By Scott Powers, Joe Smith and Chris Johnston

Corey Perry, the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL Players’ Association resolved a dispute over Perry’s contract termination by the Blackhawks earlier this season, a league source told The Athletic on Thursday.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in February that the NHLPA had “threatened” to file a grievance over Perry’s contract termination.

Both a Blackhawks spokesperson and the players’ association declined comment when asked about a resolution on Thursday.

Settlements are common in these situations. After the San Jose Sharks terminated Evander Kane’s contract for violating COVID-19 protocols in January 2022, the sides reached a financial settlement. The settlement accounted for the difference in what he would have been paid on the final three years of his Sharks contract and what he was due to receive for those seasons on his new contract with the Edmonton Oilers, the team he signed with following the termination.

The Blackhawks announced on Nov. 28 that they planned to terminate Perry’s contract after an internal investigation had determined Perry had engaged in unacceptable conduct and violated the terms of his NHL contract and the Blackhawks’ policies. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson described Perry’s conduct as a “workplace matter” and not criminal.

Perry, 38, released a statement on Nov. 30 and described his behavior as inappropriate and wrong, and said he started working with experts in mental health and substance abuse to discuss his struggles with alcohol. He apologized to the Blackhawks organization, his family and anyone else negatively affected by him. Perry did not disclose details, but he said he wanted “to make it clear that in no way did this situation involve any of my teammates or their families.”

Chicago acquired Perry from the Tampa Bay Lightning in June and signed him to a one-year, $4 million contract for the 2023-24 season. The Blackhawks hoped he’d provide leadership on and off the ice for a young team. Perry had four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Blackhawks.

Perry signed a one-year contract with the Oilers on Jan. 21. Oilers general manager Ken Holland said he was comfortable signing Perry after talking with Perry, Davidson, the league and others. Perry has five goals and two assists in 20 games for the Oilers.

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(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)