The Dallas Stars are beefing up their depth scoring by signing former Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. His contract includes an additional $1.75 million in performance-based bonuses.
Welcome to Dallas, Corey!
The Stars have signed RW Corey Perry to a one-year, $1.5-million contract, plus an additional $1.75-million in performance-based incentives. #GoStars https://t.co/LqNTmvBX3o
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 1, 2019
Perry, who was recently bought out by Anaheim, is coming off of a rough year in which he scored only 10 points in 31 games. Those numbers don’t look encouraging at first, but keep in mind that this was after Perry came back early from a knee surgery that was expected to keep him out for the entirety of the 2018-19 season.
Last season, the Stars had only a single forward outside of the top line who scored at least 10 goals: Radek Faksa (15). Assuming he is now fully healthy (or close to it), Perry should provide a nice offensive spark to the Stars’ bottom-six lines. Long gone are the days where he could be relied on for 30-plus goals a season, but given proper usage and some second-unit power play time, Perry could flirt with 15 or more goals this year.
Alternatively, if Perry is unable to bounce back, it won’t be too much of a cost to Dallas. Perry’s deal is very bonus-heavy, a type of “prove-it” deal reserved for 35-year-old (or older) players or those coming off of a year largely missed due to injury. If Perry struggles to find a spot in the lineup, the Stars could always waive him and send him to the AHL.
Corey Perry’s bonuses in DAL could take him up to $3.25M on a one-year deal
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2019
Many fans won’t be happy about the signing — Perry isn’t exactly the most popular player in the NHL — but he is a low-risk, moderate-reward signing that will help fill out the Stars’ bottom-six lineup.
For more information on Perry, you can read our free agent profile on him here.