Harry Sinbin said:
I haven't seen Perry play at all this year, so I can't say how his game has improved. I can confirm that this morning's London Free Press does say that he bulked up to 195 pounds in the off season. (He was really skinny even last year, but I guess you don't have to be huge to be 195 when you're 6'3"). That added size and strength could have a lot to do with his improved stats as he has a very good set of hands and a willingness to get his nose dirty, but, in the past, he could be out-muscled in high traffic areas.
In the past he would retaliate (and even initiate stuff) with his stick a lot and, hopefully, he has reduced that habit.
There are a couple of guys on the Bruins thread from London who have probably seen more of him this year and they might even be willing to give a Habs fan their views if you went over there.
Personally, I can't see him being a lock for the World Junior Team since he wasn't even at the summer camp, but I'm sure he'll get an invite to the final evaluation camp and, with so many guys still in the NHL, he would have a good shot at making it.
The biggest difference is that teams pay less attention to Corey than they did last year........A season ago the Knights were a two player team with Wideman and Perry, obviously teams keyed in on Perry in a big way. With players like Schremp, Sheppard, Richmond and Karaga joining the Knights and the emergence of Dylan Hunter, Bolland and Prust.....it's impossible for the opposition to have two guys draped all over Perry for the entire game.
With the extra room this year Perry has put on incredible stick handling displays that rival those put on by Rick Nash a couple seasons ago. Aside from Stickhanling he's also a great passer/playmaker, has a bullet shot that is also accurate and is a very reliable defensive player.
Perry still struggles with Balance at times, but is able to skate through some checks that probably would have brought him down last year.....still falls down too much though, if Perry continues to fill out his frame, his balance will hopefully improve.
Perry
can handle the physical play fine, if he survived the beating he took last season, at his size, than it will only become less of a factor as he gets bigger......and that has been the case so far this season, as he has been dealing out as much punishment as he has been taking.
The WJC seems like a crapshoot this season, but Perry is definitely in the mix, the head scout has been in attendence for a couple of Perry's best games this year, and told the London Free Press that players who weren't invited to the camp will still be given serious consideration.(Referring to Perry)
