‘It was tough leaving Edmonton’: Corey Perry talks about signing with rival Kings

Corey Perry is a rival of the Oilers once again.

Following a strong year-and-a-half run with Edmonton, Perry inked a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1.

This is a return to familiar territory for the veteran winger. Drafted in the first round back in 2003 by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Perry spent the first 14 seasons of his career in Southern California, racking up 372 goals and 776 points in 988 games with the Ducks.

That said, the move still came as a bit of a surprise. Reports in June suggested Perry was looking to re-sign with Edmonton, with his top priority being a Stanley Cup. Given that the Oilers have knocked the Kings out of the playoffs four years in a row, Los Angeles doesn’t exactly scream “best shot at a ring” for the 40-year-old chasing his first title since 2006-07.

Perry joined TSN 1050 in Toronto on Monday and explained that the deal with L.A. came together quickly thanks to his relationship with former Oilers GM Ken Holland. He also admitted it wasn’t easy walking away from a good situation in Edmonton.

“It came about pretty quick. Kenny (Holland) signed me in Edmonton, so he reached out,” Perry told TSN 1050.” I have to say, it was tough leaving Edmonton. We had a good thing set up there family-wise, and there’s a great group of guys. But it’s a new chapter, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Perry’s deal with the Kings includes a $1 million base salary, a $1 million signing bonus, and up to $2 million in performance bonuses. That’s a solid bump from the $1.4 million he earned with the Oilers last season, which included $250k in bonuses on top of his $1.15 million salary.

The hope in L.A. is that Perry can keep turning back the clock late in his career. Last season, he scored 19 goals and 30 points across 81 regular-season games, all while averaging just 11:56 of ice time per night. He followed that up with 10 goals in 22 playoff games, tying his career high for a single postseason run.

“These playoffs, I probably felt the best I have in five or six years,” Perry added. “When you still have that competitiveness and that willingness to go to the rink every day, put a smile on your face and work hard and have fun, … It keeps you going.”

Perry and the Kings will make their first trip to Edmonton of the 2025-26 season on January 10. The Oilers will visit Los Angeles on February 26 and April 11, wrapping up the three-game regular-season series between the two teams.