Veteran winger is back in NHL with surging Edmonton after being cut by rebuilding Blackhawks in November.
The surging Edmonton Oilers signed Corey Perry on Monday for the rest of the 2023-24 season, adding the crusty winger for a bottom-six forward role nearly two months after the Chicago Blackhawks cut the 38-year-old for unacceptable conduct.
Perry reportedly agreed to a pro-rated deal for the league minimum $775,000 plus performance bonuses. He's expected to join the Oilers for practice immediately, though he may not play in a game until early February following the NHL All-Star break.
The Oilers and Blackhawks meet in Edmonton this Thursday, Jan. 25.
Neither the Blackhawks or Perry revealed details of exactly what occurred to lead to his termination on Nov. 28, 2023. He and the NHL Players' Association have until next week to decide to file a grievance to recoup some of his salary with Chicago where he had four goals and five assists in 16 games.
Perry apologized in a statement and said he was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. He met earlier in January with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, but was never barred from signing with another club.
Background Check
One assumes Oilers general manager Ken Holland has performed a more thorough background check on Perry than Chicago GM Kyle Davidson did. Perry, in his 19th NHL season, had a hockey pedigree and whatever conditions fueled his misbehavior with Chicago apparently were overlooked and ignored in the past.
Davidson has made few missteps since becoming Chicago's hockey operations boss in October 2021. But the problems with Perry, whatever they were, blindsided the 35-year-old Davidson, the NHL's youngest GM.
Davidson choked up and fought tears as he answered reporters' questions after putting Perry on waivers to release him.
Dad Gone Bad?
Perry, along with 36-year-old Nick Foligno, were both acquired to fill leadership and even "dad-like" roles on rebuilding Chicago. Perry came from Tampa Bay and signed a one-year, $4 million contract in late June.
Perry and Foligno were tabbed to look out for Connor Bedard and other kids. The gregarious Foligno has delivered big time and recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Blackhawks to help move them ahead with their rebuild.
Perry Disappeared
The Blackhawks' youngsters were warming up to the salty Perry too. Then he was a late scratch before a game in Columbus on Nov. 22 and never returned.
Perry reportedly had violated team policy several days earlier with what was reported as "alcohol fueled" behavior at an event. In the aftermath of mishandling the 2010 Brad Aldrich sexual assault case, the Blackhawks had pledged their fans, the NHL and the hockey world zero tolerance for HR violations and misconduct.
Davidson divulged only that whatever Perry did was a "workplace matter" and didn't involve law enforcement.
Perry later apologized in a statement, saying he would see help on mental health and alcohol matters.
Due Diligence?
But Davidson also all-but admitted in the Nov. 28 press conference at the United Center to inadequate due-diligence on Perry. It was an emotional day, capped with a trade for forward Anthony Beauvillier and a 4-3 Chicago win over Seattle.
Perry's presence also came highly recommended by coach Luke Richardson, who liked how the veteran worked with young players in Montréal when Richardson was an assistant with the Canadiens.
Now is it Holland's turn to role the dice?
The Oilers have won 13 straight, a record for a Canadian NHL team, to climb squarely back into the playoff picture.
A Stanley Cup champion with Anaheim in 2007, Perry went on to win the Hart Trophy with the Ducks in 2010-11 when he scored a career-high 50 goals and 98 points. He reached the Cup Final three years in a row with three different teams from 2020-22.