Shortly after signing a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues, David Perron admitted that it would have been a dream to play with the Montreal Canadiens but that he missed playing in the city of St. Louis. He stated he was excited to have another chance with the Blues and hopes to have a more successful run in his second attempt with the club.
Perron’s answers were pretty honest and genuine, but a recent interview with RDS (which was translated by Habs Eyes on the Prize) detail Perron being even more direct while openly admitting money was a big factor too.
“My heart was talking a lot, and it came close. There would have been a lot of money left on the table, and I couldn’t really take that chance, so it was for that I chose St. Louis.”
No one is going to blame Perron for taking the offer with more money (honestly, who wouldn’t?), but it is surprising to hear him talking about his decision so bluntly. Players in every sport spin their answers even when it’s obvious that money is the root of the decision.
At 28, Perron is wisely trying to put himself in a position where he can boost his future earnings. Considering a player’s career can end in an instant and collecting disability can be a minefield (just ask Aaron Rome who is suing the NHL), why not take the largest offer available?
You’ve really got to wonder what the Canadiens offered if passing on the Blues’ offer of $3.75 million a season would have left a lot of money on the table.
