Corey Perry- $1.15 Million AAV
Last on the list is Corey Perry and his $1.15 million deal. Now I am completely aware that when it comes to an NHL roster $1.15 million should not make or break a team, but I just can't seem to understand why Perry demanded so much money to keep him in Edmonton. We aren't talking about 28 year old Corey Perry we are talking about 39 year old Perry. While he does bring some veteran leadership to the team, I just can't imagine that Perry had a long list of suitors waiting for him.
After his contract was voided by the Blackhawks last season Perry signed with the Oilers midseason. From that point on he was in and out of the lineup a bit and didn't even play in every game in the playoffs. This makes me wonder even more why a player who didn't get regular minutes for you in the playoffs getting more than $1 million.
Just like I said right at the start of this section $1.15 million vs $750,000 shouldn't move the needle too much for this team, that a chunk of money could have gone to a player like Dylan Holloway, so he wouldn't have to sign an offer sheet and would be back with this team.
While I do not know the role that Perry will be playing on the team this coming season, I do know that he will likely be playing on the fourth line. While a $1.15 million fourth liner isn't the worst move a $1.15 million 39 year old Corey Perry is far from the best move.
I am sure that these players will have their positive moments this season and that they are indeed players who will make this team better, the problem I have with them is not their gameplay it is the amount they are getting paid to provide that gameplay. I hope that they all come into this season and prove me wrong, but I honestly do not think they will and that is why they are on this list.