David Perron has, by his standards, had a down year so far - he's only got two goals in 22 games and his shooting percentage is at an abysmal 3.8 percent, according to ESPN.
Just last year, his first in Edmonton, Perron managed 28 goals and 57 points. On average, he's close to being a 50 points-per-season player.
Perron sounds like just the kind of buy-low option a team like the Pittsburgh Penguins would, no doubt, love to pair with Evgeni Malkin on the second line, according to Adam Gretz of CBSSports.com.
"The Penguins are in desperate need for some winger help after losing Pascal Dupuis for the remainder of the season due to a blood clot. Even before the loss of Dupuis the team was still short a legitimate top-six winger," Gertz wrote. "As it stands right now, they are playing Nick Spaling and Blake Comeau alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on their top-two lines, which isn't something they're going to want to do deep into the regular season and into the playoffs."
There has been talk for weeks that the Penguins are interested in adding a top-tier forward and Perron would fit that bill pretty well. Yes, he's had a slow start to this season, but it's hard to envision anyone flourishing in the pit of despair that has become the Edmonton Oilers organization.
Put him on the top line with Crosby or the second unit with Malkin and sit back and watch the points seemingly rack themselves up.
Gretz notes that a player like third-line center Brandon Sutter could be offered as a potential trade chip to the Oilers. Sutter has six goals and five assists in 20 games this season, per Hockey-Reference.com. He's an energetic and gritty, but limited, player.
Add in the recent lower-body injury to youngster Beau Bennett - the only consistent thing about his career so far - and a potential trade for Perron makes a whole lot of sense for Pittsburgh.
