The Dallas Stars are expected to bring in veteran forward David Perron on a one-year deal that would mark his 20th season in the NHL, according to reports from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
The agreement, which has not yet been confirmed by the team, is a pro-rated league-minimum contract worth $850,000, as reported by Frank Seravalli.
For the 38-year-old winger from Sherbrooke, Quebec, the move offers a chance to continue a career that has already spanned more than 1,200 regular-season games and produced 332 goals and 812 points.
Perron spent much of the summer unsigned while seeking a fit that worked for both his game and his family.
His agent, Allan Walsh, told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic earlier in October that Perron was “actively looking for the right situation” and remained committed to playing this season.
After splitting the 2025-26 campaign between the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings, where he totaled 13 goals and 28 points in 65 games, he stayed ready in case an opportunity emerged.
His production with Ottawa was steady before a midseason trade sent him back to Detroit, where he managed only three points in 16 games.
Dallas is turning to the veteran at a moment when its offense needs reinforcement. Through seven games the Stars are averaging just 2.14 goals per game, a figure that ranks near the bottom of the league.
The situation grew more pressing when Matt Duchene underwent surgery for a core injury and was ruled out for roughly three months.
Other forwards, including Wyatt Johnston and Oskar Back, have also been listed as day-to-day.
Perron is not a direct replacement for Duchene’s production, but he brings experience that has included a Stanley Cup championship with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, when he contributed 46 points in the regular season and 16 more in the playoffs.
Throughout his career Perron has shown an ability to contribute on scoring lines and the power play for contending clubs, even as his role has shifted in recent seasons.
He has played for seven different organizations, with multiple stints in St. Louis and Detroit, and he was selected to the All-Star Game in 2020.
While he is no longer the 20-goal, 50-point player he once was, his track record suggests he can still provide secondary scoring and veteran presence on a team with championship aspirations.
For the Stars, the low-cost addition represents a practical way to address an immediate need without significant long-term commitment.
Whether the deal is finalized in the coming days or not, Perron’s pursuit of a 20th NHL season appears close to resolution in Texas.
