Seravalli: Edmonton Oilers are on Corey Perry’s list of potential teams he’d sign with

The Corey Perry speculation has continued since it was announced by the league that he is available to sign despite it never being said he was unavailable to sign.

Perry was let go by the Chicago Blackhawks following an “alcohol-fuelled” incident in November, one which Perry has sought help for, after signing a one-year $4 million contract there in the summer. Since then, the rumour mill has swirled around what occurred with no answers in sight.

Now, the most popular man in the NHL has many of the contending teams hoping to get him in their lineups, and rightfully so. Perry is a unique talent with his offensive package but also his ability to be the biggest pest on the ice. Somebody you love to play with but not against. As Oilers fans, we all saw Prime Perry during his days with the Anaheim Ducks and recognized how effective he is.

Those best days are behind Perry now that he is 38 years old. However, he still has much to offer a team. In his brief time in Chicago this season, the former Hart Trophy winner scored four goals and nine points in 16 games, with a couple of those coming on the powerplay. While powerplay time would be limited for Perry, his four goals would be equal to James Hamblin, Adam Erne, and Mattias Janmark’s production this year.

“The Oilers are on a list of five to seven teams,” said Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli on Thursday’s edition of Oilersnation Everyday. “They’ve put themselves in a position where they are in the conversation for his services. I think too they wanted to find out what Perry has been up to since leaving the Blackhawks.

“Perry is a player that eat, sleeps and breathes hockey. He’s a gamer that wants to be out there so I have no doubt that he’ll be back this season. I don’t know when and I don’t know where, but I know that there is mutual interest from that standpoint.”

The Oilers have clear and obvious holes throughout their lineup. It’s likely Ken Holland address them before the trade deadline; however, you only have so many assets to pay for those voids. Perry would cost Edmonton nothing but cap space and would fill a role within the team’s bottom six.

While Connor Brown found a groove last night versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, there’s still no goal production from #28 on the third or fourth lines. Perry provides more competition on the right wing in that bottom six and, with his style of game, could provide a spark for others like Evander Kane.

“He’s hungry to get there (the finals) again,” continued Frank Seravalli. “Remember when Duncan Keith came to Edmonton? His play was fine but it wasn’t Stanley Cup Keith good. However, do you remember how the Oilers reacted under pressure?

“They seemed to have a little more calmness to them and he played a huge part in that. I think having someone like Corey Perry could offer you the same style of thing.”

It’s no secret that Edmonton is strapped for cash. If they’re acquiring a player via trade, then it’s likely a roster player is moving out to create the space. However, if Perry was to sign you wouldn’t have to go through a process which saw you trade the likes of Warren Foegele, Cody Ceci or Brett Kulak.

Instead, Perry likely comes in under a million. Right now, the Oilers have $415K in cap space via Cap Friendly, so if they sent down an Adam Erne, for example, that would give the space you need for Perry.

“I don’t think money is an issue here,” added Seravalli. “This is a guy that has made over $100 million in his career. The money he took in Chicago wasn’t because the Blackhawks offered him the most but because he was swayed by the opportunity to play with Connor Bedard.

“He felt like it would give him a shot in the arm, but ultimately, that didn’t work out and backfired on Chicago. With that, I don’t get the idea that he is going to exclude a team from the conversation based solely on money.”

“The only deadline is March 8th so that he is eligible for the playoffs,” Seravalli continued on Perry’s deadline. “In terms of an authentic deadline, teams don’t know what that is yet. If I am personally handicapping it, given that we are only two weeks away from the NHL All-Star break, the logic would suggest this is something that happens on the other side of the break.”

Perry checks all the boxes for what the Oilers need. Somebody with offence in the bottom six? Check. Somebody with a pesty style? Check. A cheap contract? Check.

Edmonton has thrown the hat in the ring, and now it’s up to Perry to decide if the Oilers are his new home. We may all have to wait a couple of weeks to get the final answer, but for now the dream of him coming to Edmonton is alive and well.