This offseason, the Edmonton Oilers made a questionable choice, re-signing Corey Perry to a 1-year cope with a $1.15 million cap hit. Perry first inked a 1-year, $775K cope with the Oilers on Jan. 22, after his contract was terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks in late November.
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Bringing in a veteran on a league-minimum contract was a good suggestion by the Oilers. Perry has been strong since becoming a member of the Oilers, registering 8 objectives and 13 factors in 38 regular-season video games and averaging 12:quarter-hour an evening within the backside six. It was a low-risk transfer on account of his expertise and minimal wage. Nonetheless, that was final yr. Now, he appears to be operating out of fuel and can doubtless see the press field many instances this season. He isn’t definitely worth the extension he was given, and the Oilers could remorse the choice to deliver him again. Listed here are 5 the explanation why re-signing Perry was a mistake.
1. Corey Perry Curse
What do the 2020 Dallas Stars, 2021 Montreal Canadiens, 2022 Tampa Bay Lightning, and 2024 Edmonton Oilers all have in frequent? All of them misplaced within the Stanley Cup Remaining with Perry on their roster. In 2020 and 2021, his workforce misplaced to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Perry then stated, “If you happen to can’t beat them, be part of them,” and inked a 2-year deal with the Lightning. He then misplaced a 3rd straight Stanley Cup Remaining sequence, this time to the Colorado Avalanche.
The previous first-round choose of the Anaheim Geese has one Stanley Cup beneath his belt, received in 2007 with the Geese. However, he has not received it once more regardless of having a number of alternatives lately. The “Corey Perry Curse” has been a operating joke on social media. Will the Oilers break the curse? If not, they’re certain to win the Stanley Cup in 2026 when Perry is not an Oiler. Who is aware of, possibly he will likely be on the workforce that loses to Edmonton.
2. Perry’s Age
Perry doesn’t make the workforce any youthful. At 39 years previous, he’s properly previous his prime and doesn’t have the legs he used to, which was evident within the Oilers’ current playoff run when he scored one purpose and three factors in 19 playoff video games whereas being a wholesome scratch for six video games. He was not solely ineffective, however he additionally wasn’t the pest we’re used to seeing. His solely purpose got here in Recreation 5 of the Stanley Cup Remaining when Connor McDavid went coast-to-coast, dangled by means of your complete Florida Panthers workforce, and located Perry on the backdoor for a straightforward tap-in – he was the beneficiary of McDavid magic.
Are the Oilers too previous? They’re the oldest workforce within the NHL and the one workforce with a median age over 30. Perry is slowing down, and it wouldn’t harm for administration to inject some much-needed youth into their lineup. Shedding Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway to supply sheets was an enormous blow and put a damper on an general nice offseason. The Oilers additionally misplaced speedsters Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele. The velocity of their backside six is regarding, and having Perry doesn’t assist.
3. Perry’s Cash Ought to Have Been Allotted Elsewhere
Understanding what we all know now, extending Perry was a head-scratcher. On Aug. 13, the St. Louis Blues tendered provide sheets to restricted free brokers (RFAs) Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, which the Oilers didn’t match, which means that each gamers at the moment are in St. Louis. Edmonton obtained a second and third-round choose as compensation.
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The Oilers might have dealt with this higher. Regardless that Perry’s $1.15 million cap hit doesn’t look like loads, administration ought to have used that cash to re-sign their pending RFAs, particularly Holloway. The truth that signing Perry was prioritized over Holloway is mind-boggling.
Holloway could have been a bit dearer, however he’s additionally 17 years youthful and would have had a bigger position on the workforce this season. The Oilers additionally traded Cody Ceci and his $3.25 million cap hit to save cash (which makes not matching Holloway’s provide sheet much more stunning). Administration dropped the ball on their RFAs, who ought to have been signed mid-season anyway.
4. Perry Takes a Roster Spot From a Younger Participant
The Oilers desperately want youth of their backside six, particularly after Holloway’s departure. Their fourth line will now encompass Vasily Podkolzin, Derek Ryan, and Corey Perry, in accordance with Every day Faceoff. Whereas Podkolzin is barely 23, Ryan is 37, and Perry is pushing 40. That may be a sluggish line. The workforce is anticipating newcomer, Podkolzin to drive that line, which is a giant ask for somebody who didn’t earn constant taking part in time in three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.
The Oilers have a number of younger gamers who will likely be pushing for roster spots in coaching camp. Raphael Lavoie, Matthew Savoie, Noah Philp, and Roby Jarventie are gamers to regulate, they usually price lower than Perry. With the Oilers up in opposition to the wage cap, the workforce needs to be in search of inside options. As a substitute of re-signing the veteran right-winger, administration ought to belief one in all these prospects to fill that position.
5. Perry’s Management Is Not Wanted
5 years in the past, Perry’s management would have been extraordinarily helpful to an Oilers workforce seeking to keep constant playoff berths. Nonetheless, the workforce has made the postseason yearly because the COVID-19 pandemic, with a number of deep runs. They’ve had two Western Convention Remaining appearances, and one Stanley Cup Remaining look and have misplaced to the eventual Stanley Cup champions three years in a row.
They’ve leaders within the room. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Zach Hyman have been with the group by means of all of it. They’ve additionally added Adam Henrique and Jeff Skinner who can tackle management roles. All these gamers play at a particularly excessive stage and are both in Edmonton’s prime six or of their top-four defence.
Perry is a fringe participant and can barely crack the fourth line. Whereas he could have expertise, can he constantly assist the workforce on the ice? I’m not satisfied he can at this stage in his profession.
