BenFred: Blues can’t afford to let Perron go into free agency without a fight

They say if you love something, let it go and see if it returns.

Two times David Perron has been let go by the Blues, once via trade (2013) and another due to the team leaving him unprotected in the expansion draft (2017). Two times, he’s returned. In fact, Perron has never signed a contract with a team not named the Blues. His previous experiences as a draft-eligible prospect or free agent have ended the same way. Signing a deal with the Blues.

Perron is true Blue. He’s a champion. He’s Playoff Perron. And he could be gone again after this postseason ends. Hopefully not. If there was any doubt about how much the Blues need him, this in-progress postseason should have settled it.

Where would the Blues be this postseason without Perron?

Entering Saturday’s Game 3 of this second-round series against Colorado, Perron was tied for fifth in the NHL in postseason points (11). His seven goals trailed only Jake Guentzel’s eight. Perron’s hat trick in the Blues’ first first-round game against Minnesota helped the Blues steal one on enemy ice. His two-goal game against the Wild in Game 4 of that series helped send Minnesota to the golf course. His two-goal game against Colorado in Game 2 of this series introduced the Avalanche to their first taste of defeat in this postseason.

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Don’t forget, Perron was at home last year during the playoffs, when the Blues got swept out of the bracket by this Colorado team. While Colorado was punching goals past goalie Jordan Binnington, Perron was trying to keep from punching holes in his basement after testing positive for COVID. It’s not a coincidence the Blues have showed more mettle in this rematch. Playing in front of packed stadiums is one difference. Playing with Perron is another.

“He’s always been a big-game player,” teammate Robert Thomas said. “You always see the best of him when everything is on the line. When we needed him most here in the playoffs, he has stepped up and scored huge goals for us in the power play and on five-on-five … It’s the same kind of mindset with Binner (goalie Jordan Binnington). When everything is out there and on the line, he finds a way to step up. He’s been huge for us so far.”

No one should be surprised. Perron had a great regular season after shaking off a pesky concussion, scoring the second-highest amount of regular-season goals (27) of his career in season No. 15. His stellar play has come at a great time for the Blues but also for Perron, who is playing in the fourth and final year of his expiring contract. He’s headed toward being an unrestricted free agent with a healthy head of steam. Gulp.

I’m going to break my own rule here. During the furious fretting about goalie Ville Husso’s future with the Blues toward the end of the regular season, I was the one saying you don’t have to sort this stuff out until after the playoffs end. And look what happened. Jordan Binnington returned to form when it matters most. At least until Colorado knocked him out of his net in Saturday’s first period.

Husso can and should be paid handsomely for the deserved chance to prove he can be another team’s No. 1. But the Blues can and should move confidently forward with Binnington and hope Charlie Lindgren can handle the Husso role. That approach could free up some money for Perron.

Yes, Perron is 33. Yes, it’s fair to worry about the concussion issue. Yes, the Blues are deep at forward and must be mindful of their annual dance with the salary cap. But the Blues want to be chasing a championship next season, too, and they don’t have a forward like Perron if he departs. His puck play and wicked shot are not fading with age. His hockey intelligence is unmatched. Perron’s a prime-time player. The postseason is his playground. His confidence? It’s contagious.

All of the Blues’ young forwards — at least the ones who pay attention — are better because of playing with Perron. If captain Ryan O’Reilly has become the best real-time example of work ethic coach Craig Berube can point toward, Perron has become the best real-time example of red-lining Berube’s often-referenced compete level.

“He’s a highly competitive guy,” Berube said. “I would say his competitiveness is up there with anybody, for sure. Just when you watch him on pucks and stuff, just how competitive he is, one-on-one with the puck, there are not many better to be honest with you. He’s a highly competitive person. He wants to do well. He wants the team to do well. More than anything from David that’s what I get out of him. A highly competitive person.”

“Guys watch people,” Berube added. “Players look at individuals, whether it’s in practice or in games, how they carry themselves, what they do, their work ethic, all that stuff. I think it rubs off. Guys see Ryan O’Reilly, the things he does. Not everybody. Certain guys. They notice how hard he works, how late he stays on the ice. If you’re a player and you’re watching that, then you understand what it takes to be as good as he is. Certain guys will see that and take some of that and put it in their life. Understand how hard you have to work to be a good player. From a competitive standpoint, when you see a guy compete as hard as David Perron, and you’re watching him, it’s probably going to help you at some point.”

Hopefully it keeps helping the Blues.

Perron and Blues general manager Doug Armstrong have not yet been able to work out an agreement about the forward’s future. There is a lot of mutual respect shared between the two. It would be mutually beneficial to both player and team to stick together. Easier said than done, I know. Armstrong won’t get emotional. Perron could have bigger offers elsewhere. But the Blues can afford to compete for Perron, a true Blue who always competes, especially in the postseason.

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