Blackhawks address their fans regarding a Corey Perry trade?
Before the Blackhawks organization decided to turn the page on the Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane era and begin to dismantle the roster to position the Blackhawks favourably for drafting Connor Bedard, the decision worked.
Bedard was named a Blackhawk first overall. With much of the team devoid of talent, General Manager Kyle Davidson decided to bring in veteran help to shield Bedard and provide him with an opportunity to work with professionals who have been in the game for many years and have vast experience in the NHL.
One such player is Corey Perry. He was drafted in 2003 by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 28th overall. Perry has played over 1200 hockey games and won the Stanley Cup in 2007. The 38-year-old right-winger decided to sign a one-year deal with the Blackhawks worth $4 million per season.
After playing 16 games and scoring four goals with five assists for nine points, the Blackhawks lit up the internet when they decided to make him a healthy scratch before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blackhawks addressed their fans, stating that this healthy scratch was an organizational decision, and that it was not due to his play on the ice
Speculation became rampant about his future with the Blackhawks and the potential of a trade on the horizon. It's highly unusual to make a veteran player of his calibre a healthy scratch without a clear reason.
NHL teams use the US Thanksgiving weekend as the first measuring stick to assess where their team stands in the standings. With the NHL trade freeze set to be placed in December, the Blackhawks may be looking to strike early and use Perry as a potential piece to land a prospect or a high draft choice next year.
All fans will need to sit tight and see if a trade transpires shortly.
| POLL | ||
Will the Blackhawks trade Corey Perry prior to the March 2024 trade deadline? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 74.7 % |
| No | 24 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
