The Chicago Blackhawks announced they placed veteran forward Corey Perry on waivers with the intention to terminate his contract.
Perry has been away from the team since last Wednesday.
The Hawks released a statement that an internal investigation found Perry engaged in conduct that violated his contract and the team’s internal policies.
BREAKING: Blackhawks have placed Corey Perry on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 28, 2023
Team statement: pic.twitter.com/8F8ugWj83K
Perry took part in last Tuesday’s morning skate but was a healthy scratch for the game against Columbus the next day.
Perry was tied for third on the team in points and goals at the time he was scratched. That is why his absence was so alarming. Head coach Luke Richardson said it was an organizational decision to have him sit and did not provide any other information.
Perry also was scratched when the Chicago Blackhawks took on the Toronto Maple Leafs last Friday.
General manager Kyle Davidson stated the next day that the veteran would be away from the team for the foreseeable future. He provided no additional details as to why. Perry’s agent put out a statement later in the day that Perry was stepping away from the team to attend to a personal matter.
A statement from Corey Perry’s agent, Pat Morris, on his absence from the #Blackhawks
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) November 25, 2023
Team says it was an organizational decision to have Perry away from the club
Agent says it was Perry’s decision to attend to personal matters away from the team pic.twitter.com/8hVwQi3k8F
Now it appears that Perry did something to the point where the Hawks felt they had to cut ties with him.
Perry is a former Hart Trophy winner. His signing with the Hawks in the offseason was strange since he was considered a villain by the fanbase when he was with the Anaheim Ducks.
He was signed to a one-year, $4 million deal to provide veteran leadership to a young Chicago Blackhawks team.
The move is also a sign that the organization has learned from its past mistakes after the Kyle Beach scandal.
I understand why Hawks aren't receiving the benefit of the doubt.
— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst) November 28, 2023
But their handling of the Perry situation has actually been encouraging to me. It seems like they received a complaint, investigated without comment, and then dismissed the employee.
That's how it should work.
NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis made sure to shut down a malicious rumor going around regarding what Perry did to cause his termination.