Chicago Blackhawks forward Corey Perry was mysteriously absent from Thursday’s practice, a day after he was rendered a healthy scratch due to an “organizational decision” during Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The organization has not revealed the nature of Perry’s transgression, if he’s merely being held out as a potential trade target or if he’s dealing with a personal matter. Without baselessly speculating about the nature of Perry’s scratch, it appears that there was an inciting incident or action based on the nature of the team’s responses, one that will remain in-house for the time being.
Corey Perry, who was scratched last night as a mysterious “organizational” decision, is not on the ice for Blackhawks practice.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 23, 2023
Nick Foligno said “we haven’t really gotten any details” on what’s going on with Corey Perry.
Connor Bedard didn’t know much either: “I’m not going to speak on it too much. Obviously it sucks he’s not here. … He’s a big part of our team.” #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 23, 2023
“I just wanted to start by saying I know you have questions about Corey Perry not playing last night and attending practice today but we’re going to keep that internal in the organization right now,” Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson said Thursday via Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports. “I’m not going to be able to answer any more questions on that.”
Blackhawks alternate captain Nick Foligno provided a somewhat cryptic answer.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys, so it’s kind of a shock at first,” Foligno said via The Athletic’s Scott Powers. “But it’s being a pro. We talk about it and this is an opportunity to do that. It’s the outside noise that you have to push away, whether it’s this or anything else that’s going on in your life.”
“I’m not going to speak on it too much,” Blackhawks rookie star Connor Bedard said of Perry. “Obviously it sucks he’s not here but we don’t really have too much information on it or anything yet, but of course he’s a big part of the team and it sucks he can’t be here today.”
Perry was previously with the team Tuesday, working with Bedard during a shooting drill. It doesn’t appear that Perry will be with the Blackhawks in the immediate future.
In corresponding news, the Blackhawks announced Taylor Hall will miss the remainder of the season due to knee surgery after suffering an ACL injury.
