Always the bridesmaid, never a multiple Stanley Cup champion.

And as far as relationships go, Corey Perry has to have a love-hate one going with the NHL’s most prized possession at this point.

A veteran of 20 NHL seasons — going back to when the team that drafted him 28th overall in 2003 was still calling itself the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim — Perry tasted victory from Lord Stanley’s Mug during his sophomore season in the league back in 2006-07.

And he hasn’t been without his chances lately when it comes to securing a second.

Fast-forward to these playoffs, which saw Perry hit his 40th birthday milestone, and he has reached the Stanley Cup Final for the fifth time in the past six years.

Aside from falling in back-to-back finals with the Oilers, Perry was runner-up in 2021-22 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2020-21 with the Montreal Canadiens and 2019-20 with the Dallas Stars.

That’s five Stanley Cup eliminations in a span of six years with four different teams for a player during a span of his career where most are left wishing they could still be playing.

“Yeah, it’s devastating. I mean, five of the last six, it doesn’t get any easier,” Perry said. “It just doesn’t feel real.

“But you get ready and you move on and you get ready for next season. Hopefully, you have that opportunity to do it again.”

Maybe one day, when the dust has settled on his career, Perry will be able to see it as a pretty amazing ride.

“Maybe in 10 years when I look back,” he said. “Whenever I’m done playing.”

But he’s not at that point just yet, as he’s already turned his attention to next season.

“I just want to win,” said Perry, who was on a one-year, $1.4-million contract. “Hopefully it’s here and hopefully we can figure something out and get something done, because this is a good team and there are some good things ahead.”

E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge

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