He was here to provide veteran leadership on an upcoming team, with Connor Bedard, Lukas Reichel, and other plays on the rise.
However, the former Hart Trophy winner and 50 goal-scorer didn't live up his reputation as a mentor with the Montreal Canadiens.
Perry would prove to be useful still on the ice posting 9 points in 16 games with the Blackhawks, as a 39-year-old on the tail end of his NHL career. He would do something drastic.
He would violate the Blackhawks' HR policy, in an off-ice setting upsetting the team's employees. According to Matt Carlson of the The Hockey News covering the Blackhawks, he also stated more info:
With Danny Wirtz and Kyle Davidson leading the way, the Blackhawks have pledged to clean up their act and conform to a corporate governance structure that exudes best practices.
Perry would be released from the Blackhawks on November 28th, 2023 and shocked all in the hockey world, including the front office. The sting Kyle Davidson felt, had to be deep emotionally.
Perry would seek help with the NHL and NHLPA backing him up, as he made his amends according to league standards, including a written apology. He would make things right with Gary Bettman as well.
Fast forward months later to January 22nd, Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oilers would sign Perry to a one-year contract. The Worm was alive and thriving in Oil country.
For better or worse, Perry has been the agitator on ice we all know him to be, but where he is lacking most is in production. While his usual pest behavior failed to ignite Brock Boeser into confrontation he has been playing only 11:20 TOI a night.
While the Oilers did defeat the Canucks, 3-2 Perry was a non-contributor to the victory.
Source: The Hockey News
Good Riddance, Corey Perry. You Are Hockey's Tired, Old Act.
POLL | ||
MAI 16 | 351 ANSWERS Blackhawks reporter reveals info on Corey Perry's ending in Chicago Do you think Corey Perry has a future in the NHL? | ||
Yes | 114 | 32.5 % |
No | 237 | 67.5 % |
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