Oilers Should Consider Bringing Corey Perry Back in Free Agency

The Edmonton Oilers may have an opportunity to reunite with a familiar face this summer.

Following the 2026 NHL Draft, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois confirmed that veteran forwards Corey Perry and Oliver Bjorkstrand are expected to hit unrestricted free agency when the market opens.

At 40 years old and turning 41 next season, Perry is no longer the player who won the Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy with the Anaheim Ducks. However, he continues to prove that he can still contribute in a meaningful role for a contender.

For the Oilers, the question becomes simple: is bringing Perry back worth the investment?

The Oilers Missed His Leadership

One area that was noticeably different in Edmonton this past season was the leadership group. While Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remain the team’s core veterans, Perry brought something unique during his time with the organization. His experience was invaluable.

Perry has played in countless playoff games and has reached the Stanley Cup Final with multiple organizations throughout the latter stages of his career. Having someone who has consistently been through long postseason runs gave Edmonton another voice in the dressing room—one that younger players respected and veterans listened to.

Leadership isn’t always measured by goals or assists. It’s measured by how a player handles adversity, prepares for games, and keeps a team focused over an 82-game season and four playoff rounds. By all accounts, Perry earned tremendous respect inside Edmonton’s dressing room during his stint with the organization. Losing that presence wasn’t something easily replaced.

He Can Still Produce in Limited Minutes

Age has naturally slowed Perry down, but he continues to find ways to contribute offensively. He finished the 2025-26 season with 17 goals and 37 points in 72 games split between the Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay, proving he can still provide secondary scoring in a sheltered role. Those totals were his highest offensive output since the 2021-22 season.

Perry has also remained an effective net-front presence on the power play. His hands around the crease, willingness to battle for rebounds and ability to frustrate opposing goaltenders remain among his greatest strengths. Even if his foot speed has declined, those skills haven’t disappeared.

The Oilers don’t need him to play 18 minutes a night. A role of 10-12 minutes on the fourth line, with occasional second power-play usage and regular maintenance days, could maximize what he still brings.

A Cheap One-Year Contract Makes Sense

Cap space continues to be one of Edmonton’s biggest challenges. The Oilers have several roster decisions to make this offseason, and committing significant money to aging veterans simply isn’t realistic. Fortunately, Perry likely won’t command a lucrative contract.

A one-year deal around the league minimum or slightly above would represent very little financial risk. If he performs well, Edmonton receives outstanding value. If his game declines further, the contract is short enough that it doesn’t impact the club’s long-term plans. It’s exactly the type of low-risk move contenders often make to improve the bottom of their lineup.

The Biggest Concern Is His Age

Of course, there are legitimate reasons for Edmonton to hesitate. Perry will be 41 before the playoffs begin next season. Even though he remains productive offensively, his skating has noticeably declined over the past few seasons. The NHL continues to get younger and faster every year, and speed has become one of the league’s most important attributes.

That creates a difficult balancing act. The Oilers already have several veteran forwards on the roster. Adding another player in his 40s could make the bottom six even slower, particularly against younger teams that rely on pace and aggressive forechecking. There is also the reality that Father Time eventually catches every player.

At some point, production simply falls off. Edmonton has to determine whether Perry can continue contributing or if last season represented his final productive campaign.

Should Edmonton Prioritize a Younger Option?

This may ultimately be the deciding factor. If the Oilers can acquire a younger winger who provides similar secondary scoring while bringing more speed and penalty-killing ability, that may be the smarter long-term investment. General manager Stan Bowman has repeatedly emphasized building a faster, more balanced roster.

A player in his late 20s or early 30s may fit that vision better than a 41-year-old veteran, even one as respected as Perry. The Oilers also have younger internal options pushing for NHL opportunities, and every roster spot matters.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Perry shouldn’t return—it simply means Edmonton has to compare him against every alternative available in free agency.

Experience Still Has Value

If the Oilers believe they are firmly in Stanley Cup contention, experience shouldn’t be overlooked. Perry has built a reputation as someone who elevates his game during the postseason. He understands the emotional swings of playoff hockey, isn’t intimidated by physical play, and has never been afraid to stand up for teammates or make life miserable for opposing defenders.

Those are qualities coaches love when games become tighter in April, May and June. There are few players in today’s NHL who possess Perry’s combination of playoff experience, leadership and willingness to play in the difficult areas of the ice.

Final Thoughts

Perry isn’t the same player he was a decade ago, and the Oilers shouldn’t expect him to be. What they can expect is a respected veteran who still knows how to score around the net, provide leadership in the dressing room and contribute in limited minutes.

If Edmonton’s priority is adding speed throughout the lineup, pursuing a younger winger is understandable. But if the organization values experience, leadership and a proven playoff performer on an inexpensive one-year contract, a reunion with Perry deserves serious consideration. It wouldn’t be a move designed to transform the roster.

It would simply be about bringing back a veteran who already knows the culture, understands what’s required to compete for the Stanley Cup and could once again provide meaningful value in the moments that matter most.