Ryan Kennedy and Jacob Stoller discuss whether winning the Stanley Cup helps convince Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to sign long-term extensions in the next couple of years. Corey Perry [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2ODEzODgxOTQ1ODI2Nzg3/usatsi_22386508_168400847_lowres.jpg] Corey Perry SUNRISE, FLA - When the Vegas Golden Knights met the Florida Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup final, it was almost weird that Corey Perry wasn't there. After all, the veteran right winger had been in the final the past three years running, doing so with three different teams no less. Toss in his sophomore NHL season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2006-07 and Perry has won two championships while playing in the final four times - five, counting this year with the Edmonton Oilers. From Dallas to Montreal to Tampa Bay, Perry has picked some great teams to play for in recent years and while his time in Chicago didn't work out this season, hooking up later with the Oilers once again has Perry right where every NHLer wants to be. So what's his secret? There must be something that threads all those teams together, right? "There's always something that's in there, but every team is different," Perry said. "Every team has a different way of playing, a different leader, a different world-class player. At the end of the day, it's the hunger, the want, the will. And you really see it." When it comes to will, you don't have to question if Perry himself has the trait; he shows it every shift. But what is perhaps the most intriguing thing about him is how he has changed over the years. Keep in mind, we're talking about a guy who won the Hart and Rocket Richard trophies back in 2010-11 when he tallied 50 goals and 98 points for the Ducks. Now, he's a role player - but often a very effective one. "At some point you have to look yourself in the mirror and realize you're not going to play 20, 22 minutes a game; you're not going to play on the first line," he said. "And you have to be OK with that. Some people can, some people can't. I've been able to adapt to it and grow a bit. I've put myself in a position where I can still play in this league, even if it's not the 23 minutes a game I got when I was 25 years old and I'm OK with that. I'm OK with helping the team in other ways." You can never have too much chipiness or experience in the playoffs and that's where Perry will make his impact both on the ice and in the room for Edmonton. And if you think Cup runs have become old hat because he's made the final for the fourth time in five years, guess again. "They never get old," Perry said. "This is why we play the game, to play for the Stanley Cup and have the chance to lift it. We dream of it growing up, watching it on TV, hoping you get that chance. I was fortunate to win it early in my career but I've fallen short the past few years. This is a different team, a different year and we're hoping for a different result." Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
