Anaheim Ducks to buy out long-time forward Corey Perry
The Anaheim Ducks, according to multiple reports, are finalizing the paperwork necessary to buy out the contract of Corey Perry.
They say all good things have to come to an end. However, sometimes the end is tough for everyone involved. That’s certainly the case with the Anaheim Ducks and forward Corey Perry. As recently as the 2017-18 season you could pencil him in for about 50 points a season. However, injuries have derailed his career. The Ducks are reportedly planning to buy out Perry’s contract.
Perry had two years remaining on his deal with an $8.625 million annual cap hit. He has served as their alternate captain since the start of the 2014-15 season. Perry had just six goals and 10 points in 31 games last season after injuries cost him the first few months of the season.
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Here’s what Perry’s buy out would look like.
Cost
- 2019-20 season: $2 million
- 2020-21 season: $2 million
- 2021-22 season: $2 million
- 2022-23 season: $2 million
Annual Cap Hit
- 2019-20 season: $2,625,000
- 2020-21 season: $6,625,000
- 2021-22 season: $2 million
- 2022-23 season: $2 million
While his cap hit looks brutal in the second year, this decision is all about the Ducks saving money. The money they save on him can easily be reallocated into rebuilding their team. Perry’s roster spot will probably be taken by one of their promising forwards. The most likely candidates are Max Jones and Sam Steel.
This is a very sad way for Perry’s tenure with the Ducks to end. He’s undeniably on their Mount Rushmore, as he’s among their franchise leaders in most offensive categories. Perry’s 2010-11 Hart Trophy season might be the finest season in franchise history.
But perhaps the worst thing about Perry being bought out is that it means Perry won’t get to play in his 1,000th career game with the Ducks. He’s currently at 988 games, which is a franchise record. Captain Ryan Getzlaf is at 984 games though, so it won’t stand for long.
Perry will hit the free agent market for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see what he decides to do. He’ll certainly have options. Perry’s resume is an impressive one and, when fully healthy, he could be an effective player in a third-line or fourth-line role.
However, his recent knee surgery, which kept him out for most of the 2018-19 season, could delay his decision. Perry wasn’t close to his usual self when he came back. Hockey players are proud creatures. Perry might not be interested in playing if he’s not confident he can continue to play at a high level.
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This could be a blessing in disguise for both parties. The Ducks can pass the torch onto their younger players and Perry can try to play for another team, unhindered by the burden of a long-term contract and high cap hit.
I don’t think this is the last we’ve seen of Perry, and Ducks fans certainly haven’t seen the last of him. His number 10 should rise to the rafters in the not-so-distant future.