Perron Ruled Out for Start of Training Camp
After a meeting on Monday, Blues GM Doug Armstrong has come to the conclusion that David Perron is not ready to engage in the necessary workouts required to be ready for training camp next month.
Perron has been sidelined since November 4th following an open-ice collision with San Jose forward Joe Thornton. He missed the remaining 72 games of the season.
At this stage of the summer, it would be unrealistic to expect Perron to be ready for camp considering he hasn’t lifted weights or performed normal NHL strength training since the injury occurred. He’ll need to get to the point where he can pass his vo2 testing along with his strength testing before he’s cleared to get back on the ice and get his on-ice skills back to NHL standards.
The on-ice portion of his rehab should be the least of anyone’s concerns as he is naturally gifted with world class ability. He’s also a determined worker who has an unparalleled passion for the game of hockey.
As Armstrong explained in a phone conversation early this morning, Perron is still not symptom free and has yet to take his workouts beyond basic light exercises. He’ll need an unspecified amount of time to get cleared and ramp up his exercise program.
Armstrong tells me he along with the medical experts believe Perron will play NHL hockey this season. No date has been set for a return but it’s obvious he won’t be ready for the start of camp or the regular season.
The Blues prepared themselves this summer by adding right winger Jamie Langenbrunner to the mix. He along with Jason Arnott give the Blues some depth to help overcome the absence of a productive player like Perron.
I asked Armstrong how he would have reacted if he were told last November that Perron would still be sidelined 10 months later…”I’d be shocked”.
In other news, several members of the Blues organization will head to Joplin, Missouri on Thursday to help aid the victims of a recent tornado that devastated the area.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
strickland.andy@gmail.com
Rewind
Torres Catches Stoll
Watch
External Link
USA Draws Russia in World Championships QF
Russia beat USA in peliminary matchup6:00 AM Eastern Thursday
Rewind
Quick Flawless in Game 1 Win Over San Jose
Watch
Rewind
Malkin, Vokoun Carry Pens Over Sens
Watch
39 Comments | Share: Share Tweet
All the best to DP_57 and his continued recovery.
...and, Andy, let's not talk about the "open-ice collision" as much as you should call as spade a spade and put it in writing that what Thornton did was a chicken-shit act of thuggery.
What medical experts can say that an otherwise healthy person is going to be able to play this season when 9 months after the fact - DP is still not symptom free?
Otherwise why wouldn't they say they don't expect him to play anytime this year or have any sort of time table? Even a situational time table to work with.
What is clear is it much more serious than they thought and we might assume(though assumptions is such a dangerous thing), that this is not his first concussion.
Northeast Blue man you are right. And he spit in Perron's face by saying he was faking. I want to see a reporter ask him point blank not only about the cheap shot he took but about his words after the game and after finding out about his suspension. He owes Perron and his fans a big apology.
Btw Carcus you are an ass. You want to know why fans might be upset with Checketts? I don't know, have you ever guaranteed anything and not delivered...maybe you're not the person to ask this question about. He guaranteed to do everything to bring a Cup to St. Louis in a few short years. Okay, I wasn't buying it but he sure as hell has done everything to compete for one.
Then about a month ago he tells the P-D that we fans should be grateful that he didn't explode a team that was below the cap floor and he was trying to sell. That's like dropping your wallet and some picking it up for you saying here I made this for you.
Seems to me most people that are President's of companies tend run them and make the decisions that guide them. If there are any problems with money IT IS HIS FAULT CARCUS. It's his business to run and if he can't run it correctly then shame on him. flag this comment
I am sure you have always lived up to every goal you have set. It must be nice.
And I would love to see a quote or something showing Checketts promising that the Blues werwe going to win a cup in a few short years.
And I see you too decided to us message board tactic # 1. Nice. flag this comment
Checketts made that statement at the home opener for the first season I had season tickets in 2007-08 season. Boom! That just happened. flag this comment
That said, I'll stand by my original point - how/why would someone say that they BELIEVE he will play this season? Too much uncertainty with his condition and symptoms.
I believe the Blues will win the Central this year. Until it happens, it is still just a belief. You don't have to know something to believe it, because if you knew it there would be no reason to believe. flag this comment
Shattenkirk you were once such a gifted and promising young kid but then Carcus put your name on his jersey and you have become cursed.
And I am so sure Shattenkirk is going to be terrible now that I have his jersey. Please. flag this comment
"St. Louis Custom Gear South County Mall...... they do a great job..... they converted a Lalime to a Legace jersey for me...... "
And I was thinking damn first Lalime then Legace and now from Boyes to Shattenkirk. You can if that was your history of jersey ownership how any one could become frightened sorry man.
On the side note man, stop being such a defender and a corrector. Just because people have their emotions bubbling up out of concern for a player and a season and they misread only slightly, what Andy wrote there's no need to correct them. Let it go man. I think the hardest thing being a fan is the lack of control over the situations. And this triplely sucks! This kid is a great talent and he's hurt and no one knows exactly why or they aren't saying. That sucks. Then the impact on the season. The mild reminder that we picked up Jamie L. as a replacement. That sucks a lot. Here's hoping Grachev breaks out HUGE while he has a chance. flag this comment
although it sucks to hear he's not ready to get back into training. the optimistic view they seem to have of his return this season isn't something to completely toss aside. concussions are funny things. but i think it's safe to say that the less often he's having symptoms the more likely he'll be able to play. maybe the belief he'll be able to play is coming from a steady decline in the severity and frequency of symptoms for DP. we can only hope.
as it is, i can't see him coming back this year without taking a pretty big step back from how he started last season. i'd just like to see him get back into the game and after a solid offseason training regimen take top line duties for the team next year. flag this comment
flag this comment
And so we go into this season sans the current best player in the game in Crosby, without the Blues best offensive player in Perron, without probably should never play another game again Savard and I believe their are other very talented players also still out. Some deaths that might have some to relation to concussions. Believe me Carcus I have struggled mightily with my concussion and PTSD issues over the last couple of years to include more than a few bouts with suicidal tendencies. I have seen people far worse than me to the point you try to figure out how they get by day to day. So don't discount a drug over dose and a suicide as not related to these concussion issues. I know the NHL and many business men and fans would not want to think so and would beg the question how come we didn't see more of this before and what about the Rocket who had a concussion and scored a big goal? Recall the Rocket's behavior and the behavior of other star athletes who have dealt with concussions and you start to see a grim picture we over-looked because we didn't know much about Traumatic Brain Injuries(in shop talk called TBIs), in the past. There is a thing for instance that is called, forgive me if I misspell this, a Cous ou cous, which you usually see from an injury where the head was going at a fast pace in one direction before an instant deacceleration so that the brain first bruises itself when it slams into the skull moving forward and then slams into the opposite end of the skull going backwards. This is a very serious injury. It doesn't take much brain damage or worse any manner where cells in the brain fail to get oxygen before bad things happen.
So I invite you my fellow fans to step up and tell the NHL THEY MUST DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THE ELEMENTS IN THE GAME for the safety of those who play and the children who are influenced by that play. We want to see the great creative talents make spectacular plays. We want to see talent out there. The rinks MUST be made larger to do this otherwise hockey will lose parts of the game that make it unique and the first thing you'll see is checking gone from the game. Look the NFL is trying to protect players and now big hits are no longer tolerated. In these instantaneous games it is hard for players to make yet another snap decision to pull back while the instincts are flying. Ask the NHL to do things that make sense. Let's try first by expanding the rink to NCAA size and then let's see.
Maybe it's having seen friends of mine seem so different or end up killing themselves because of TBIs that makes it hard to see yet another reminder of it in life. Let me tell you how lucky we are for life and how easy it can get away from us. FOr your thanks for my service I will bring you something back you can count on and be thankful for, life is very precious, strong and yet fragile; Don't take any second of it for granted.
Couple that with a wealth of tough life experience that Guru has experienced in service of our country, well I give the guy the space to communicate fully from his style. lopey, you are right on target with the good points that Guru makes.
Stick around a while. You'll have plenty of time to watch the debates ebb and flow. flag this comment
I've never been in favor of the larger ice surface until now. I think what we're seeing in the NHL and NFL in recent years is very alarming. Are some of these players that have suffered head injuries showing signs of PTSD? I think it has to be considered.
I think both leagues have to put everything on the table, no sacred cows, and honestly examine their sports. Things seem to be trending in a dangerous pattern. Players retire from the game still with most of their lives in front of them.
So now, more speed, more European players, and more concussions. Are North American players adapting their game to add speed while maintaining the physical nature of N.A. hockey?
Are we seeing concussions increase in the CHL, AHL, and college hockey? If not, what are they doing in their game that's different from the NHL? flag this comment
Not only is it a game of speed, but today's athlete's are training year-round. Their fitness is better, their body fat content is much lower. They are faster and stronger and equipment is lighter (adding to their speed even more) and also harder.
Unfortunately, one of the areas of the body that cannot be built up and enhanced to withstand impact is the brain. Perhaps leaving it somewhat vulnerable in an ever-advancing dynamic.
flag this comment
I really like how you articulated your concept. Especially how you phrase it as to say that it's not necessarily Euro's getting hurt by the N.A. game; rather, their mere presence has changed the way the game is played.