Throughout an NHL season, there is going to be roster turnover for every club. Each organization is looking to field the best group possible in order to win the Stanley Cu, and can make upgrades through signings, promotions, and trades.
Corey Perry did not start the season with the Oilers. When the 2023-24 campaign began, the forward was with the Blackhawks, fresh off signing a one-year, $4 million contract to bring veteran leadership for Connor Bedard and the young Chicago team.
However, before November was over, Perry was off the club following an internal investigation conducted by Chicago. Before fans knew it, the 39-year-old's contract was terminated and Perry was a free agent.
So, why did Perry leave the Blackhawks, and how did he end up on the Oilers? The Sporting News explains.
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Why did Corey Perry leave the Blackhawks?
Perry did not voluntarily leave the Blackhawks. On Nov. 28, 2023, he was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract with the team.
The decision came on the heels of an internal investigation into an alleged workplace incident involving Perry and a team employee.
This is what the Blackhawks said in a statement at the time.
After an internal investigation, the Chicago Blackhawks have determined that Corey Perry has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation both of the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments. As such, Corey Perry has been placed on unconditional waivers. In the event Mr. Perry clears waivers, we intend to terminate his contract effective immediately.
What did Corey Perry do?
In late November of this season, Perry all of a sudden became a healthy scratch out of nowhere for the Blackhawks. He was pulled from the lineup at the last minute for a Nov. 22 contest against the Blue Jacket. He played in 16 games with the team before his absence from the Chicago lineup.
On May 25, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson announced that Perry would be away from the team for the "foreseeable future." The reason remained murky while rumors flew about online.
On Nov. 28, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that Perry was the subject of an internal investigation for workplace misconduct. According to her report, there was an alleged matter involving Perry and a team employee while the Blackhawks were in Columbus for a game against the Blue Jackets.
"A source told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that Perry indeed traveled with the team to Columbus last Tuesday, a day before the game, and an incident occurred that day involving a team employee." https://t.co/WXEfL3mfti
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) November 29, 2023
The team immediately pulled Perry from the lineup once it got word of the accusations. Less than a week later, Perry was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.
"It's obviously ... been very tough," Davidson said at the time. "It's been a tough couple of days."
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The Blackhawks did not provide any additional details about Perry's dismissal other than that it was related to a "workplace incident."
Davidson affirmed that the actions that led Perry to be dismissed from the team had nothing to do with any other players or their families. This came amid online speculation that there was an incident involving Perry and the mother of rookie Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in 2024.
#Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says he can't reveal any details, says it is a "workplace matter."
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 28, 2023
“This does not involve any player or their families, and anyone that suggests otherwise is wildly inaccurate and it’s frankly disgusting.”
"This does not involve any player or their families, and anyone that suggests otherwise is wildly inaccurate and it’s frankly disgusting," Davidson said.
Two days after he was placed on waivers by the Blackhawks, Perry released his first statement on the matter. He issued an apology for his actions while not getting into what exactly those were.
Corey Perry has released a statement in which he apologized for his recent actions and says he's now taking steps to seek treatment for mental health and alcohol struggles. pic.twitter.com/QXE8bUWZQB
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 30, 2023
The statement said he was set to begin working with mental health and substance abuse experts "to discuss my struggles with alcohol and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again."
Perry officially became a free agent on Nov. 29. He spent nearly two months away from hockey before signing with the Oilers on Jan. 22.
"Over the last two months, I've really had a chance to reflect and get the help and take full responsibility for what happened in Chicago and try to better myself," Perry said at the time of his Edmonton signing. "Those are the things I've been working on. I've been working with people in the mental health field and in different fields.
"It's been a long time to get back to this spot, to be back on the ice with players in the NHL, and I have to thank my family and my friends and all the support I've gotten, the support from my counselors, and just try to better myself each and every day."
Corey Perry contract
The Oilers signed Perry to a one-year, $775,000 contract on Jan. 22 to finish out the rest of the 2023-24 season in Edmonton.
The deal, which is slightly above the veteran minimum of $750,000 expires at the end of this season. Perry will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
| Season | AAV |
| 2023-24 | $775,000 |
| 2024-25 | UFA |
