The Detroit Red Wings acquired forward David Perron from the Ottawa Senators in a trade finalized Thursday. Detroit sent a conditional 2026 fourth-round draft pick to Ottawa to secure Perron, who spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with the Red Wings. Perron, who has 10 goals and 25 points in 49 games, is currently on injured reserve after last playing January 20. His return comes as the Red Wings aim to reach the playoffs for the first time in nine years, a challenge they struggled with during his initial tenure.

Perron's two-year, $4 million annual deal arrives as the team projects $55.432 million in salary cap space at the deadline. The 11-time Stanley Cup champions entered this season seeking to break their longest playoff drought, currently sitting third in the Atlantic Division, three points behind Tampa Bay for the division lead.