Report: Corey Perry cleared to return to the NHL after meeting with Gary Bettman

According to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Corey Perry has been cleared to return to the NHL after recent discussions with commissioner Gary Bettman.

Perry had signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 offseason, coming in to provide a steadying force for Connor Bedard and the other young Blackhawks’ players.

That didn’t go as planned, as the Blackhawks terminated Perry’s contract on November 30. At the time the team released a statement saying “(Perry) engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation of both the terms of his standard player’s contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments.”

Following the incident, Perry apologized by saying, “I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates. I would also like to apologize to my fans, and my family. I am embarrassed and have let you all down.

“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career.”

The veteran is now an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team in the NHL. In order for him to be eligible for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Perry would have to sign before the NHL’s trade deadline on March 8.

The 38-year-old forward has 421 goals and 892 points in 1,273 games between Anaheim, Dallas, Montreal, Tampa Bay and Chicago.

Perry won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player back in 2011. Among other accolades, Perry won the 2007 Stanley Cup with the Ducks, gold at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with Canada.