<p>Corey Perry has become somewhat of a villain in Leafs land over the past few years. It probably doesn&#8217;t help that the Maple Leafs played him in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row, once with the Montreal Canadiens and twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but in fairness, he&#8217;s always been a hard player to match up against, and that will only ramp up once the playoffs start. So, when it was reported that the Leafs and Perry had mutual interest in a contract, fans were so taken aback that they had to click to find out what that headline was all about.</p>
<p>TSN 1050 First Up co-host and former Maple Leaf Carlo Colaiacovo <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/report-toronto-maple-leafs-corey-perry-have-mutual-interest">reported the interest</a> in January 2024. At the time, Perry had just received clearance to return to the NHL after an incident with the Chicago Blackhawks that was reportedly alcohol-fuelled. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman cleared him to return to the league shortly before this report leaked, and Perry was remorseful, talking about seeking professional help to avoid any similar incidents in the future.</p>
<blockquote>
<div class="mb-5"><em>“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol, and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again,” Perry said after his release. “I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career.”</em></div>
</blockquote>
<p>The signing never materialized, with Perry eventually signing a contract with the Edmonton Oilers, but suffice it to say, there wasn&#8217;t much disappointment from Leafs fans.</p>
<p>Perry&#8217;s villain arc properly started in 2020-21, during the COVID-shortened &#8216;North Division&#8217; season, when Perry signed a contract with the Montreal Canadiens ahead of a year where the Leafs and Habs would play each other nine times, double the number of times they typically would over an 82-game season. Perry has always been a hard player to play against, but his first true villain moment came in Game 1 of the first round that year when he kneed John Tavares in the head midway through the first period after the latter took a hard knee-on-knee hit that knocked him to the ice. Perry and Tavares had been teammates representing Team Canada in the past, so it&#8217;s extremely fair to suggest that it wasn&#8217;t intentional, but still. When somebody on your most heated rival injures your captain, the fans are not going to be overly understanding, regardless of intention.</p>
<p>Perry went on to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning for the next two years, and in both years, he met the Maple Leafs in the first round again. His Lightning came out victorious in 2021-22, but the Maple Leafs managed to win their first playoff series in 19 years the following year.</p>
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Corey Perry has become somewhat of a villain in Leafs land over the past few years. It probably doesn't help that the Maple Leafs played him in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row, once with the Montreal Canadiens and twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but in fairness, he's always been a hard player to match up against, and that will only ramp up once the playoffs start. So, when it was reported that the Leafs and Perry had mutual interest in a contract, fans were so taken aback that they had to click to find out what that headline was all about.

TSN 1050 First Up co-host and former Maple Leaf Carlo Colaiacovo <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/report-toronto-maple-leafs-corey-perry-have-mutual-interest">reported the interest</a> in January 2024. At the time, Perry had just received clearance to return to the NHL after an incident with the Chicago Blackhawks that was reportedly alcohol-fuelled. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman cleared him to return to the league shortly before this report leaked, and Perry was remorseful, talking about seeking professional help to avoid any similar incidents in the future.
<blockquote>
<div class="mb-5"><em>“I have started working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol, and I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again,” Perry said after his release. “I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career.”</em></div></blockquote>
The signing never materialized, with Perry eventually signing a contract with the Edmonton Oilers, but suffice it to say, there wasn't much disappointment from Leafs fans.

Perry's villain arc properly started in 2020-21, during the COVID-shortened 'North Division' season, when Perry signed a contract with the Montreal Canadiens ahead of a year where the Leafs and Habs would play each other nine times, double the number of times they typically would over an 82-game season. Perry has always been a hard player to play against, but his first true villain moment came in Game 1 of the first round that year when he kneed John Tavares in the head midway through the first period after the latter took a hard knee-on-knee hit that knocked him to the ice. Perry and Tavares had been teammates representing Team Canada in the past, so it's extremely fair to suggest that it wasn't intentional, but still. When somebody on your most heated rival injures your captain, the fans are not going to be overly understanding, regardless of intention.

Perry went on to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning for the next two years, and in both years, he met the Maple Leafs in the first round again. His Lightning came out victorious in 2021-22, but the Maple Leafs managed to win their first playoff series in 19 years the following year.
<h2>Join us for the first-ever TLN Nation Vacation!</h2>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-115002" src="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2099/08/TLN_Nashville_article-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

Alright, hockey fans, this isn’t just a trip—it’s the <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/nation-vacation-toronto-to-nashville-2025">Nation Vacation</a>, and we’re heading to the Music City from March 20th to 23rd! Get ready to watch Toronto take on Nashville in their own barn, soak up the honky-tonk vibes, and make unforgettable memories with the Nation crew. Whether you’re all in for a flight package or prefer a non-flight option, we’ve got you covered. Just don’t wait—spots are limited, and this trip is going to be electric. Book your spot NOW at <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/nation-vacation-toronto-to-nashville-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://nationgear.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734810980719000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0_i7FzyATbvkLHQ3ApMxZH">nationgear.ca</a>. Let’s go, Toronto! Nashville is calling!

Top Leafs moments of 2024: When the Leafs and Corey Perry had mutual interest

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