The Blackhawks wasted little time fortifying their roster after placing Corey Perry on waivers for “unacceptable” behavior, completing an in-game trade Tuesday.
Chicago sent the Canucks a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for forward Anthony Beauvillier.
“We interrupt the game in progress to inform you.. WE HAVE A TRADE ‼️” the Blackhawks tweeted at 9:04 p.m. Tuesday during their 4-3 win over the Kraken.
Chicago needed to make a move after announcing earlier in the day it intended to terminate Perry’s contract.
The Blackhawks also recently lost Taylor Hall for the season with a knee injury.
The organization has been scant on any details regarding why it’s moving on from Perry, whom they acquired from the Lightning in the offseason for a seventh-round draft pick.
“After an internal investigation, the Chicago Blackhawks have determined that Corey Perry has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments,” the team said in a release. “As such, Corey Perry has been placed on unconditional waivers. In the event Mr. Perry clears waivers, we intend to terminate his contract effective immediately.”
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson shot down the salacious rumors that had spread on social media.
ESPN reported an incident occurred involving Perry and a team employee last week during a road trip to Columbus, leading to the team’s actions.
“I do want to be very clear on this one point,” Davidson said. “This does not involve any other players or their families and anyone that suggest otherwise is wildly inaccurate, and frankly, it’s disgusting.”
He added: “I think we went through the process as quickly as we could in order to run a responsible investigation. To be honest, over the last 24 hours, what’s gone on has been very disturbing and I feel like I’m wearing it. I’m carrying it. It’s tough to see.”
Beauvillier, 26, had eight points in 22 games with the Canucks this year.
The Islanders initially drafted him with the 28th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and he played six seasons for them before he was traded to the Canucks last January.
“It’s business, right? We need the cap space,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said after a 3-1 win over the Ducks on Tuesday, according to NHL.com. “He’s a guy who was tradeable. We now have the cap space to get the stuff we need down the road. There’s competition in Abbotsford (of the American Hockey League) too. We’ll see what we use with that cap space down the road.”