EDMONTON - Theyve got three of their own No. 1 draft picks on their roster but its a former St. Louis Blues first-round selection who has quietly emerged as the Edmonton Oilers leading scorer. Edmonton picked up David Perron from St. Louis last summer, and the 2007 first-round selection, despite missing four games with a neck injury, has 12 goals and 25 points for the Oilers (10-18-3, 23 points). Whats more, the 25-year-old is just one of three players on the squad not on the negative side of the plus-minus rating. "Its only 25-30 games so I dont want to go ahead of schedule," said the native of Sherbrooke, Que. "I want to keep going, keep working hard and help this team. "I like the way its going lately with the team and with a lot of the individual play so we have to keep it up." But Edmonton first-year coach Dallas Eakins said Perron is more than just an offensive player. The Oilers landed Perron from the Blues for Swedish-born forward Magnus Paajarvi and a 14 second-round pick. "I love his competitiveness," Eakins said. "As much skill as he has, hes got that little bit of nasty in him." Eakins adds the seven-year veteran has wasted no time becoming a leader in the dressing room. However, the six-foot, 198-pound Perron admits hes frustrated with the Oilers inconsistent play this season. "I dont know if its a roller coaster but thats not the way were trying to build," said Perron. "I know its frustrating for everybody but were trying not to get on that roller coaster. "Were trying to stay on an even keel. Were trying to find that good balance." Thats been difficult for an Edmonton team thats alternated wins with losses over its last eight games. The Oilers continue their five-game homestand Tuesday night hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. At no time, perhaps, was their inconsistency more evident than their two games last week — a 6-2 loss to Phoenix on Tuesday, then an 8-2 win over Colorado on Thursday. The Oilers followed that up with a 2-1 overtime loss to Calgary and the frustration of being unable to score led to another breakdown in the system that resulted in a lot of unsuccessful individual play. "I dont know if its a case of (players) saying it doesnt matter what the system is, Im going to do it myself but theres just too many turnovers," said Perron, who is third on the team in penalty minutes. "Its probably throughout the year some of these guys are so good its almost like, and Im guilty of it once and while also, that you want to show you can take care of the game, you want to step up and be the difference maker. "I know we want to make plays but we have to be smart and keep plays going." And that means shooting more rather than trying to make an abundance of fancy passes. Perron has taken a team-high 98 shots so that wouldnt appear to be an issue for him. "My first two years when Andy Murray was my coach (in St. Louis), he was saying Youre selfish when you dont shoot the puck because the team needs you to shoot the puck, " said Perron. "The first couple of years I was like, what is he talking about? "But sometimes it does make sense. When you overpass it when you have a lane to shoot, whats the point? You have to put it there (on net)." Perron scored 13, 15 and 20 goals his first three NHL campaigns before injuries restricted him to just 115 games from 2010 to 13. Still, he had a career-best 21 goals in 57 contests with the Blues in 2011-12. Perron said while many of the young Oilers are great playmakers, they also have greats shots that they dont make enough use of. "When (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) has the puck and hes on a 2-on-1, I know hes going to try to make a play," Perron said. "But if he sees something he has to try to go for it." 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The Blue Jays dont have a Caesar but they do have someone whos getting used to an annual March controversy. Hes J.A. Happ, who was back after two days away from the ballclub without the certainty of a spot in the rotation. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told the media on Thursday there are now two available starting jobs. Previously, there had been one. But Happ has struggled in two spring appearances as he works through what the Blue Jays say is a sore back. Happ has heard Anthopoulos comments but believes he will be among the group of five starters come opening day. "Yes," Happ told TSN.ca. "Uh huh. Still feel that way." Amid rumours the Blue Jays are players for Ervin Santana, the last marquee free agent starter available, the emergence of a healthy Drew Hutchison and the consideration being given to Marcus Stroman, the potential is there for Happ to be squeezed out of the picture. "As far as the Santana thing, Ive got no control over that," said Happ. "The Alex (comments,) Im not sure. That wasnt the impression I have had. I guess I dont have a comment for it." Happ hadnt been seen at camp since before Anthopoulos comment. He returned on Sunday in time to see off teammates who were about to make the two-hour bus trek to play the Astros in Kissimmee. The diagnosis is back inflammation, causing Happ general back soreness. "Its really nothing," said Happ, who didnt wish to describe the nature of the treatment hes been receiving. "Were just trying to take care of it. We needed to get a few days rest. We took care of a few things and I just kind of needed to be off my feet for a few days in order to recover from that. Well go from there. Well take it a day at a time. In my mind Im feeling better and feel like progressing and jump right back into an outing here soon." In two spring appearances, Happ has a 40.50 ERA, having allowed six earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings. Hes walked five hitters, but isnt willing to use his back pain as an excuse. "t;Its one of those things and Ive always said it, if you go out there theres no excuse," he said.dddddddddddd "You find a way to pitch. It was by no means me having to find a way. I felt good enough. It may have contributed to it but hopefully it doesnt matter. I think, moving forward, I anticipate it not being an issue so that will feel good." DICKEY LOOKING STRONG R.A. Dickey pitched five scoreless innings in Sundays 4-3 loss to the Astros. The outing dropped his spring ERA to 2.45 over three starts. His knuckleball is dancing, the velocities are significantly varied and most of all, Dickey feels healthy. Hes more comfortable heading into his second year with the Blue Jays. "You look forward to a routine," said Dickey. "When that routine is interrupted sometimes it can mess things up, especially when youre older and thats something Im learning. "Getting to come into the clubhouse every day," he said. "Not having to depart and be away from my teammates; getting to really do relationships with those guys; getting to prepare in-between starts the way that I like to; take ground balls on the half-field in-between starts. All that is part of getting ready." There were high expectations for the 2013 Blue Jays. Those expectations werent met. Asked what he would say about the 2014 version of his club, Dickey offered a wry, deadpanned response. "I think were terrible," joked Dickey. "I dont want anybody to take us seriously and I think that because of last year were probably going to get walked over every game." DICKEYS REMAINING SPRING SCHEDULE Dickey has three spring starts left before opening day after his 82-pitch, five-inning performance on Sunday. He intends to throw about 100 pitches in each of his next two starts and then shorten his final appearance in preparation for opening day, March 31 in Tampa Bay. CAMP CUTS The Blue Jays reduced their major league camp roster by four after Sundays game. Catcher A.J. Jimenez, outfielder Kenny Wilson and pitchers Deck McGuire and Rob Rasmussen, all of whom are on the 40-man roster, were sent to minor league camp. 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