By Andrew Allsman| Posted: November 18th, 2011| Contact
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| Photo by TSNPhotography |
David Perron takes the next step in returning to the Blues lineup, and its a big one.
I can always tell when big news is reported concerning the Blues, by looking at my phone after school. Usually if there is big news, I have 40+ twitter messages, and so when I looked at my phone, and read the first message it was confirmed that something big had taken place in Blues hockey.
F David Perron has been "cleared for contact" and the next step to returning to the lineup has been taken.
Perron has been improving, and hasn't experienced any major setbacks since he started practicing with the team nearly a month ago.
“I feel good,” Perron said. “I feel like it was time to take that step. It's just another step forward and there's still more steps to go. But it felt good to be just another player instead of being the guy you can't do anything with.
“I'm a long way from where I was when I started skating. There's still a ways to go, but I feel pretty good. I'm going to get some bumps and see how I react to that and keep moving.”
It is apparent that Perron is feeling better, but just because is "cleared for contact" doesn't necessarily mean he's close to returning because until he takes that first hit, its hard to know how close he really is. Penguin's star: Sidney Crosby is a prime example, as he was cleared almost 2 months ago for contact, and still hasn't returned to a real game.
In all honesty, it will be up to Perron when he returns as made clear by GM Doug Armstrong.
Ken Hitchcock is excited by this news and knows how dangerous Perron can be
“It's nice news for him, nice news for the team,” Hitchcock said. “It's the next step and then, obviously, the final step is 'cleared to play.' We're not there yet, but I'm excited to see him as a full participant.
“I knew how good he was before, a very good player, a very dangerous player offensively, really smart with the puck. So I'm curious to see how he looks when we start practicing. He can go on a line now in pregame skates and in practice, so it's a good sign.”
Perron could be back very soon, but to be cleared to play, he will have to take some hits just as he would in a game, and experience no major side effects. Hopefully Perron will be back with the Blues soon, but until he takes some hits in practice it is impossible to set a timetable for his return.
Quotes from stltoday article
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