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Perron has more to learn, Blues say
By Jeremy Rutherford
ST. LOUIS
02/28/2008
One of the first individuals to arrive in the Blues' press box on game nights is not a reporter. He's not an elevator operator, security guard or public relations director.
Walking across the recently vacuumed carpet, sitting alone in a chair, listening to his iPod, is one of the future faces of the Blues.
David Perron is unsettled by the fact that he's not suiting up with the rest of his teammates, and though he's polite, the onslaught of questions as to why he's not in the lineup becomes bothersome. In his French-Canadian accent, the 19-year-old forward does his best to explain an answer of which even he is not sure.
With 11 goals on 46 shots in his rookie season, Perron is not alone in wondering why his skills wouldn't help a club that is ranked 29th in the NHL with 160 goals.
The Blues contend the answer is not that simple.
"I understand the fans' point of view because we're starving for goals and he's a kid that's got some offensive flair," Blues President John Davidson said. "But people that watch the team, they aren't privy to what goes on in a locker room. It's easy for those people to get frustrated and I appreciate that. If I were in that position, I'd be frustrated, too.
"But I know it's a process with this kid. We're trying as an organization to make our team a great team long term. That includes working with young players to make them fit that mold. In my opinion, David's like a young colt that's frisky, running around. But he's got to learn some structure.
"We could bow to public pressure and put him in for every game. But I don't know if that's the right thing right now. You don't just learn by playing games."
Blues coach Andy Murray, who consults with Davidson when making out the lineup, says, "There's a code of conduct that has to be learned to be a professional. And David isn't quite there yet."
That code requires being at practice on time, giving his entire attention to drills, treating teammates with respect and understanding nuances of the game on and off the ice.
Perron admits he's guilty of some infractions. At times this season, he's been seen flailing his arms in frustration after a line partner fails to handle a pass.
"You're going to go like this,"Murray
Perron thinks a minute before explaining himself.
"I'm so passionate about the game," Perron said. "Even in practices, you can notice if I shoot and don't score, I get mad at myself. The only reason I have to explain this is I'm so passionate about hockey. I'm not (upset) at my teammates. But it's something me and JD and Larry (Pleau) talk about from time to time. It needs to be better."
Early in Sunday's 2-0 loss toPhoenix
"He told me to stay in there when something happens like that and take one guy," Perron said. "I said, 'Walter, you're right, I probably made a mistake. But the referee took me out of the scrum and said if I get back in there, I'll probably be out of the game.'
"But I will not make these mistakes anymore. I'll learn from the mistakes."
Davidson says that Perron "is a good kid. I don't want anybody out there to even consider the fact that he's not a good kid. He's a great kid. But he's got to learn.
"We don't want to wait until he's 27 to try to change his ways. Do it now. We're going to maybe pay a price with a couple of goals not being scored. But you know what? In the long run, he's going to be a better player and a better person and a better teammate for it. He's got to be broken. That's where we're coming from."
The Blues projected before the season that Perron would play roughly 50 games. He's played 43 to date and the team is 19-17-7 with him in the lineup.
Perron has sat out four of the last five games, drawing the ire of fans. Worse yet, the team has lost four straight games and scored just three goals on 113 shots in that stretch.
"It's tempting (to put Perron in the lineup)," Davidson admitted. "When we took over this job, we stated that we might make some wrong decisions. But we said we're going to make decisions trying to do the right thing for this team long term. And this is what's best long term."
Still, Perron thinks he could be better with more ice time. He only has to look at fellow rookie Erik Johnson, who has enjoyed increased minutes.
"E.J. has gotten so much better in the last 10 games … it's unbelievable," Perron said. "I'm kind of thinking what if it was me who gets a little bit more ice time. I think I would improve this way also."
Murray
Asked if he thought he had a good relationship with Perron, Murray said: "Yes … and if he said anything different, I'd be disappointed."
Perron said: "I've got confidence in Andy. I don't think he wants me to be a bad player in five years. I think he's doing this for my best, in his eyes. We'll see later if it was the best."
By Jeremy Rutherford
One of the first individuals to arrive in the Blues' press box on game nights is not a reporter. He's not an elevator operator, security guard or public relations director.
Walking across the recently vacuumed carpet, sitting alone in a chair, listening to his iPod, is one of the future faces of the Blues.
David Perron is unsettled by the fact that he's not suiting up with the rest of his teammates, and though he's polite, the onslaught of questions as to why he's not in the lineup becomes bothersome. In his French-Canadian accent, the 19-year-old forward does his best to explain an answer of which even he is not sure.
With 11 goals on 46 shots in his rookie season, Perron is not alone in wondering why his skills wouldn't help a club that is ranked 29th in the NHL with 160 goals.
The Blues contend the answer is not that simple.
"I understand the fans' point of view because we're starving for goals and he's a kid that's got some offensive flair," Blues President John Davidson said. "But people that watch the team, they aren't privy to what goes on in a locker room. It's easy for those people to get frustrated and I appreciate that. If I were in that position, I'd be frustrated, too.
"But I know it's a process with this kid. We're trying as an organization to make our team a great team long term. That includes working with young players to make them fit that mold. In my opinion, David's like a young colt that's frisky, running around. But he's got to learn some structure.
"We could bow to public pressure and put him in for every game. But I don't know if that's the right thing right now. You don't just learn by playing games."
Blues coach Andy Murray, who consults with Davidson when making out the lineup, says, "There's a code of conduct that has to be learned to be a professional. And David isn't quite there yet."
That code requires being at practice on time, giving his entire attention to drills, treating teammates with respect and understanding nuances of the game on and off the ice.
Perron admits he's guilty of some infractions. At times this season, he's been seen flailing his arms in frustration after a line partner fails to handle a pass.
"You're going to go like this,"
Perron thinks a minute before explaining himself.
"I'm so passionate about the game," Perron said. "Even in practices, you can notice if I shoot and don't score, I get mad at myself. The only reason I have to explain this is I'm so passionate about hockey. I'm not (upset) at my teammates. But it's something me and JD and Larry (Pleau) talk about from time to time. It needs to be better."
Early in Sunday's 2-0 loss to
"He told me to stay in there when something happens like that and take one guy," Perron said. "I said, 'Walter, you're right, I probably made a mistake. But the referee took me out of the scrum and said if I get back in there, I'll probably be out of the game.'
"But I will not make these mistakes anymore. I'll learn from the mistakes."
Davidson says that Perron "is a good kid. I don't want anybody out there to even consider the fact that he's not a good kid. He's a great kid. But he's got to learn.
"We don't want to wait until he's 27 to try to change his ways. Do it now. We're going to maybe pay a price with a couple of goals not being scored. But you know what? In the long run, he's going to be a better player and a better person and a better teammate for it. He's got to be broken. That's where we're coming from."
The Blues projected before the season that Perron would play roughly 50 games. He's played 43 to date and the team is 19-17-7 with him in the lineup.
Perron has sat out four of the last five games, drawing the ire of fans. Worse yet, the team has lost four straight games and scored just three goals on 113 shots in that stretch.
"It's tempting (to put Perron in the lineup)," Davidson admitted. "When we took over this job, we stated that we might make some wrong decisions. But we said we're going to make decisions trying to do the right thing for this team long term. And this is what's best long term."
Still, Perron thinks he could be better with more ice time. He only has to look at fellow rookie Erik Johnson, who has enjoyed increased minutes.
"E.J. has gotten so much better in the last 10 games … it's unbelievable," Perron said. "I'm kind of thinking what if it was me who gets a little bit more ice time. I think I would improve this way also."
Asked if he thought he had a good relationship with Perron, Murray said: "Yes … and if he said anything different, I'd be disappointed."
Perron said: "I've got confidence in Andy. I don't think he wants me to be a bad player in five years. I think he's doing this for my best, in his eyes. We'll see later if it was the best."
The reasons for Perron’s recent benching has been alluded to by both John Davidson and Andy Murray in various radio interviews, but Kelly Chase got a little more explicit and to the point during last night’s post-game show.
Everyone has heard, I’m sure, about Perron’s defensive shortcomings. However, Chase revealed, if I understood correctly (and I think I did), that this is not because of his rookie growing pains or need to learn. Apparently, Perron is not attempting to do what he is told and ignoring some of his duties. Said another way, it appears he has some pre-Dallas Brett Hull tendencies when it comes to responsibility in the defensive zone (my words not Chase’s).
Apparently, Perron’s attitude towards his defensive responsibilities is not only ticking off the coaching staff, but veteran players as well. Chase explained thatMurray
To summarize, it is an attitude problem, not an intolerance of rookie mistakes.
Everyone has heard, I’m sure, about Perron’s defensive shortcomings. However, Chase revealed, if I understood correctly (and I think I did), that this is not because of his rookie growing pains or need to learn. Apparently, Perron is not attempting to do what he is told and ignoring some of his duties. Said another way, it appears he has some pre-Dallas Brett Hull tendencies when it comes to responsibility in the defensive zone (my words not Chase’s).
Apparently, Perron’s attitude towards his defensive responsibilities is not only ticking off the coaching staff, but veteran players as well. Chase explained that
To summarize, it is an attitude problem, not an intolerance of rookie mistakes.
From Benie's Bits this morning:
Now I know why rookie Perron doesn't play much for the Blues: He needs to recover from injuries every time coach
Moon
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