18 seconds after scoring on a backhander, Detroit Red Wings rookie Emmitt Finnie earned a face-off win, checked Calgary Flames defenseman Olli Maata and caused a turnover. Gliding into scoring position, newcomer David Perron received the cross-ice pass, but failed to convert Finnie's flash and beat Flames goalie Dustin Wolf’s flailing effort.
Now, more than ever, the Red Wings need Perron to connect.
Acquired on the eve of the March 6 trade deadline, Perron returned to the Red Wings after spending most of the past two seasons with the Ottawa Senators. General manager Steve Yzerman wanted to give the Red Wings an enhanced locker-room presence and the top-six forward group another scoring threat. With the postseason in doubt and key players injured, the team needs sustained depth production.
"We got some really strong performances from some guys that elevated their games, and we're going to continue to need that to have success," coach Todd McLellan said, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. “So you can sense a concern in the locker room and around the team.”
Why secondary #NHL scoring will be so important as #RedWings on Monday opened a 4-game homestand … pic.twitter.com/mwe2kqJXvz
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) March 17, 2026
Detroit Red Wings need David Perron’s offense
Yzerman relinquished a conditional 2026 fourth-round draft pick for Perron, hoping the 2007 No. 26 overall draft pick rediscovers his early-career scoring touch. A 20-goal scorer seven times, Perron connected 41 times in 156 games in two seasons with the Red Wings from 2022-2024. During his brief stint with the Ottawa Senators, he amassed just 19 goals.
Still, Yzerman, despite his sports hernia injury in January, Yzerman saw him as a great fit for the team.
Recovered, Perron made a surprise appearance Saturday, dressing for the 3-2 overtime loss to the host Dallas Stars, ending a four-game road trip highlighted by just one win. He provided one shot and two hits. During Monday’s 5-2 victory over the visiting Flames, he produced two shots and three hits but no points.
Yzerman traded for Perron for his leadership qualities. But, with injuries amassing, the 19-year veteran may need to bridge the team’s offensive production until the roster is reinforced. Rookie right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard remains day-to-day. In place of these players, McLellan continues to entrust journeymen like Sheldon Dries with secondary scoring.
“I think the focus is just about getting the job done in here and not focusing on anybody else," forward Patrick Kane said in a post-game press conference.
Kane scored twice against the Flames, ending a mini-slump in which the highest-scoring American in league history managed just one marker in seven outings. The offensively challenged Red Wings managed just two wins during that stretch.
“We just have to make sure we bring it every night,” Kane said.
Offense continues to be a concern. Monday’s five goals marked the first time they reached that mark since Jan. 24. They collected 10 goals in their previous five matches.
"It's an important time, and it's tough when you see some of your best players go down," Kane said.
Out of the playoffs since 2016, the Red Wings have slumped down the stretch of the past four seasons, entering Monday 26-39-9 during games in March and April.
Perron's presence could help alter the recent trend by recapturing his past goal-scoring touch. The Red Wings (37-23-8) entered Tuesday as the Eastern Conference's top wild-card club, one point ahead of the Boston Bruins. They'll next face the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow in a key Atlantic Division matchup at home.
"There's a lot of desperation,” Kane said. “We pretty much control our own destiny with the way we can play and the way we can finish. I think we have 14 games left, so it's going to be tight all the way to the end."