Corey Perry is unexpectedly away from the Los Angeles Kings for personal reasons, with his status for the Sept. 30 season opener against the Colorado Avalanche now something to monitor.
Corey Perry is currently away from the Los Angeles Kings for personal reasons, creating an unexpected absence for the veteran forward less than two weeks before the start of the regular season.
John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio reported Monday that Perry is temporarily away from the team. The Kings have not provided a specific timeline for his return.
Based on the current timeline, Perry is expected to miss both of Los Angeles’ preseason games this week, including Tuesday’s matchup against the Utah Mammoth and Wednesday’s meeting with the Anaheim Ducks.
Perry is still expected to have time to return before the Kings open the regular season against the Colorado Avalanche on Sept. 30. At this point, there is no indication that his current absence is expected to keep him out of the season opener.
The 41-year-old forward returned to Los Angeles this offseason after spending part of last season with the Kings. Perry began the 2025-26 campaign in Los Angeles, recording 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 50 games before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Perry recorded six goals and three assists for nine points in 22 regular-season games with Tampa Bay but was held without a point in seven playoff games as the Lightning were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in seven games. He then returned to Los Angeles during the offseason.
This is not the first time Perry has unexpectedly stepped away from a team.
In November 2023, while under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, general manager Kyle Davidson announced that Perry would be away from the team for the “foreseeable future.” The Blackhawks eventually terminated Perry’s $4 million contract after an internal investigation.
It was later reported that the incident involved alcohol and occurred at a Blackhawks-organized team function involving corporate sponsors. Perry subsequently addressed the situation publicly and sought professional help.
Now, Perry is once again away from his team for personal reasons, although there is currently no indication that the circumstances surrounding his latest absence are in any way, shape, or form, connected to his previous absence.
The Kings will continue through the preseason without Perry while awaiting further clarity on his return. With Los Angeles set to face Colorado on Sept. 30, his availability for opening night will be something to monitor closely.
