Insider: Western Conference Team "Authentic Candidate" For Corey Perry

The fact that unrestricted free agent Corey Perry had his name dragged through the mud in NHL circles back in November certainly hasn’t stopped a flurry of rumored interested teams from emerging. The latest Cup hopeful to be linked to the former Chicago Blackhawks forward are the Edmonton Oilers.

Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff had this to say in assessing Perry’s fit for Edmonton’s bottom-six:

I think the Oilers are an authentic candidate. I think when you consider their roster and how, for whatever reason, going back to even the Puljujarvi days, the right side of their lineup has always kind of been slightly thin and I think that part makes a ton of sense. 

Seravalli points to another important element, aside from on-ice fit, that the 18-year playoff-hardened veteran can bring the Oilers: 

(He’s a) talented player, someone that has had lots of playoff success, three straight Stanley Cup finals… and of course won one to start his career with the Anaheim ducks…  He’s just someone that oozes competitiveness, and I think that’s one thing at times, from a consistent standpoint… talking about the (Oilers) bottom six, I’d like to see just a little something different that someone (like Perry) brings to the table. 

Perry, despite his advanced age (38), was off to a nice start to the season, with nine points in 16 games, playing just under 15 minutes a night. He was brought in by the Blackhawks in a draft day trade and then signed to a one-year $4 million contract to bring some veteran, leadership qualities to the young Blackhawks team. That part kind of melted down in Chicago, but perhaps the Oilers, who have been looking to take that next step in the Stanley Cup playoffs, can use his experience in another way.

After a dreadful start to the season, the Oilers are currently riding a 9-game win streak heading into Saturday night, and despite the recent success, are still looking to beef up the roster for the second half. 

Two other Eastern Conference playoff contenders have already been linked to Perry as well. 

Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports