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NHL rumors: 5 teams who could have interest in Corey Perry

By Brad Berreman

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks awaits a face-off during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 14, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks awaits a face-off during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 14, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit:Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit:Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images /

3. Minnesota Wild

General manager Paul Fenton freed up a bit of cap space via some trades in the weeks leading into the deadline in February, with Jason Zucker and his $5.5 million cap hit likely on the move soon.

Even with a power play that was top half in the league in raw goals and percentage, the Wild were 27th in the NHL in scoring last year (2.56 goals per game). So they could use some extra punch, and Perry might fit on a cheap deal.

Behind the bench, the Wild could find a real advocate for signing Perry. Bruce Boudreau was the Ducks’ coach for five seasons (2011-2016), and may consider Perry to be one of “his guys” who can be a valuable leader “in the room” and offer something notable on the ice if deployed properly. Resurgent performances from Zach Parise and Eric Staal in recent seasons points to Boudreau being able to get the best out of guys just like Perry.

The Wild have moved to get younger and a little cheaper. Perry does not fit that mode, but signing him would not be expensive or require more than a one-year commitment. If Perry can pick his spot, and why shouldn’t he able to?, Minnesota might be it as long as we can assume his relationship with Boudreau was and remains strong.

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