Corey Perry gets brutally honest about decision to leave the Edmonton Oilers
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Not all NHL players leave an impression on their former club, even after only two years with the team. Corey Perry, however, is the kind of player that fans and teammates don't easily forget.
The 40-year old veteran scored 19 regular-season goals in 2024-25 with the Oilers, and added 10 more in the playoffs. Yet, more than the goals themselves, it was his character, and his intangible qualities that separated Corey Perry from everyday NHLers, traits like poise, perseverance, a no-quit attitude.
Unfortunately, due to cap restrictions, the Oilers could not resign Perry, and so lost him to this year's free agency, where he signed with the Los Angeles Kings on a one-year contract worth $2M, and a further $2M in performance bonuses.
Corey Perry recently spoke with TSN's 1050 during his charity golf event.
"I do have to say, it was tough leaving Edmonton. We had a good thing set up there, family-wise, good group of guys, but it's a new chapter and we're looking forward to it."
In reality, his decision to leave the team was purely about money - and aided by his relationship with Ken Holland willing to pay up for him.
Former Oilers' GM Ken Holland knew what he was getting when he brought Corey Perry to Edmonton two years ago, and it didn't take long for the rest of Edmonton to learn what the GM already knew, that they were getting a quality guy. It's one reason why Perry signed with the Los Angeles Kings, his familiarity with Ken Holland, now the Kings' GM.
Yet, Perry's familiarity extends to the California hockey market, having played with the Kings' arch-rival Anaheim Ducks for 14 years. Further, the Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in the first-round of the playoffs in four-straight years. If that trend continues, Corey Perry will be facing off against his old teammates next season, doing to them what he's done to so many others in the 20 years he's been in the league.
The Oilers will face the Kings three times in the 2025-26 campaign, with the first game being played at Rogers Place on January 10th, when Oilers fans will have an opportunity to pay tribute to Corey Perry. Then, I'm certain, it will be business as usual.
Once that puck drops, all former allegiances will have been forgotten, as the Oilers attempt to make it to the finals in three-straight seasons.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 539 ANSWERS Corey Perry gets brutally honest about decision to leave the Edmonton Oilers Should the Oilers have managed their cap space in order to sign Corey Perry to another 1-year deal? | ||
| yes | 298 | 55.3 % |
| no | 241 | 44.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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