Who was Corey Perry before Corey Perry was Corey Perry?
Ken Linseman maybe? Might be as close as anyone. Like Perry, he had 1 Cup, but played in the postseason a lot. Put up good but not great numbers. Was a rat on the ice, literally had the nickname "Rat" Linseman.
As for Perry, I think he might be that kind of guy that checks off a lot of boxes that the Hall of Fame committee likes. I just don't think he had enough elite seasons to get by though. It is strange because you figure he was a guy who could still put up good years in his 30s but he didn't for some reason. After 2016 he didn't seem like the same type of player. Still serviceable, but not in a dangerous offensive way. Probably should have done more in his 20s in order to get a spot confirmed in, but my guess is they'll look at certain other aspects to his career. He was always on Team Canada, he always played well, he probably is the type of player whose value isn't always on the scoresheet. He had a knack of playing big in big games. He has the Hart trophy, plus a 50 goal season. Not to mention he is at 196 playoff games. He'll get over 200 this year. Should that matter? I don't think so, but there aren't plenty of guys who played in 200 or more playoff games. 23 in total. And out of those 23, Mike Keane, Claude Lemieux and Kris Draper are the only ones not in the Hall of Fame. Kevin Lowe shouldn't be in, but he is, and others like Chara and Jagr are expected to make it (honestly, who thought Chara had played in that many playoff games?)
So I think there are those intangibles that will pay off for Perry that the committee will like.