David Perron was traded to the Detroit Red Wings by the Ottawa Senators on Thursday for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The 37-year-old forward is in the final season of a two-year, $8 million contract ($4 million average annual value) he signed with the Senators on July 1, 2024, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Perron has 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 49 games this season. He has not played since Jan. 20 because of a sports hernia.
"It could not have been a better spot, to be honest with you," Perron said Saturday after practicing in a noncontact jersey. "I'm excited. I really enjoyed living here and the guys and the whole staff, so it's really exciting for me to get this opportunity to play those meaningful games when I get back."
This will be Perron's second stint with Detroit. He had 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists) in 82 games with them in 2022-23, and 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 2023-24 before opting to sign with Ottawa.
"Pretty seamless walking in. The guys are very welcoming, and it's exciting," Perron said . "They're in a good spot too. They've done a hell of a job to put themselves in this situation, and we want to keep improving on it."
The Red Wings (35-21-7) are third in the Atlantic Division. They are attempting to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2015-16.
Perron will not play when Detroit visits the New Jersey Devils on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN), but says he could return in two weeks.
"Right now that's kind of what we're shooting for, and we'll see," he said. "We're going day by day and pushing a little more every time, and see where it goes."
Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 26) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Perron has 809 points (329 goals, 480 assists) in 1,223 regular-season games for the Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Red Wings and Senators. He also has 64 points (26 goals, 38 assists) in 110 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including winning the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019.
The Senators (30-22-9) are sixth in the Atlantic, four points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.
NHL.com columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika contributed to this report
