Corey Perry`s long and impactful career is so remarkable that his continued achievements might even surprise him. Currently playing in the 2025 playoffs, his five goals are tied for second-most on the Edmonton Oilers, highlighting the team`s impressive depth among the remaining contenders for the Stanley Cup.
While each of his goals this postseason holds importance, his next one will be particularly special. According to hockey statistics site QuantHockey, his sixth goal would tie him with legendary forward Jean Béliveau for the most playoff goals ever scored by a player in their age-39 season.
When asked about his sustained success, Perry points to his passion for hockey. “I think it`s just a love for the game,” he explained. “That`s why I want to play the game for as long as I can. Once this game passes you by, it`s over, it`s done. There`s no coming back and I`ll move onto something else. That`s why what I want to do is play hockey, have fun and just be part of something.”
The playoffs test teams and players, creating champions and leaving others wanting. For veterans like Perry, this run represents another chance to claim the ultimate prize. He`s already part of hockey`s exclusive Triple Gold Club, having won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, and the World Championship.
Although the article refers to this as his “age-39 season,” Perry actually turned 40 on May 16th, making him the second-oldest player left in the 2025 playoffs, trailing only Carolina`s Brent Burns. Perry`s NHL journey began on October 5, 2005. His first goal came five days later against the Oilers – the very team he now plays for. Since then, he`s amassed 447 goals, over 900 points, and won a Hart Trophy as league MVP. His career is notably as long or longer than the lives of some current young stars like Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith.
This remarkable longevity sparks discussion about how Perry maintains such a high performance level in an era where teams often prioritize youth. Oilers defenseman Troy Stecher noted Perry`s key to success: “He`s been around so long that he understands that you need to find a role… Anyone coming here understands that [Connor McDavid] and [Leon Draisaitl] are probably going to get the majority of power-play time and offensive draws.” Stecher added that Perry hasn`t just accepted a reduced role but has actively “thrived in it.”
Coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized Perry`s value as a versatile forward, providing valuable line combination options. His ability to play effectively on either the fourth line or alongside the team`s superstars like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid exemplifies the Oilers` strategic use of their roster depth, which has propelled them to consecutive conference finals appearances.
Notably, pairing Perry with Draisaitl and McDavid creates a rare combination: a single line featuring three players who have won the Hart Trophy. No other active NHL team can currently boast such a distinction. Knoblauch praised Perry`s consistent contribution regardless of linemates: “Throughout the playoffs, we`ve moved him around the lineup… Whatever position he`s been in, whether it`s the first or fourth line, he`s been able to give us quality minutes.”
Perry is a proven scorer, having reached the 30-goal mark eight times in his career. While he scored 34 goals in 2015-16, his output dropped to 36 over the subsequent two seasons, suggesting a need to adapt his scoring methods. He successfully transitioned into a bottom-six role, contributing secondary and tertiary scoring rather than being the primary offensive threat. His comfort in this new role was evident when he reached double-digit goals twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This adaptability was a key reason the Oilers acquired him last season with a view to him contributing to a playoff run and potentially returning this year. QuantHockey data indicates that 136 players have had an age-39 season in NHL history. Perry`s 19 goals this season match Jaromir Jagr`s total at the same age in 2011-12. Perry`s 81 games played this season tie him for 10th most by a 39-year-old with Brett Hull. Unlike many high-scoring 39-year-olds who relied on the power play, 13 of Perry`s 19 goals this season came at 5-on-5, demonstrating his effectiveness beyond special teams. Knoblauch highlighted this, saying, “He`s reliable because he`s smart… This year being pretty much in a fourth-line role to score 19 goals… For him to do that in his role says a lot.”
Starting his career with the Anaheim Ducks provided Perry a platform to become a star, win a Cup, and become a likely Hall of Famer in the eyes of teammates like Evander Kane. It also gave him the opportunity to observe how veterans like Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, and Teemu Selanne extended their careers. He learned from their daily routines, recognizing that as he aged, he would need to put in consistent work to keep pace with younger, faster players. “It`s the off-ice work. It`s dietary. It`s everything,” Perry stated. “It`s just about doing those different things that you can to keep your body in the best shape.”
Kane, nearing 34 himself, sees the value of older players` experience in the dressing room. The Oilers have been among the league`s oldest teams recently, with an average age around 30 this season. This experience is a significant factor in their success; 11 Oilers players in the Western Conference finals opener had over 70 career playoff games. Four key players – Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, and McDavid – combine for 342 playoff appearances, while Perry adds another 227 games of valuable postseason experience.
Perry`s size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) also benefits the Oilers, who are one of the NHL`s taller and heavier teams – a build that served the Vegas Golden Knights well in their recent Cup win and which the Oilers utilized effectively against Vegas in the playoffs. Kane summarized Perry`s impact: “With Pears, he`s been really good and really good in front of the net. He`s been scoring some big, key goals at key moments for us which is obviously huge. He`s a guy that`s going to be in the Hall of Fame someday, right? He`s been a superstar player in the league for some time. When you have that type of pedigree and you`ve been in the league that long, you understand how to play the game and when you have different skill sets, not just one, you`re able to contribute in different ways and he`s able to do that.”
Duncan Priestley 
Gareth Tenby