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

2. Edmonton Oilers

Before Perry was bought out by the Ducks, and merely the subject of some level of trade speculation, Darren Dreger of TSN pointed to the Oilers as a potential fit

I’m telling you there’s a market for Corey Perry,” said Dreger. “I look at a team like the Edmonton Oilers, Corey Perry isn’t going to make them younger or faster but Connor McDavid needs some help in the leadership department. If you get Corey Perry on a discount rate on a short term, why wouldn’t you consider that? And I don’t think Edmonton would be alone.

New general manager Ken Holland and new coach Dave Tippett would surely like to add some veterans to the mix this offseason, and a flier on someone like Perry may very well be on the radar now.

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal pointed to Edmonton’s dire need for help on the wing, as well as a leader to go with Conor McDavid. Perry can’t fill the Oilers’ need for more speed up front, but on a one-year deal he wouldn’t have to deliver much production to justify the likely investment. If he can play 60-70 games, 15-20 goals is a perfectly reasonable expectation.

The Oilers lack cap space right now, but pushes to trade winger Jesse Puljujarvi and more particularly center Milan Lucic ($6 million cap hit) will help if they come to fruition. In terms of pure opportunity to rebound, Edmonton may stand out for Perry as he considers his next step.