So, the Oilers decided to sprinkle some of that sweet, sweet incentive fairy dust on Corey Perry’s contract; they finally came clean with a cap hit of $775K and a tantalizing $325K in potential bonuses. Hey, at this rate, Perry’s earning more money in hypotheticals than most do in reality! Now get this: the dude gets a cool $225K just for lacing up for 10 games. Plus, if the Oilers decide to go all the way to the shiny Western Conference Final and Perry’s found milling about the ice for at least half those games, bam, another $50K! And if by some hockey miracle the Oilers are sipping from Lord Stanley’s Cup, and Perry’s done his half-part-time gig, he snags yet another $50K.
And let’s not forget Connor Brown’s head-scratcher of a deal. Yeesh. After dragging himself through nine games without so much as a goal to his name, the Oilers are desperately clinging to the hope for that elusive win. But the clock’s ticking, and Brown’s monstrous potential bonus of $3.225MM is about to pose a real problem. Edmonton, put your calculators away; this mathematic nightmare is on you.
Diving into the Pacific Division dumpster fire, we’ve got Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy likely chillin’ for three to four weeks with a “maybe, maybe-not” hand injury—because who needs certainty in sports? Despite being practically wallpaper for 25 out of 46 games, the man gets paid $9.75MM. Talk about a sick deal (pun intended)!
Over at the Flames, we have Oliver Kylington, who’s almost ready to make his grand re-entrance after a hiatus for personal reasons. Cleared for practice, he’s smelling that NHL ice again. Is a comeback pre or post All-Star break on the menu? Stay tuned!
And for a bit of good news—because goodness knows the Flames need it—Jacob Markström’s back in the game, stretching those goalie muscles without wincing. He might take up the rear guard or even hop into the net to face off against the Blues. Calgary’s been feeling the burn without him; let’s see if they can extinguish the competition with their main man back between the pipes. They’re currently sitting behind the Predators, so it’s get-it-together time, Calgary!
So there you have it—contract bonuses that could solve the national debt, injury reports that read like suspense novels, and comebacks that make you wonder if you accidentally clicked on a Hallmark movie. Never a dull moment in the Pacific Division, folks!