Maple Leafs Blew Two Golden Chances to Sign a Playoff Difference-Maker
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could have had Corey Perry on their team twice, but declined and it's something they have regretted ever since.
If the Maple Leafs wanted a playoff performer with the pedigree to back it up, they could have easily signed Corey Perry, who was mulling his future with the Anaheim Ducks and thought Toronto might be a great step in his career.
Toronto's Biggest Mistake May Be Ignoring Corey Perry
First, in 2013, he was thinking of a move to the blue and white before eventually re-signing with the Ducks on an eight-year, $69M contract.
Then in 2021, Perry was raring to go with the Leafs once again but GM Kyle Dubas refuted any attempts to bring him in, because they had Jimmy Vesey.
That worked out great didn't it? 30 games, seven points, and Vesey waived.
Meanwhile, Perry has 62 goals in 298 games including 38 playoff points since 2021 (19G, 19A) and will play in his fourth Finals in six seasons.
Vesey had a horrific season in 2024-25, with only eight points in 43 games with New York and Colorado. While Perry only had 30 points, he's a big reason for Edmonton's success, and Vesey is out golfing.
Corey Perry: The One Who Got Away
If you ask anyone, they would have loved to have Perry join the Leafs, and it's wild to imagine what the team would look like with Perry alongside Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.
To bring him in would have given Toronto's lineup a boost regardless of where he ended up, and if they had gotten his type of playoff production who knows where the team would be now.
He's won a Stanley Cup, is a Hart and Richard Trophy winner, is a former 50-goal scorer, and at 40 years old is still chugging along quite nicely with the Oilers.
Perry even has a target on his back, which isn't too surprising as he's one to grind away at opponents physically and mentally.
But knowing they could have had him twice really hurts. Sure, in 2013 he was only contemplating it, but in 2021 he seemed all-in and was willing to take a deal but it was nixed.
For all the good Kyle Dubas did for the team, this is certainly a move he would regret not making.
So much like has been the story for awhile, Perry is looking towards another successful and impactful season, and Toronto loses out yet again.
| POLL | ||
MAI 29 | 510 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Blew Two Golden Chances to Sign a Playoff Difference-Maker Would Toronto have been better off if they had signed Corey Perry? | ||
| Yes | 422 | 82.7 % |
| No | 88 | 17.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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