The Anaheim Ducks said farewell to a franchise icon earlier this month when they bought out the remaining years of Corey Perry’s contract, making him an unrestricted free agent headed for the open market. The veteran forward is determined to return to a competitive level after failing to record 20 goals in each of the last three seasons, and it appears as though he’ll have more than enough opportunity. There was already reporting that linked Perry to the Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks, but now Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet indicates that the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars are among those on his radar.
The Stars have also been linked to another veteran from the Pacific Division in Joe Pavelski, and as Friedman puts it they are “determined to add scorers.” That would certainly describe Perry, as the 34-year old has 372 goals including six seasons of at least 30. The question is can Perry still be that kind of player, dangerous on the powerplay and effective at even-strength. Dallas already watched the rapid decline of a former star over the last few years as Jason Spezza’s career wound down.
Montreal meanwhile seems to be poking around most free agent, though they won’t be able to bring in everyone. The team has almost $9MM in cap space right now but needs to sign a few restricted free agents and think about the extensions that Max Domi and Victor Mete will be after next summer. If they plan on bringing in some help on the blue line a deal for Perry would have to be relatively inexpensive.
That’s exactly what might happen with the former Duck, as Perry is actually eligible for a performance bonus-laden deal if he settles for a one-year contract. Despite not being 35 yet he qualifies because of the number of days he spent on injured reserve last season. That could be the perfect answer for teams like Montreal or Pittsburgh who may not want to sacrifice much cap space to the former Hart trophy winner.
Perry ONLY makes sense for the Pens if they can find a taker for Hornqvist first.
Eat half of his contract and send him back to Nashville?
You really think moving hornqvist after 1 subpar season and replacing him with broken Corey Perry is a good thought? Good golly I hope the pens aren’t staring down that Barrel.
Once we unload Simmonds in Nashville , that would be a good move if can be pulled off, Perry signs with Pittsburgh, Hornqvist comes back to Nashville, several teams are calling for Simmonds, so let’s get the ball rolling in coming moves ahead of July 1st Free Agency frenzy, good way to start the fun rolling ahead of time. Like the comments on this JDGoat and Forwhomjoshbelltolls.
Who is a better net-front nuisance? Hornqvist or Perry? Both are equal with post-whistle crap, like slashes & cross-checks. Both equally likely to get a stupid penalty, so which one would contribute more meaningful points? GMJR just said this A.M. that he is still revamping the team, so the musical chairs act isn’t done yet and the D needs work. So where does the focus go now with the Pens? And, don’t say Kessel, since he’s the obvious punching-bag.
Simmonds is an FA. They don’t need to unload him
If Rutherford sigbs Perry, Lemieux needs to send that HOF plaque of GMJR’s straight to the landfill after he locks him out of the office and deactivates his keycard.
Maybe I am biased, but Perry seems like a Nashville pred to me. They got rid of subban and hartman, so now they have a legitimate lack of D-baggery on their roster as compared to most years.
Perry would help fill that void.
Hahaha.
Just kidding preds fans…. Kind of.
The only reason to choose Perry over Hornqvist is if you can trade Hornqvist’s 5 years at $5.3 million per year contract while getting Perry on a 2 year $2 million per year deal or something like that.
But you can’t have both on the same roster.
Simmonds would be great on the Pens if they could unload Hornqvist.
I wouldn’t hate Perry on the 2nd line with Hintz and Radulov. Need Pavelski or Lee for the 1st line though.