The Ottawa Senators are going to be without one of their most experienced voices in the locker room - and on the ice - for a significant stretch. Head coach Travis Green confirmed Thursday that veteran forward David Perron is expected to miss five to seven weeks due to a sports hernia that will require surgery.
This isn’t a new issue for Perron. According to Green, the 37-year-old winger had been playing through discomfort for some time before the decision was made to shut things down and address the injury properly. It’s a tough blow for a Senators team still trying to find its footing in a tight Eastern Conference race.
Through 49 games this season, Perron has posted 10 goals and 15 assists, totaling 25 points - production that reflects his continued ability to contribute offensively even in the latter stages of his career. Last season was more stop-and-start for the Sherbrooke, Quebec native, who suited up for just 43 games due to a mix of injuries and personal matters, finishing with 16 points (9G, 7A).
Perron signed a two-year, $8 million contract with Ottawa in July 2024, bringing a veteran presence to a young core that’s still learning how to win consistently. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Now in his 19th NHL campaign, Perron has carved out a reputation as a dependable top-six winger. Drafted 26th overall by the St.
Louis Blues back in 2007, he broke out in his sophomore season with a 50-point effort (15G, 35A) over 81 games. Since then, he’s worn the jersey of seven different teams - including two separate stints in St.
Louis - and has been a steady producer wherever he’s landed.
His most prolific year came in 2017-18 with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he racked up 66 points (16G, 50A) in just 70 games during the franchise’s inaugural season. But perhaps his most memorable contribution came as part of the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup run, where he played a key role in helping St. Louis capture its first championship.
For the Senators, Perron’s absence comes at a time when every point matters. The team is currently tied for last in the Atlantic Division with 53 points through 49 games, and they’re five points shy of the second wild card spot in the East. While that gap isn’t insurmountable, losing a player of Perron’s caliber - someone who brings both scoring touch and invaluable playoff experience - certainly complicates things.
Ottawa wraps up a three-game road swing on Saturday with a matchup against the Nashville Predators before heading to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes. With Perron out, the Senators will need others to step up - both on the scoresheet and in the room - if they’re going to stay in the hunt.