ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports that several NHL teams are exploring the possibility of signing veteran forward Corey Perry for the second half of the season. While it remains uncertain whether the deal will go through, there is notable interest, with at least one team conducting extensive due diligence to evaluate any potential off-ice incidents beyond Perry’s well-documented incident with l alcohol in Chicago. Is this team the Edmonton Oilers?
The Oilers have become a speculative destination for Perry, given their historic willingness to offer players second chances (see Evander Kane). Perry, a 38-year-old veteran, initially started the 2023-24 season with the Chicago Blackhawks and found success on the ice before an alleged alcohol-related incident at a team function led to upon his dismissal from the Blackhawks. His contract was terminated and he was slow to seek professional help. Now it appears he’s ready to return.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on a meeting between Perry and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, indicating that teams may now be more receptive to signing him with league approval. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff highlighted the considerable interest in Perry, despite the off-ice hiccup. He brings back :
“I can tell you this: I had three NHL general managers call me the week he was suspended from the Blackhawks, with all of this hanging in the balance. The question I was asked was, ‘What happened? did it pass? What do you know? How bad was it? and then the next thing was, “What do you think the blowback would look like if we signed this guy?”
Perry’s desire to speak with Gary Bettman and the NHL was also his way of exploring the market and assessing potential blowback. While they feel the past incident isn’t too bad, the Oilers aren’t a team that cares much about public relations, at least not based on their history.
Would Corey Perry be a good fit for the Red-Hot Oilers?
For the Oilers, signing Perry could align with their history of offering redemption to players with troubled pasts. The team has already taken risks with individuals like Craig MacTavish, Zack Kassian and Evander Kane, giving them opportunities for a second act in their careers. Although details have not been revealed, some believe that whatever Perry did is not up to this level of seriousness.
For a team like the Oilers, if Perry is productive and the incident is just an incident, he could be a good pick.
Perry, who has a proven track record of offensive contributions and a reputation for being a pest on the ice, could potentially play a role on the Oilers’ third line. The Oilers recently moved Ryan McLeod to the wing and speculation is that they will test Dylan Holloway at center. Perry could be a better, more experienced alternative. He has a history of valuable contributions, reaching three of the last four Stanley Cup Finals.
Importantly, signing Perry would likely come at a minimal cost to the Oilers, making it a financially prudent move. Given Perry’s recent deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Oilers have ample cap space to strike a pro-rated deal for the remainder of the season, potentially at a league-minimum salary.
The Oilers could see an opportunity in Corey Perry. If so, signing the veteran forward to help in their quest for a Stanley Cup title makes sense if the options aren’t there internally. Likewise, the potential signing could offer Perry a chance at redemption while providing the Oilers with a seasoned player at a reasonable cost.
Following: Mutual interest between Maple Leafs and Corey Perry (report)
