Edmonton’s hockey scene hums with a restless edge this spring, and at the heart of it is Corey Perry, the 39-year-old winger who’s still scrapping like a rookie. The Edmonton Oilers’ veteran forward, with his grizzled beard and a career spanning two decades, is making waves in the 2025 NHL season, proving he’s got gas left in the tank. Perry’s not just coasting on reputation; he’s delivering on the ice and stirring the pot off it, all while chasing that elusive second Stanley Cup.
On April 16, Perry sealed a 3-0 shutout against the San Jose Sharks with an empty-net goal, a moment that showcased his knack for being in the right place at the right time. It wasn’t flashy, just classic Perry: four shots, one in the net, and a win for the Oilers. That goal came on the heels of a powerplay tally against the same team days earlier, set up by none other than Connor McDavid, the league’s golden boy. Perry didn’t mince words post-game, calling McDavid “the best player in the world for a reason.” The assist and the praise underline Perry’s role—not the star, but the guy who makes stars shine brighter.
Yet, Perry’s season hasn’t been all smooth skating. On April 9, he found himself in the middle of a first-period scrum with St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. It started with Perry poking at a loose puck near the net, doing what he does best: annoying the hell out of opponents. Binnington, fed up, tackled him, and chaos erupted. No penalties were called, but the incident lit up social media, with clips circulating on official NHL accounts showing the tangle. It was a reminder that Perry, at nearly 40, still plays with the kind of edge that gets under skins—and sometimes into fights.
That grit’s been a constant. Back on March 30, Perry stirred controversy in a game against the Calgary Flames. As he left the ice, he hurled an insult at the Flames’ bench, caught on Sportsnet’s broadcast. The NHL referee ushered him off, and no further discipline came, but the moment added fuel to Perry’s polarizing reputation. He’s no stranger to headlines, either. Earlier in March, old wounds from his 2023 exit from the Chicago Blackhawks resurfaced. The team terminated his contract after an internal investigation found he violated policies meant to ensure a professional workplace. Perry issued a public apology, citing struggles with mental health and alcohol, and committed to treatment. By January 2024, he’d signed with the Oilers, a move that gave him a fresh start.
Edmonton re-signed Perry on July 1, 2024, to a one-year, $1.4 million deal, a nod to his value as a “super-pest” and utility player. He’s not racking up points like in his Anaheim Ducks days—where he won the Cup in 2007—but his 16 goals this season, including one against the Dallas Stars in late March, show he’s still got it. Perry’s 1,311 regular-season games, 429 goals, and 1,426 penalty minutes paint a picture of a guy who’s battled through every shift. His February fight with Florida’s AJ Greer, a 6-foot-3 bruiser, proved he’s not shying away from the rough stuff, even as his 40th birthday looms on May 16.
Off the ice, Perry’s made quirky cameos. On September 7, 2024, he popped up at a WWE Smackdown event in Edmonton, holding wrestler Austin Theory so Kevin Owens could land a punch. The Oilers’ official account hyped it as a “classic heel to face turn,” showing Perry’s knack for stealing the spotlight, even in a wrestling ring.
As the Oilers gear up for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Perry’s focus is clear. “There’s one thing left to do,” he said last summer, eyeing the Cup that’s eluded him since ’07. His contract runs through this season, and with 905 career points, he’s chasing a legacy. On April 15, he brushed off comments from the Los Angeles Kings’ Phillip Danault, who called the Oilers’ lineup a “B Squad.” Perry’s response? A curt dismissal, letting his play do the talking.
Perry’s stats this season: 16 goals, multiple assists, and a handful of scraps. His next game’s always a chance to add to the tally—or the penalty minutes.