Multiple NHL teams have shown interest in picking up UFA veteran Corey Perry as the 2023-24 season rounds the halfway mark, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports Thursday. Per Kaplan, one unnamed team “is doing major due diligence” to determine if past workplace behavior issues exist aside from the undisclosed incident that got his contract with the Blackhawks terminated earlier this season.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed late Wednesday that Perry is eligible to sign with a team and will not face a blockade from league commissioner Gary Bettman. Perry has met with Bettman since the contract termination at the player’s request, per Friedman, and was given Bettman’s “blessing” to return. He has not yet filed a grievance with the NHLPA against his termination, and the union has until January 28 to decide if it wants to proceed with one.
The Blackhawks signed Perry, 38, to a one-year, $4MM contract after acquiring his signing rights from the Lightning in a late June trade. The capable veteran notched four goals and nine points through 16 games in Chicago before the team removed him from the lineup and eventually the roster for an incident that the team said violated the terms of his contract and organizational standards. Perry issued a statement shortly after his termination, stating he would “discuss his struggles with alcohol” with behavioral health experts.
Perry’s 0.56 points per game pace in third-line minutes in Chicago is a strong indication that he can still bring it, especially considering the lack of depth around him. That pace would be third on the Blackhawks today behind Connor Bedard’s 0.85 clip and Philipp Kurashev’s 0.68.
If Perry does get another contract to extend his career past the 1,300-game mark, it will almost surely be for the league minimum $775K. No teams have been reliably linked to Perry yet, although former Maple Leaf Carlo Colaiacovo posited on TSN 1050 radio today that there may be mutual interest between Perry and Toronto. There, he would assumedly slot in a fourth-line right-wing role and, even in his late 30s, would provide a major upgrade over declining enforcer Ryan Reaves and AHL call-up Bobby McMann. The 2007 Stanley Cup champion with the Ducks also still lives in London, Ontario, where he played his junior hockey with the Knights. It’s understandable why he would have an interest in signing without having to make a mid-season move.
Maybe hes a habs fan and despises the leafs. Unlikely tho and if he wants playoff hockey thats the place to go if playing close to home is a want
Avalanche bound.
At league minimum, a playoff team will definitely sign him. Def can see him go to the Leafs or Avs as well, like some posters have said. But can also see him go any teams that are playoff bound wanting that experience.
Could bring a healthy dose of sandpaper to the Pens 4th line
Who couldn’t use a nearly 40 year old slow guy?
#NYR
Would love to see him next to Bonino and Vesey on Rangers 4th line.
Perhaps Kyle Davidson has behavior health issues for giving Perry 4 million to begin with!
Perhaps I am confusing for another player, but was Perry the one terminated, ostensibly, for spousal abuse? Or was that someone else?
You’re thinking of Milan Lucic, whose contract is still active. He remains on LTIR and, if memory serves (I’m not 100% certain), is currently enrolled in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Still is
I could see Perry signing with Colorado to bring some grit to the 4th line.
Dee-twa.
at league minimum or just a little above I could definitely see many teams including Nashville (fans there absolutely despise the guy) but if he brings the offense in the bottom 6 I could definitely see Trotz signing him only time will tell
The pens need another right shot geriatric
Devils are a fit. They need grit and Bastian isn’t cutting it.