Corey Perry Opens Up About Emotional Exit From Edmonton Oilers After Consecutive Stanley Cup Final Losses and Trade to Ducks

Veteran NHL forward Corey Perry didn’t hold back when speaking about his departure from the Edmonton Oilers, following two heartbreaking Stanley Cup Final losses. In an interview with NHL.com on July 24, 2025, the 39-year-old opened up with raw honesty and emotional clarity, sharing what it truly felt like to walk away from a team he deeply believed in—both professionally and personally. After just one season in Edmonton, Perry’s time with the Oilers ended in a trade that sent him back to where it all began: the Anaheim Ducks. While the move makes sense from a management perspective after Edmonton’s two-year Stanley Cup shortcomings, for Perry, the shift is layered with personal grief, gratitude, and a sense of unfinished business.

Perry described the exit as “sad and tough,” a short but powerful phrase that captures the weight of the decision and its emotional cost. Though he wore the Oilers jersey for just one season, Perry became deeply woven into the fabric of the team and the city. His voice cracked as he spoke about the connections he made—not just with his teammates, but with their families, the fans, and particularly with the local hockey community where his young son had begun forming friendships and memories. “You don’t expect to get that attached in one year,” Perry admitted. “But Edmonton welcomed us in like family. My son had teammates, little guys he practiced with and looked up to. Leaving that behind is probably the hardest part.”

Perry joined the Oilers ahead of the 2024–25 season on a one-year, $1.4 million deal, a low-risk, high-upside signing aimed at infusing the roster with playoff grit and veteran leadership. He brought with him a long resume of postseason experience, including a Stanley Cup win with Anaheim in 2007, and later deep playoff runs with Dallas, Montreal, and Tampa Bay. For the Oilers, who had a star-studded core led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, adding Perry was about complementing their elite skill with proven leadership. On the ice, he filled that role admirably, recording 22 points over 67 regular-season games and contributing eight crucial points in the playoffs. While not dominant statistically, Perry’s presence was felt in timely goals, board battles won, and veteran poise in high-pressure moments.

Still, as the Oilers fell short of their Stanley Cup aspirations for a second straight year—losing again in the Final—the front office was left with tough decisions. A shakeup was inevitable. Changes had to be made to avoid stagnation and signal that second place was no longer acceptable. In the ensuing roster reshuffling, Perry was part of a multi-player deal that sent him to Anaheim, a team undergoing its own identity shift and hoping to balance youth with experience. It was a full-circle moment for Perry, who spent the first 14 seasons of his career in Anaheim and won his only Cup there.

Yet returning to Anaheim didn’t soften the blow of leaving Edmonton. “It’s hard because I really believed in that group,” Perry said. “The core is phenomenal. McDavid, Leon, Nuge [Ryan Nugent-Hopkins], Hyman—they want it so badly. And they’re right there. I thought we could do it this year. And we came so close again. To be that close twice, and not finish it, that sticks with you.”

The emotional toll was apparent throughout the conversation. Perry’s comments weren’t bitter or resentful; rather, they were filled with appreciation for the opportunity and heartbreak over what might have been. He spoke with admiration for head coach Kris Knoblauch and the Oilers’ locker room culture. “There was never any ego in that room. Guys were just dialed in. Everybody wanted to win for each other. That’s rare.”

Perhaps the most telling insight came when Perry reflected on his son’s reaction to the trade. “He didn’t understand why we had to leave,” Perry said, his voice softening. “He made his first real friends in Edmonton. Those early hockey connections, the teammates, the rink time—that stuff matters to a kid. And to me, as a dad, that made it even harder. You want to win for your team, but also for your family. When we were in the Final, I could see it in my boy’s eyes—he thought we were going to do it. He was proud. And then, when we didn’t, and now we’re moving again, you just hope he understands one day.”

For all the heartbreak, Perry remains professional and forward-looking. Entering his 20th NHL season, the veteran forward has seen the highs and lows of the league. He’s played in nearly every type of playoff scenario and is no stranger to the business side of hockey. “You play long enough, and you know nothing’s permanent,” he said. “But that doesn’t make it easier. Especially when you believe you had one more shot with a team like that.”

Back in Anaheim, Perry sees an opportunity to bring experience to a younger group. The Ducks, who’ve struggled in recent years, are aiming to take a competitive step forward. Perry’s return is both symbolic and strategic. He’s expected to help mentor prospects, bring a hard-nosed edge to the lineup, and perhaps offer one last push in a storied career. But even as he settles into familiar surroundings in California, part of his heart remains in Edmonton. “It’s funny,” he said with a wry smile, “you go back to where it all started, but it’s not the same as leaving a place that gave you hope again. Edmonton did that for me.”

Perry’s departure also marks a subtle passing of the torch. His leadership presence, while no longer on the Oilers bench, has left a lasting imprint. Younger players like Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, and even some of the core stars have spoken publicly about the impact Perry had on the team’s focus and maturity. “He came in and just knew how to handle those moments,” one teammate was quoted as saying. “It’s not always about what he said—it’s how he carried himself. You could tell he’s been through every situation. That rubs off.”

Ultimately, Perry’s reflections are a testament to the human side of sports. Trades, contracts, and results dominate headlines, but behind each transaction is a person navigating change, loss, and hope. For Corey Perry, the move away from Edmonton wasn’t just about hockey. It was about leaving behind a team he believed in, a city that embraced him, and a community where his family found connection. And while he’s ready to compete in a new chapter, he carries Edmonton with him.

“I’ll always be grateful for the chance they gave me,” Perry concluded. “And if they get over the hump next year, no one will be cheering louder than me—except maybe my son.”

In a league driven by performance and trophies, Corey Perry’s exit from Edmonton serves as a powerful reminder: behind every player is a story much bigger than the stats. And sometimes, the toughest goodbyes are the ones that come after giving everything you have to something you truly believed in.