Corey Perry: agent contradicts Blackhawks’ story

As I wrote earlier today, the situation surrounding Corey Perry at the moment is rather mysterious. The veteran has completely disappeared from the team’s entourage over the past few days, and the club doesn’t want to get into the reasons behind his disappearance.

It’s quite worrying, especially when you consider that we don’t really know what’s going on with him at the moment. Nobody knows if he’s all right or if he’s safe.

Kyle Davidson, the team’s GM, said at noon that Perry’s departure was a team decision rather than a player decision. Again, not necessarily good news.

Until the player’s agent got involved…

In a statement issued in the last few minutes, Perry’s agent, Pat Morris, flatly contradicted the version put forward by the Blackhawks. While the club claims it was his decision, Morris has another version:

Corey Perry has stepped away from the team to deal with personal problems. He and his family would like their privacy respected. – Pat Morris

Statement from Perry’s agent Pat Morris:

“Corey Perry has stepped away from the Chicago Blackhawks to attend to personal matters. Corey and his family appreciate privacy at this time .” https://t.co/rkgVA7QMGs

– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 25, 2023

I don’t know who’s telling the truth here, but the situation continues to get more and more nebulous. Is it the team or the player who has decided to distance himself from the club? There’s no way of knowing for sure at the moment.

Did the Blackhawks play on words to try and protect their player by saying it was their decision? Because in reality, they could possibly say that it was their decision to have accepted Perry’s decision.

But for a team whose transparency has been called into question in recent years, it doesn’t help to believe them.

Again, under the current circumstances, I think we can only wish Perry and his family the best. No one seems to really know what’s going on, so it would be irresponsible to speculate on exactly why.

Let’s hope to see him back in action as soon as possible, once all this has been sorted out.

In gusto

– No changes to the CH lineup, except in front of the net. Jake Allen will get the start.

We’re told there will be no changes to the CH’s attack or defense this afternoon against the Kings.

Jake Allen will be the starting goaltender.

Allen will be looking for his 1st win in 5 games. @RDSca

– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) November 25, 2023

– It’s been a total meltdown for Matvei Michkov’s team in Russia. At least he’s still producing.

In Michkov’s first eight games with Sochi, the club went 8-1. Since then, the club has gone 2-18-1. I can’t recall ever seeing a team go from glory to gloom in the span of 30 games quite so dramatically. To his credit, Michkov has continued to produce, hovering around a ppg.

– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) November 25, 2023

– Nick Ritchie goes to Finland.

Nick Ritchie has signed with Oulun Kärpät in Finland. He attended #stlblues training camp on a PTO and was released before the season.

– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 25, 2023

– Good start for the Carabins.