NHL Rumors: Corey Perry Linked to Former Team

After the controversy that shook the hockey world in November, former Chicago Blackhawks forward Corey Perry has the thumbs up to return to play. Teams are already doing their due diligence on him. 

Speaking on the Donnie & Dhali podcast, NHL analyst John Shannon was adamant about one team that will be high on the list of Corey Perry suitors.

Let me throw one team out at you. It would not surprise me to see Corey Perry's name out in Tampa. I think that he's viewed there as a glue guy... He understood his role there. They are in need of bottom-six forwards there in my opinion right now to try to recapture some of the Tampa Bay magic. So, (in Perry), they'd know who they would be getting... Tampa Bay has to be at the top of the list.

Perry played a key role in the Lightning's run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021-22, a season in which they posted a 51-23-8 record. Perry played all 82 games that season, with 19 goals and 40 points, along with a plus/minus of +9. His performance dipped in his second year there in 2022-23, but, according to Shannon, even at age 38, he's still seen as a strong bottom-six veteran with leadership capabilities. 

As for whether or not Perry has been able to overcome the dubious press he's gotten after the still-unknown incident that led to his being cut by the Blackhawks, Shannon believes he has.

"In talking to teams around the events that occurred," said Shannon, "there were people that were shocked by it. Corey has really smart advisors... and they have worked through these issues. The fact that he was able to, on his own volition, go and talk to the commissioner on his own volition was important."

Perry met with Gary Bettman earlier this week, and the commish ensured him that he's got the green light to return to the ice with a new team. 

On Thursday, we learned of another Atlantic Division team that's also been linked to Perry. 

Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports