Kevin Bieksa Offers Candid Breakdown of Corey Perry’s Shooting Style: Deception Over Power
During Game 3 of the intense playoff battle between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights, former NHL defenseman and now Sportsnet analyst Kevin Bieksa took a moment to deliver a pointed and insightful analysis of Oilers veteran forward Corey Perry’s shooting technique. Known for his no-nonsense commentary and years of experience playing in the NHL, Bieksa didn’t hold back as he shared his thoughts on what truly makes Perry dangerous in the offensive zone.
At first glance, it may seem surprising that Bieksa—who played over 800 NHL games and faced off against Perry numerous times—would openly critique the shot of a player who has racked up more than 500 goals over his illustrious career. But Bieksa’s comments weren’t meant to diminish Perry’s accomplishments; rather, they provided a nuanced explanation of how Perry scores in ways that defy conventional expectations.
“He doesn’t have a good shot,” Bieksa said bluntly during the broadcast, quickly capturing the attention of viewers. “He doesn’t even have a real shooting stick.” While that might sound like a harsh criticism at first, Bieksa went on to clarify what he meant—offering a detailed look into Perry’s unconventional shooting style that has allowed him to thrive for nearly two decades in the league.
Unlike some of the league’s elite snipers known for their blistering one-timers and high-velocity wristers, Perry has carved out a niche by being one of the most deceptive scorers the NHL has seen. Bieksa explained that Perry’s stick setup is unlike what many players use today. Instead of a long blade or aggressive curve designed for maximum shot power, Perry opts for a shorter blade with only a modest toe curve. This allows him to make micro-adjustments in tight spaces, subtly shifting the angle of his shot in ways that are difficult for goaltenders to read.
“Corey Perry is the most deceptive shooter you’ve ever seen,” Bieksa continued. “He’s not going to blow the puck past the goalie. But what he does better than almost anyone is make it impossible to predict where the puck is going.”
Bieksa emphasized that Perry’s real skill lies in his ability to fool netminders with these subtle movements. Whether he’s in close, coming off the half wall, or working in traffic near the crease, Perry uses body language and slight changes in hand positioning to mislead goalies about where the puck is headed. It’s a skill that’s hard to quantify but has proven incredibly effective over the course of his career.
“He doesn’t wind up. He doesn’t take big shots. He just makes you think the puck is going one way, and then it ends up somewhere else,” Bieksa added. “And that’s why he’s still able to score, even now.”
At 39 years old, Corey Perry may not be the fastest player on the ice anymore, nor does he command the kind of highlight-reel attention that younger stars like Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl attract. But his value to a team like the Oilers goes far beyond stats or flash. His hockey IQ, veteran presence, and ability to perform in high-pressure moments remain key assets—particularly during the postseason, where scoring becomes tougher and experience matters more than ever.
Bieksa’s comments also offered a subtle reminder of how success in the NHL doesn’t always come down to raw power or textbook technique. In a league where players are constantly trying to find an edge, Perry has managed to stay relevant by adapting his game to rely on deception and smarts over pure mechanics.
Over the years, Perry’s stick choices and unique release have become something of a signature. Coaches and goaltenders alike have studied his game, trying to decipher exactly how he manages to remain so effective with what appears to be an unorthodox shooting approach. But as Bieksa explained, that’s exactly what makes him dangerous—his unpredictability is his greatest weapon.
“He’s the kind of guy you think you have figured out,” Bieksa said. “But when it comes down to it, he’s got a way of getting the puck into the net that’s different from almost anyone else.”
The timing of Bieksa’s analysis couldn’t have been better. In a game where the Oilers needed contributions from across the lineup, Perry once again demonstrated his knack for finding the back of the net—using a quick, deceptive release to score from a tough angle, leaving the opposing goalie guessing. It was a perfect illustration of the exact traits Bieksa was highlighting.
On social media, fans reacted strongly to Bieksa’s remarks, with many praising the analyst for providing such an honest and technical breakdown of a veteran player’s game. Some viewers admitted they had never considered the mechanics behind Perry’s success in such detail, while others noted that Bieksa’s experience as a defenseman brought valuable insight into what makes a player like Perry so frustrating to defend.
In a sport where many discussions revolve around speed, power, and shot metrics, Bieksa’s take was a refreshing reminder that there’s more than one way to score goals—and that intelligence and subtlety can be just as lethal as a booming slapshot.
As the playoffs roll on and the stakes continue to rise, Corey Perry’s deceptive approach could once again prove to be a difference-maker for the Oilers. And thanks to Kevin Bieksa’s sharp-eyed analysis, fans now have a deeper understanding of the underrated art behind Perry’s shooting success.
