Why a Course Correction Between Oilers and Cagey Veteran Makes Sense

The Edmonton Oilers may be looking to get younger this offseason, but bringing back some of the veteran leadership they lacked in 2025-26 isn’t a terrible idea. That could lead to conversations about former Oilers forward Corey Perry, who is unlikely to return to Tampa Bay.

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According to LeBrun, Perry also isn’t ready to call it a career just yet, saying, “I still want to continue to play.” He’d hinted at coming back earlier in the season, but it wasn’t clear if his mind had been officially made up, as he’d toyed with retirement and being with his family full-time in the past. But his kids want him to keep playing, as does he, and the veteran is expected to hit free agency. He’s spoken before about his admiration for Edmonton and when he signed with the Los Angeles Kings in free agency, it wasn’t because he wanted to leave the Oilers.

Edmonton now has to look back on the decision to let him walk away as a mistake.

Perry, 41, proved during his previous stint with the Edmonton Oilers that he can still contribute in meaningful ways. Beyond scoring — including 10 playoff goals during the 2024-25 run — he brought an edge, leadership, and a willingness to hold teammates accountable. It’s reasonable to argue that a lot of that was missing from this year’s Oilers group.

As he once put it: “That’s what makes a team work… You hold everybody accountable. You push everybody’s buttons.” Perry had no trouble doing so, and the Oilers are rumored to be looking for a coach who isn’t afraid to do so, either. The term being thrown around these days is that Edmonton’s stars need someone they are willing to be “coached by”. They could also use teammates who are willing to give them an earful.

That element may be exactly what Edmonton needs. With the pressure often falling on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to lead both on and off the ice, Perry offers a veteran voice who can handle those moments. He’s not afraid to be the bad guy, because in the end, he knows that it’s the good thing to do.

If the price is right on a short-term deal, a reunion wouldn’t just be nostalgic — it could be a smart, complementary move for a team still chasing a Stanley Cup and looking to get back some of that competitive edge. McDavid said it when he said the regular season had become “a little bit monotonous”. It’s a dangerous place for the Oilers to live and they could use veterans who don’t let them think that way.

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