Perron Set To Return; Cheechoo Demoted

    November 4th, 2010 was a day to forget for St. Louis Blues young star David Perron. He was left with a concussion that forced him to miss the remaining 72 games on the schedule after a devastating hit from San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton as Thornton was exiting the penalty box. Thornton was assessed a 5 minute major and a two game suspension for the infraction. Today marks Perron's first step to playing again as he is slated rejoin his teammates at camp. While he isn't quite ready to return to heavy workouts and activity, his presence alone should be a huge boost to the organization.

    The 26th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft has shown consistent growth and the ability to put up 50 point seasons with a game based on a nice balance of finesse, grit, and speed. Perron has posted 131 points in 235 NHL contests including 7 points that he put up during the first 10 games of the 2010-11 season before being sidelined. Had Perron kept his pace, his season would have concluded with a career high in 41 goals that would have put him tied for fourth place in goal scoring with Daniel Sedin along with 57 points to match his sweater number. The Blues organization can only hope he is able to rebound from his injuries to remain a key ingredient to future success, but head coach Davis Payne isn't about to rush his man back to the game.

"It's going to be a comfort standpoint," Payne said. "Where his body left him vs. where he is now. How quickly as a young guy he's able to put that strength back in place. We've got a lot of data and benchmarks, we'll be able to monitor him and be able to say just how close to where he left he is (now). Then it's going to be a feel level on the ice, a conditioning level on the ice -- and then there's going to be comfort level with contact."

    Perron's skill set would pencil in nicely with a youthful and revamped Blues roster that includes the likes of newly appointed captain David Backes, Patrik Berglund, TJ Oshie, Chris Stewart, Andy McDonald, Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Jaroslav Halak. To add veteran leadership and poise, GM Doug Armstrong brought in veterans Jamie Langenbrunner, Jason Arnott, and decided to take a small gamble on one time Rocket Richard winner and 56 goal scorer Jonathan Cheechoo by signing him to two-way deal for one year.

    Armstrong and Cheechoo had hopes of the sniper regaining his touch to soften the blow of Perron potentially not being able to play, but that has come to an end. Cheechoo was sent down to AHL affiliate Peoria after failing to impress, as has been his story recently while not being able to catch on in multiple tryout scenarios. The Blues were smart to ink him to a two-way deal as he has not completely lost his touch. Cheechoo posted 18 goals and 29 assists, good for 47 points in 55 games last season with Worcester of the AHL. His lack of foot speed and grit that he once possessed seem to be the direct reason for his downfall on the largest stage of pro hockey. With injuries occurring within every pro sports organization, look for Cheechoo to be among the first called up as a fill in if he provides a good showing in the minors. Seeing as St. Louis has provided him with his best opportunity in recent memory, if he fails to make the best of it, the Cheechoo train could very well had made its final boarding call.

-Dustin Lundberg