Corey Perry opens up about leaving the Edmonton Oilers in free agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preston Hodgkinson

One of the biggest losses for the Edmonton Oilers this summer was Corey Perry.

The 40-year-old veteran had himself an excellent season in the Alberta capital, notching 19 regular-season goals and adding 10 more playoff markers. It seemed like a perfect fit for both Perry and the Oilers, but a tight cap prevented the two sides from signing an extension.

Instead, Perry took his talents to the West Coast, where he signed with the LA Kings in free agency on a one-year deal that carries a $2 million cap hit, as well as an additional $2 million in performance bonuses.

Perry opened up about leaving Edmonton on Monday morning, talking with the TSN 1050 crew while at a charity golf event.

“I do have to say, it was tough leaving Edmonton,” Perry said. “We had a good thing set up there, family-wise, good group of guys, but it’s a new chapter and we’re looking forward to it.”

The decision to join the Kings in free agency came down to a few different things, according to Perry. One of which was a familiarity with L.A. GM Ken Holland, who had previously signed Perry when he was working with the Oilers.

“Kenny, he signed me in Edmonton, and he reached out,” Perry said.

It’s gonna be a bit strange for Perry to throw on a Kings uniform from a few different perspectives. The first is the fact that he spent 14 years playing for the Anaheim Ducks, who are arch-rivals of the Kings.

Second, the Oilers have eliminated L.A. in the first round of the playoffs for four straight seasons, with Perry playing with Edmonton for the last two.

Edmonton is scheduled to face the Kings three times next season, the first of which is a game at Rogers Place on Jan. 10