F Corey Perry leaves Kings to deal with illness in family

Field Level Media|published: Wed 7th January, 15:57 2026

NHL: Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings

Jan 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (10) skates back to the bench after scoring a a power-play goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings designated forward Corey Perry to non-roster playing status on Wednesday so the 21-year veteran can return home due to an illness in his family.

The Kings also recalled forwards Andre Lee and Taylor Ward from Ontario of the AHL on an emergency basis after captain Anze Kopitar (lower body) and fellow forward Joel Armia (upper body) were ruled out of Wednesday's home game against the San Jose Sharks. Both were injured on Monday in a 4-2 home win over the Minnesota Wild.

A four-time All-Star, Perry has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 35 games this season. The 40-year-old signed a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason with an additional $2 million in performance bonuses.

Kopitar, 38, has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 37 games, while the 32-year-old Armia has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 41 games.

Lee, 25, made his NHL debut last season and posted three points (one goal, two assists) in 19 games with the Kings. Ward, 27, also debuted last season with Los Angeles, scoring his first goal in his only game.

--Field Level Media

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