Blackhawks, NHLPA Reach Financial Settlement on Corey Perry Termination

It was one of the most shocking and mysterious stories of the early part of this NHL season, when the Chicago Blackhawks suddenly waived veteran winger Corey Perry and terminated his contract. Now, we have word that the player's association and the Hawks have come to a "financial" settlement on the whole sordid affair.

The NHL and NHLPA have reached a resolution on the Corey Perry contract termination by Chicago from earlier this season.

Ultimately, no grievance was filed on the matter.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 14, 2024

The details of the Nov. 30th off-ice incident that the Blackhawks called "conduct in violation of his contract" are still largely unknown, but the team felt compelled to terminate the contract of the 38-year-old Perry immediately. There was much discussion by the NHLPA in the weeks and months that followed around whether or not Chicago was justified, legally, in their actions, and now, after discussions amongst the team, the NHL, the PA and Perry, it appears that a financial settlement of some kind was arrived at.

Sounds like there is a small salary cap charge coming for #Blackhawks as a result of the settlement between Chicago, Corey Perry, the NHL and NHLPA after what Perry’s camp alleged was an improper contract termination.

Rather than grievance, a financial resolution was reached.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 14, 2024

Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff suggests that a "small salary cap charge" will be applied to the Blackhawks and that an official grievance against an improper contract termination was avoided. 

Perry was traded to Chicago by the Tampa Bay Lightning after last season, and the Hawks quickly agreed with the pending UFA to a one-year, $4 million extension. But his stay in the Windy City lasted just 16 games before the alleged incident took place and forced him out of town.

The 19-year veteran has since signed on with the Edmonton Oilers for the NHL minimum salary, and has fared well in a bottom-six role with five goals and seven points in 20 games, in 12:41 of ice time a night. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports