The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly in the final stages of securing a deal with unrestricted free agent forward Corey Perry. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period first broke the news, citing sources close to the matter. Although the Oilers have yet to confirm the signing officially, various reputable sources suggest that an announcement may be imminent. The Oilers may address the news as early as Monday morning.
Frank Seravalli, a prominent hockey insider, provided insights into the ongoing negotiations. He acknowledged the exhaustive process, involving careful consideration of various factors, and revealed that multiple teams, including the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Tampa Bay Lightning, were in the running for Perry. Seravalli hinted at the deal trending positively and hinted at a near-league-minimum salary for Perry.
Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic corroborated the reports, indicating that Perry is set to join the Oilers for the remainder of the season. Johnston anticipates a contract structure that includes a manageable pro-rated salary and performance bonuses. Ryan Rishaug a TSN correspondent covering the Oilers extensively, added that an official announcement is likely to be made on Monday, if not sooner.
Tom Gazzola, an insider for the Hello Hockey Show, had earlier hinted at the possibility of a connection between the Oilers and Perry. He noted that there had been some ongoing discussions.
Oilers Made Sure Corey Perry Was A Good Fit
The decision to bring Perry on board was not made hastily. Frankly, the Oilers took their time in evaluating the fit and conducting due diligence. Perry, who has been actively skating and training, could potentially join the Oilers’ lineup as early as this week. They could also decided to bring him in slowly and introduce him to the lineup after the All-Star break.
The delay in finalizing the deal may have been attributed to the Oilers’ careful examination of Perry’s situation with the Chicago Blackhawks, where his contract was terminated. The team appears to be comfortable with the circumstances. That goes with the Oilers’ history of offering second chances to players with a track record of success.
Specifics of Perry’s contract remain unclear, but expectations are that it will be close to the league minimum. However, any such move would necessitate corresponding roster adjustments to comply with salary cap requirements, as per CapFriendly,.
With Perry potentially joining the Oilers’ lineup this week, fans eagerly anticipate how he will impact the roster. The team is trying to close out January with three more wins and upcoming challenges against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, and Perry’s former team, the Chicago Blackhawks.
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