Are Perry’s Days Numbered In Anaheim?

Photo: USA Today

By Richard Gonzalez

The Anaheim Ducks are still searching for their new coach. They still need to also figure out what changes or “re-tooling” needs to happen to become successful and be competitive again. Speculation is already brewing in Anaheim as struggling forward, Corey Perry comes in the center of trade rumors and a possible buyout.

The Ducks and Perry are apparently on the same page on terms as moving forward according to TSN’s analyst, Pierre LeBrun. “It does appear that Corey Perry’s days might be numbered with the Anaheim Ducks,” LeBrun said via Insider Trading. LeBrun states the Ducks are in trade discussions with teams regarding Perry and if they can not reach a deal with another club then a buyout might be another option. The NHL buyout window opens Saturday, June 15th and runs through June 30th.

Perry was drafted in the first round, 28th overall, by the Ducks in the 2003 NHL draft. Perry has played in 932 games scoring 751 points (359 goals and 392 assists) all with the Ducks. Perry has won a Stanley Cup, Maurice Richard Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, and multiple All-Star game appearances.

Perry’s production has taken in decline in the last few seasons and has failed to surpass the 20 goal mark since the 2015-16 season. Last season (2018-19) he scored 10 points (6 goals and 4 assists) in 31 games. He was sidelined for most of the season due to surgery for a torn meniscus and MCL.

Perry has two more years left on his original eight-year deal. He is scheduled to make $8,625,000 million dollars for each of the next two seasons and has a no-movement clause. A buyout would save the Ducks approximately $4 million dollars.

The Ducks are in needs of change and the production has not been there for the cost. This is kind of a sensitive situation because Perry has been a vital part of the team since he was drafted and has been here from his beginning. Hockey is still a business and if a player is not helping with the overall success of the team then it is time to go.

A trade will be fairly difficult to complete in my opinion. Perry has waived his NMC per the OC Register’s Elliott Teaford, but the Ducks would have to take on an equal contract of another team’s underperforming player, send assets to accompany a trade, or will have to eat up a chunk of his contract. Also, Perry’s clause allows him to have a say on where he goes. The Ducks best bet would be buying his contract out, which will make Perry an unrestricted free agent. I am not saying a trade is impossible but it would be a lot harder to deal with when having to fix the rest of the team and the complexity of his contract terms.

It is always bad when it has to come down to this but the success of the team should always come first. I am glad that, if true, the Ducks are exploring these options to make the team better. Each year we hear talk about change but we have not really seen a lot of significant actions that have backed up the claim of change. This is a big step on moving forward and hopefully setting up to bring in younger and faster players that can contribute to the success of the team.

Regardless of what happens, I wish Perry nothing but the best and I am very thankful for everything he has done with the Ducks.

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June 8th, 2019