Veteran forward Corey Perry will make his Dallas Stars debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.
Perry, 34, signed with the Stars as a free agent after being bought out by the only team he’s ever played for, the Anaheim Ducks.
His season debut was delayed after he broke his foot early in training camp.
“I’m excited to get back and be a part of this team,” Perry said Wednesday morning. “It’s an exciting day for me.”
Perry took line rushes with Roope Hintz and Mattias Janmark on the second line during morning skate. He will also play a role on the second power-play unit.
The Stars entered the season with higher expectations after reaching Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals last year, but so far have disappointed with a 1-5-1 record. Head coach Jim Montgomery said he expects Perry to provide another layer of offence to his team.
“Being able to make great decisions offensively in all three zones… he has the ability to make little touch passes that lead to odd man rushes,” Montgomery said. “We also have to know that we’re going to have to watch his minutes in his first game back.”
Perry played 14 seasons with the Ducks, winning the Stanley Cup in 2007. The 2011 Hart Trophy winner has 372 goals, 776 points and 1,110 penalty minutes in 988 career games.
[relatedlinks]
