Perron’s transfer to Michigan has paid immediate dividends. After a modest two seasons at North Dakota – 37 points in 70 games – he has posted 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games on a stacked Wolverines roster alongside the likes of Will Horcoff and Michael Hage. The shot volume is encouraging at around three per game, with some power play production mixed in. The issues that held him back earlier in his career (game processing, vision, reading plays before they develop) appear to be improving. A game-winning goal against Minnesota, where he intercepted a neutral zone pass and converted, stands out as evidence that those lessons are sticking. At 21 on a team with prospective NHL-caliber talent around him, the environment could not be better for his continued growth. Still a projection play given the prior struggles, but the arrow is pointing firmly upward. A dynasty hold with renewed optimism.

After two seasons with the University of North Dakota, Perron has transferred to the University of Michigan. It was not the most encouraging two seasons for Perron at North Dakota, who had 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 70 games, and with the news of Brad Berry being let go, Perron decided to go to Michigan. With players such as Michael Hage and Malcolm Spence as potential linemates, he should have no problem being able to continue his development into a potential NHL player at the University of Michigan.

Going from the USHL to the NCAA is a big jump, but Jayden Perron is excelling at the University of North Dakota, which is rolling. Currently a stalwart on the third line while also getting power play time, Perron has 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points in 24 games. His skating and playmaking ability have already shown to be ahead of the pack but the biggest growth has been his shot and his usage of it. Perron seems more than willing to let his shot go at the NCAA level, and it’s going in consistently, which adds just another layer to his game. His projection still looks to be around a top-9 contributor that gets some power play time at the NHL level, which is still a few years away.

Hilariously, Perron was selected 94th overall by the Hurricanes because, of course, he was.

Apart from Connor Bedard, Jayden Perron may be the best off-puck offensive mover in the draft class. His nearly unparalleled knack for finding space in the slot and timing those decisive routes to fall behind coverage forms the crux of his offensive upside, as he thinks the game at a high enough level to indicate the translatability of this habit. He will score his goals by consistently being in the right place at the right time, but his playmaking is his best offensive tool. He is a strong handler who attacks with pace and who is able to access passing lanes defenders weren’t even aware were available by passing through multiple layers of coverage. His defensive game and tenacity are also significant strengths, and Perron will not be one of the undersized players who give up a lot defensively in order to to produce. He remains raw and will need at least three years of development before turning pro – with a specific focus on building lower body strength and on incorporating more pace shifts and lateral movement into his transition game – but the upside is very high in this player. He will not be drafted as high as we have him, and he is likely to fall to day two of the draft, but we are so confident in both his tools and his brain that his falling any further than 13 on our board would become difficult for us to rationalize.

Perron was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team after a strong first season with the Steel that saw him put up 17 goals and 28 assists in 60 games. He has taken his play to another level early on in 2022-23, leading the USHL in scoring with 13 points through his first eight games.

Perron is a flashy offensive talent who has the mobility, puck skills, and hockey IQ to impact the game on a consistent basis. He has good straight-line speed and a clean stride, though he could benefit from a deeper knee bend and greater extension, but it is his edge work and lateral mobility that make him really tough to defend. Carrying the puck with his head up in transition, he is able to quickly identify his options, whether that be a pass or a quick change of direction to elude a check before accelerating into open space. Perron will back defenders off with his speed and stop up on the entry to create time and space where he is then able to find an open teammate in the zone or trailing the rush. The way he is constantly scanning the play also makes him a threat on the forecheck, able to quickly jump passing lanes and thwart opposing breakouts to create quick-strike offensive chances. Perron also displays responsible habits in puck support and often patrols high in the offensive zone to provide options for his teammates. With the puck on his stick, he is manipulative and creative in how he attacks opposing defenses. He shows the ability to solve problems under pressure, but there are also occasions when he can be caught trying to do too much, and that will be an area of focus for him as he develops. The biggest concern for Perron is his lack of size and strength but his raw skill and hockey sense more than make up for those deficiencies. He will require further seasoning, but with proper development, Perron has the potential to develop into a top-six playmaking winger who can help drive play for his team.