When the Vegas Golden Knights made the Stanley Cup Final in 2018, nobody saw it coming. An expansion team playing in the championship round was unheard of, especially in its first season. The Golden Knights had many anonymous players on their team (sans Marc-Andre Fleury) including William Karlsson and David Perron. Speaking of which, let's look at what the latter did with Vegas.
Perron was a one-of-a-kind player with the team, setting up countless scoring opportunities for his teammates. His contributions helped Vegas defeat teams such as the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings, capping off a Cinderella story of epic proportions. Who would've seen this group of "Misfits" coming? Not many people.
That's why fans should look at Perron's time with the Golden Knights positively. He was essential to their early success, running the offense efficiently. He made the power play much better, notching 17 assists in his lone season. He made the unit much stronger, especially for a team that has never had a strong power play.
Therefore, let's look back on the "Misfit's" time with Vegas. How did he get on the team in the first place? What happened to him after his tenure with the Golden Knights? Here's a look back at Perron's time in Sin City and how he's doing as an NHL player now.
How David Perron joined the Vegas Golden Knights
The 2017 Expansion Draft had notable names selected, including Jonathan Marchessault (eighth), William Karlsson (27th), and Marc-Andre Fleury (29th). However, David Perron was another noteworthy selection in the mix, coming in at 21st overall. He was selected from the St. Louis Blues, where he would eventually rejoin the team down the road.
But in his lone season (2017-18) with the Vegas Golden Knights, Perron had 50 assists. That's a franchise record for a single season, although there have been names that have come close. Names like Chandler Stephenson (49 in 2022-23) and Marchessault (48 in 2017-18) have come within striking distance of the former "Misfit".
Perron also scored 16 goals that season, making him into a reliable goal-scorer for Vegas. He also scored a goal and eight assists during the postseason, leading the charge towards the Stanley Cup Final. While the former St. Louis Blue (two-time Blue, for that matter) only lasted one season with the Golden Knights, he was paramount to the team winning the Pacific Division and getting to the championship round in its inaugural season.
Where is David Perron now?
After spending his lone season with the Vegas Golden Knights, David Perron returned to St. Louis for another four years. He became a reliable offensive piece for the team, scoring 94 goals and 127 assists during his third stint. He joined the Detroit Red Wings in 2022, playing two seasons with the "Original Six" franchise. Here, he scored 41 goals and 62 assists during his tenure, adding offense to a young Red Wings team.
He signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Ottawa Senators this past July. He'll join Michael Amadio, a fellow former Golden Knights, on the squad as the franchise hopes to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. However, they'll have an uphill battle with four playoff teams from last season and two contenders in Detroit and Buffalo.
While Perron fulfilled his dream of winning the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2018-19, his impact on the Golden Knights will never be forgotten. The Stanley Cup run wouldn't have happened without his contributions, especially with a new team figuring everything out. One can say he's an essential part of Vegas hockey history, where his impact is felt throughout T-Mobile Arena.