Chicago Blackhawks acquire Corey Perry’s UFA rights from Tampa Bay Lightning

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired the unrestricted free agent rights to forward Corey Perry from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the clubs announced Thursday.

Perry, 38, collected 12 goals and 25 points in 81 games with the Lightning during the 2022–23 regular season. He added two goals and five points in six games with Tampa Bay in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Daily Faceoff‘s Frank Seravalli said the Blackhawks are “hopeful to get a deal done with Perry” before the unrestricted free agent market opens on Saturday.

Perry joined the Lightning in 2021 after losing to them in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals — with the Dallas Stars in 2020 and the Montreal Canadiens in 2021.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim originally selected Perry in the first round (No. 28 overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft. The six-foot-three winger won the Stanley Cup as a sophomore with the Ducks in 2007.

Perry quickly established himself as an NHL superstar in Anaheim, winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal-scorer in 2011.

After being bought out his contract by the Ducks in 2019, Perry joined the Stars on a one-year deal and played a significant part in their surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final that season. He performed similarly with the Canadiens during their Cinderella run in 2021.

Through 1,257 career games over 18 seasons with the Ducks, Stars, Canadiens, and Lightning, Perry has racked up 417 goals and 883 points. He’s added 53 goals and 124 points in 196 career playoff contests.

The Blackhawks have had a very busy draft week. In addition to picking Connor Bedard at No. 1 overall, they added Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno from the Boston Bruins and received a second-round pick from the New York Islanders to take on Josh Bailey’s contract (which they subsequently bought out).