The Edmonton Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final on Wednesday night with a 1-0 overtime win in Game 5 over the Vegas Golden Knights.
While the team waits for their opponent as the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars keep fighting each other, a brief moment off the ice offered a glimpse into the possible NHL future of 40-year-old forward Corey Perry.
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Perry’s son, Griffin, appeared to hint at a timeline for his father’s career after the Oilers’ 3-0 win in Game 4 during his father’s interview with Sportsnet’s Colby Armstrong.
When the host and the forward discussed Leon Draisaitl’s comment suggesting Perry could play until 50, Griffin was asked about that claim and responded by sharing something he had heard at home.
Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry (90) battles with Los Angeles Kings defensemen Drew Doughty (8) at Rogers Place.Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
“My mom says one more year,” Griffin said.
Perry was asked about Draisaitl’s praise and responded with a smile and a humble answer.
“It’s a pretty nice compliment coming from a guy that is probably top three in the world on the ice,” Perry said. “He didn’t say the rest of the sentence that he said, but my boots may not be there. I got a chuckle out of that one.”
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Perry is about to complete his 20th NHL season and will become an unrestricted free agent come July 1 when his one-year, $1.15 million contract expires.
The veteran forward signed his last multi-year deal in July 2021 when he inked a $2 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Perry has five goals and two assists for seven total points in nine playoff games with Edmonton this year after completing the regular season, bagging 30 points in 81 outings.
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