Blues trade David Perron to Oilers, for Magnus Paajarvi

The St. Louis Blues have traded left winger David Perron to the Edmonton Oilers for left winger Magnus Paajarvi and a 2nd round pick in the 2014 NHL draft. Perron, 25, was drafted by the Blues in the first round of the NHL draft in 2007 (26th overall). He's played six seasons in the NHL for the Blues and played in 340 games, scoring 84 goals, 114 assists, with 198 points, achieving a plus 45. He's also played 19 playoff games, scoring 2 goals, 7 assists, with 9 points, receiving a minus 4. His best season points wise came in his 2nd NHL season playing in 81 games, and finishing with 15 goals and 35 assists (that's good for a total of 50 points).

During Perron's fourth season, Joe Thornton gave him a hit to the head. Even though Perron was able to come back and play the rest of the game, he later got a concussion from the hit. Perron ended up missing the rest of the season, and the total of games Perron missed was 97 games total. Thornton was only suspended for two games. Since then, Perron seems to play like he's scared that he'll get another concussion. He also tends to think he's Wayne Gretzky at times, as in he'll think he can do almost everything himself. But, hockey is a team sport. He should pass the puck more, and not try to do everything himself. He seems to get into trouble a lot of the time when he does that.

Does Perron still have the potential to be a good player? Yes. The thing is that he pretty much needed a wake-up call, to notice that he has great talent if he learns to use his talent and become a better player. The Oilers have lots of talented players on their team. So, that could help Perron become a better player. If he doesn't do that I'm not sure how long he'll stay in the NHL. I like Perron, but he needs to improve. It wasn't going to happen on the Blues, pretty much because, he doesn't fit current Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock's system. I hope Perron learns how to become the player that he wants to become on the Oilers.

Who is Magnus Paajarvi might you ask? Paajarvi was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2009 NHL draft (10th overall). Paajarvi, 22, has played three seasons in the NHL. His best season was in the rookie season (2010-2011). In that reason he played 80 games, scoring 15 goals, 19 assists, with 34 points, receiving a minus 13. He later fell off after his rookie season, due to not doing well. Last season, he improved his game somewhat. I think lots of that was playing in the AHL for part of the season, due to the NHL lockout. While, in the AHL he figured out how to use his speed and size.

Is there a clear winner in the deal as of right now? If I had to choose right now, I'd say no. Because, both players needed a change. So, as of right now it's a win-win for both Perron and Paajarvi. It might take a season or two too see which team won the trade. I hope both players end up improving, both of them have the potential in them to become better players.