NHL Notebook: Settlement reached on Corey Perry’s contract termination and a look at the top NCAA free agents
By Zach Laing
1 month agoThe NHL and NHLPA have settled on Corey Perry’s contract termination with the Chicago Blackhawks.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, it appears it will result in a “small salary cap charge” coming the way of the Blackhawks, who terminated Perry’s contract on Nov. 29, “after what Perry’s camp alleged was an improper contract termination.” No grievance was filed.
Perry’s contract was terminated after an internal Blackhawks investigation occurred into what they said was “conduct that is unacceptable and in violation of both the terms of his standard players’ contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments.”
Another element of the agreement, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman, is how the incident will be viewed in relation to future contract terminations.
“The key in this case is it cannot be used as precedent in any future termination conversations,” he said. “The players’ association wanted to make sure guaranteed contracts will be protected as much as is possible.”
Perry, who signed with the Oilers on Jan. 22, has since taken “full responsibility” for what occurred, and sought help for “struggles with alcohol.”
“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 told members of the Edmonton media after signing his contract, thanking the family, friends, councillors and support systems he’s had. “I’ve been working with people in the mental health field, and in different fields. It’s been a long time since I got back to this spot, to be back on the ice with players and the NHL.”
Since joining the team, he’s appeared in 20 games scoring five goals and seven points.
The college ranks
NCAA seasons are slowly coming to an end, and that means there will be a slew of free agents looking to find homes with NHL franchises. Last year, the Oilers signed Carl Berglund and the club currently has one open contract spot.
Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis listed a number of college players turning free agents who the Oilers, or any of the NHL’s other teams, could look at signing.
Collin Graf, RW, 21 (Quinnipiac, ECAC)Graf was among the most highly coveted names a year ago, but after winning the national title with Quinnipiac, he returned to school for another season. It was a good call, with Graf sitting just outside the 50-point mark for the second consecutive year. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound forward has a solid frame, high-level hockey sense and a knack for finishing plays in tight. And at 21, Graf – one of the most productive players over the past two seasons – has displayed a level of maturity that few others his age have. I have no doubt Graf will receive significant attention this year just like he did last spring – I believe he has middle-six potential.Jacob Quillan, C, 22 (Quinnipiac, ECAC)Graf’s teammate, Quillan, won’t command the same attention as a junior. But after yet another high-impact season, Quillan is brimming with NHL potential. Quillan scored the title-winning goal a year ago, and it seemed like he never lacked confidence after returning for a third season. He’s likely a bottom-six forward who plays a solid transition game while being a decent penalty-killer, but you need guys like him in your lineup.Dylan Anhorn, LHD, 24 (St. Cloud State, NCHC)At 25, Anhorn is the oldest player on the list. The SCS captain set a personal best of 30 points in 34 games, having shown tremendous value as a two-way defenseman over his four-year college tenure that also included two years at Union College. For a player his age, you’d expect someone who can control shifts, and he does it with ease most nights. He’s so competitive, often dominating his own zone with a tremendous level of energy. He’s fully developed at this point and mostly looks like a depth defenseman for an NHL organization at best.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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