It started as a joke around the NHL, but Corey Perry might actually be cursed when it comes to the Stanley Cup Final. Following the heart wrenching loss to the Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers‘ veteran joined a dubious list for most losses in the decisive stage.
Back during his days with the Anaheim Ducks, Perry conquered the Stanley Cup for the first time during his second season in the NHL. It seemed him and Lord Stanley would form an ever-lasting bond. In a rather gruesome way, they kind of did.
Perry is now near the top of the leaderboard for most Stanley Cup Final losses, including an infamous skid of recent collapses. Having him on the roster is seemingly a double-edged sword, as he almost guarantees deep playoff runs. But the precedent is far from great during the biggest stage.
Reaching the Stanley Cup Final is not an easy task, thus being among the players with the most losses in this stage is a feat reserved for very good players. It might be a matter of luck, rather than skill. Thus, after losing to the Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, Perry joined an infamous list, led by one of the sport’s best players of all time.
Who holds the record for most Stanley Cup Final losses?
Thousands of elite talents have played in the NHL. Yet only one ever earned a nickname as powerful as ‘Mr. Hockey’. In order to accomplish such an alias, one must truly live through every possible experience in hockey. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind Gordie Howe did just that.
While he’s won four Stanley Cups in his NHL career, Howe actually leads the league all-time for most losses in the Final. The Detroit Red Wings legend fell short of the Cup on seven occasions.
Perry sets head-scratching records
Following last year’s loss to the Cats, Perry became the first player in NHL history to reach the Finals with five different franchises. However, after this season’s runner-up finish, he is now the only player in NHL history to lose five Finals with four different teams.
Is Perry retiring after yet another Final loss?
While many would consider giving up after so many deflating losses, Perry isn’t like everybody else. “This is why I’m still playing, to have [my son] get an opportunity to feel and touch the Stanley Cup,” Perry said prior to this year’s Cup Final.
“Perry said he has never seriously considered retiring, and he doesn’t plan to do so this summer. He intends to play a 21st NHL season in 2025-26,” as reported by YardBarker.