The Tampa Bay Lightning bring back Corey Perry in a trade with the Kings, adding veteran scoring and playoff experience for another postseason push.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have brought back a familiar face, and the move could carry major postseason implications. Tampa Bay acquired veteran forward Corey Perry from the Los Angeles Kings, reuniting the gritty scorer with the franchise he helped during two deep playoff runs earlier this decade.

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The deal sends Tampa Bay’s 2028 second-round pick to Los Angeles, while the Kings will retain 50 percent of Perry’s salary, making the move easier for the Lightning’s salary cap situation.

Even at 40 years old, Perry continues to prove he can contribute.

In 50 games with the Kings this season, the longtime NHL veteran recorded 11 goals and 28 points while averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time per game. For a Tampa Bay team chasing another playoff run, that type of secondary scoring and experience carries significant value.

But Perry’s real impact has always gone beyond the stat sheet.

Across a remarkable 1,442-game NHL career, Perry has piled up 459 goals and 963 points, establishing himself as one of the most durable and productive power forwards of his generation. He’s also known for his playoff presence — something the Lightning know well.

During his previous stint in Tampa Bay from 2021 to 2023, Perry appeared in 163 games, scoring 31 goals and adding 65 points while contributing on the power play.

His postseason résumé is even more impressive.

Perry has played in 237 Stanley Cup Playoff games, the third-most in NHL history, scoring 64 goals and 141 points in the process. Few players in the league bring that level of playoff experience into the locker room.

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The former Anaheim Ducks star also owns one of hockey’s most prestigious achievements. Perry is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, and IIHF World Championship gold medal.

Tampa Bay clearly believes that experience still matters.

And as the Lightning gear up for another postseason chase, Corey Perry once again finds himself exactly where contenders tend to need him most — in the middle of the fight.