The Chicago Blackhawks have made a sudden move by waiving veteran winger Corey Perry after just 16 games. The team cited “unacceptable” conduct that violated both his contract and the Blackhawks’ team policies. Perry, 38, faces an uncertain future in the league following this unexpected development.
Key Points and Timeline:
Thursday, Nov. 30:
- Perry releases a statement issuing a broad apology for unspecified actions.
- Expresses commitment to working with mental health and substance abuse experts to address struggles with alcohol.
Wednesday, Nov. 29:
- Perry clears waivers, prompting the Blackhawks to terminate his contract immediately, making him a free agent.
Tuesday, Nov. 28:
- Blackhawks place Perry on unconditional waivers with the intention to terminate his contract.
- Chicago conducts an internal investigation, finding Perry’s conduct unacceptable and in violation of contractual and internal policies.
- If Perry clears waivers, the Blackhawks plan to terminate his contract immediately.
- General manager Kyle Davidson clarifies that the incident is workplace-related, not involving criminality or other players’ families.
- ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports that the matter allegedly involves a team employee during the Blackhawks’ visit to Columbus.
Saturday, Nov. 25:
- Perry, labeled as away from the team for the “foreseeable future,” has been a healthy scratch for two consecutive games.
- Blackhawks’ decision to keep Perry away from the team is made internally.
- Perry’s agent, Pat Morris, discloses that Perry is attending to “personal matters,” emphasizing the need for privacy.
The abrupt dismissal of a seasoned player like Perry has left both fans and the hockey community shocked. The lack of specific details regarding Perry’s actions adds an air of mystery to the situation, making it a topic of keen interest and speculation. As the veteran winger faces an uncertain future, the Blackhawks navigate the aftermath of this unexpected development, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a professional and safe work environment within the organization.