REPORT: Corey Perry May Have Played Most Of The Season With A Sprained MCL

NOTE: While we believe that these reports are true, we cannot guarantee their accuracy given the lack of an official statement from the Ducks organization.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Anaheim Ducks right winger Corey Perry played the majority of the previous season on a sprained MCL.

The information was relayed by two independent sources who were at one of the June season ticket holder event Q&A sessions with Ducks General Manager Bob Murray, who relayed the news to attendees in an uncharacteristically candid information session.

Perry had arguably the worst full season of his career in 2016-2017 with 53 points (19G, 34A) after averaging almost 37 goals per season in the three years prior. Perry was a frequent point of criticism given his star power and team-high cap hit of $8.625 million.

The injury would explain quite a bit of his general performance issues (although 53 points from an injured NHL player is actually quite good) relative to his previous body of work.

Hockey players are notorious for playing through injuries despite it affecting their play. Perry would certainly not be the first player to play through a similar injury, nor will he be the last. However, it is odd that he supposedly played through it for the majority of the season without taking time off on the Injured Reserve list.

Kevin Bieksa suffered a torn MCL in the playoffs this last year and missed a little more than 2 weeks. Perry likely could have rehabbed in a similar amount of time if the reports are true.

Murray allegedly told the season ticket holders at the event that Perry would not need surgery and is expected to be at 100% strength by the start of training camp.