Lightning get a pick for Corey Perry’s signing rights

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up another lottery ticket for next year’s draft in the form of Chicago’s 2024 7th round pick in exchange for Corey Perry’s UFA signing rights.

In layman’s terms, Chicago paid a 7th round pick next year to speak to Corey Perry and sign him to a new contract two days early. Chicago are making a push to surround top prospect Connor Bedard with as much veteran leadership and talent as they can. The current roster is barren, so spending a little bit (like $4 million on Nick Foligno) is worth it.

The Lightning were going to let Perry walk to free agency, so this makes no difference on their end, except they get a free pick.

To repeat, this pick is not for the draft that is on-going, meaning the Lightning will still pick three times in the 6th and 7th rounds, but it is for 2024. The Lightning now have six picks (all in the 3rd round or later) in next year’s draft.