Like much of the last two months, let’s just ignore the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-2 thrashing by the Phoenix Coyotes last night. I don’t possess enough fingers to point them at all the culprits and characteristics that factored into another embarrassing home loss by the Western Conference’s worst team. The offense was atrocious when the puck wasn’t on David Perron’s stick, the defense was a comedy of errors, and the goaltending was depressingly typical. Any goodwill or momentum that had been built during the previous seven-game stretch was flushed away, and the Oilers once again proved to everyone why they’re incapable of our trust or respect.
I watch Oiler games alone, for the most part, because I don’t want to damage relationships by taking my frustration out on others. A debacle like last night’s makes me marvel at how a team like the Coyotes – short on financial resources, player payroll, fan support, stable ownership and a noticeable community presence – can continue to exceed expectations and remain competitive. It makes me wonder about the culpability of the sole link that has connected the last 15 years of Oilers hockey. But enough about Kevin Lowe, let’s move on to something positive. Like I said before, let’s just ignore the night’s events and move on.
Ignoring the night’s events and moving on is a piece of advice the Oilers seem to have taken to heart this season. The only problem being that they tend to do it in the second period of blowout losses. However, one player on the roster continually keeps fighting, long after his teammates have declared the war to be over. That’s why Perron gets my vote as not only the best Oilers forward today, but I firmly believe that during his 25 games wearing the oil drop he’s proven to be the franchise’s best forward since Doug Weight was (ironically) dealt to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2001.
Now, before you accuse me of trolling, bluffing, or simply losing my mind, let me explain what I mean. I’m not saying that Perron is the most talented forward the Oilers have had since the 2000-01 season, and I’m not saying he has the most upside. I wouldn’t say he’s the fastest or smartest, and doesn’t possess the best shot or softest hands. However, when you look at Oiler forwards who have come down the line, in my mind he’s far and away the best hockey player the Oilers have had since they wished Weight a fond farewell. Why? Perron is simply a hockey player.
David Perron isn’t a shoot-first sniper, slick-handed playmaker or minute-eating grinder. He isn’t a power play assassin, faceoff specialist, knuckle-chucking tough guy or utility forward. You can’t categorize him as a net-front presence, opponent-rattling pest or momentum-shifting energy player. No, Perron doesn’t slot into a potential-limiting role or fit some predetermined label. Like the best to play the game, he colors outside the lines and strays from the script as an honest, hard-nosed hockey player. If the Oilers had a few more Perrons on the roster, rather than their current assortment of guys who say “this is my job, that’s his” they would be a much better hockey team.
Perron’s well-rounded approach to the game is evident in his attitude as well. During the third period of last night’s loss (last reference, I promise), with the Oilers trailing 6-2, Perron was competing like the game was a scoreless tie. He was creating turnovers in the offensive zone, pouncing on loose pucks, battling for rebounds and generating chances. Perron is one of the few Oilers that doesn’t have a letter on his chest, but everyone on the team can look to him as an example of resiliency, determination and leadership. The Oilers have endured a lot of ass-kickings this season, but Perron never pouts and he’s never a passenger.
The numbers are indicative of Perron’s value to the club. Despite playing with a variety of linemates, on lines far from those filled by more heralded forwards who are playing with the security of massive, long-term contracts, Perron leads the Oilers in goals (11). He sits one point back of Jordan Eberle in scoring, and his -2 plus-minus is fairly impressive when you consider how horrid the Oilers’ goal differential – 75 for, 101 against – has been this season. Edmonton has been relegated to the basement of the Western Conference this season, sporting a putrid 9-18-2 record, and you have to shudder at the thought of how much worse things would be without Perron.
You might disagree with my assertion that Perron is the Oilers’ best forward since the club’s tenth NHL captain left town, but I haven’t seen a better one skate through the oil derrick during the last 12-plus seasons. Perron has a combination of skill and swagger, a mix of tenacity and temerity, that you wish would infect his teammates. We could debate the merits of Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth, marvel over the skill of Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, or even pay homage to those like Shawn Horcoff and Dustin Penner. However, in my mind Perron trumps them all as a hockey player, both for the skill he brings to the ice, and the relentlessness he shows once he’s on it.
[email protected]
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»