans.

“It’s been a long summer…very long,” Perron said. “It is what it is, it’s a good league and I’m very lucky to be here. I will do everything I can to take advantage of this situation. Open mind, open heart, work as hard as I can to do my part.”

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on X @MikeHeika.