from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

David Perron made an immediate, favorable impression on the first day of training camp.

The veteran forward exuded energy, helping to feed the freshness that permeates the Detroit Red Wings after a makeover that extended to players at every position and the coaching staff. Perron, 34, is the oldest player on the team, and has played 973 career NHL games, but he is eager to prove how much of an impact he can make as the Wings move forward in the rebuild.

"I think for me at the stage of my career that I am at, I want to be a difference maker on the ice, still, bring some of the stuff that I was doing in St. Louis," Perron said Thursday. "Team-wise is really where I want to make a difference also, leadership-wise, team identity, talking about some of the details. Kind of being an extension if you will, kind of preaching the right stuff in the room by talking and by my play. Making sure that the staples defensively and throughout our system are there consistently."

Perron's enthusiasm on his first day in a new job earned rave reviews from coach Derek Lalonde.

"Even in his want to push practice today, what’s been really exciting about David in talking to him throughout the summer, he’s self-admitted that he’s had to evolve in his career," Lalonde said. "I think it’s an unbelievable example —here he is now, he expects practice to be at a high pace, he wants guys to work throughout the entire practice. I think he’s embracing that role. It’s something we talked about, something he wanted to embrace in the offseason, and Day 1, he stayed true to his word."

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