Perrin IS important just not as much as Rand and Mat! I'll admit he's not my favorite but who else will lead the wolves, and all the other animals to fight for the Dragon Reborn in the Last Battle. I think he'll be the deciding factor in the Last Battle. Mat will be leading the Army of Light including the Seanchan, the Warders, the Band, and every other army in Randland while Rand, the Ashaman, and the Aes Sedai fight Dreadlords and the Dark One. Mat will get in trouble even with his large army and Perrin and the wolves and other predators will come and kick Trolloc butt!