Corey Perry Weighs In on Trade to the Blackhawks

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Ryan Hall
July 19, 2023 (11:14)

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The legacy of Corey Perry will be in NHL history within the next few years when he decides to hang up his skates.

The 38-year-old right winger, who was drafted 28th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2003 NHL draft, has had an amazing career thus far. During his time in the NHL, he has played 1257 games, scoring 417 goals with 466 assists for a total of 883 points. He boasts a +11 rating and has accumulated 1380 penalty minutes.

Perry's notorious edgy play and his ability to get under the skin of opponents over the years have given General Manager Kyle Davidson something to ponder: Should the Blackhawks acquire Corey Perry or not?
Does he still have what it takes?

Well, that answer will be known in game one of this season as Davidson acquired Perry's rights from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in 2024.

Within a few days after the deal was finalized, Davidson signed Perry for one year at $4 million. Davidson believes Perry still has plenty to offer the team as they seek veteran presence while continuing to bring in new young players.

Perry recently sat down with Charlie Roumeliotis on the Blackhawks Talk podcast to discuss the trade. During the conversation, Charlie asked Perry various questions, including his initial reaction to the trade, his mindset going into the season, and his thoughts on playing with Connor Bedard.

Perry mentioned that he is looking forward to mentoring the young players who will be joining the team. He also acknowledged the acquisitions of Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno, two players he knows will contribute to the team. Perry believes that the Blackhawks have a great plan in place, which is why he decided to sign with the team, even if it's only for one year.

Perry is also reuniting with head coach Luke Richardson, who happened to be the assistant head coach for the Montreal Canadiens during Perry's time there in 2021. Richardson played a significant role in Perry's decision to sign with the Blackhawks. Perry admires Richardson's coaching style and believes that their previous success, reaching the Stanley Cup finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, speaks volumes about their ability to work well together.

Lastly, Perry expressed his excitement about the Blackhawks' decision to draft Connor Bedard, calling it a special moment. He mentioned visiting the rink last week and watching Bedard for 10 to 15 minutes. The opportunity to potentially mentor Bedard and play alongside him on the same line was enticing for Perry.

I am confident that Perry will make an impact on the Blackhawks this year. His veteran presence alone is worth the investment, and he will undoubtedly help the young players improve during his time with the Blackhawks.