Corey Perry is 'being waived by the Chicago Blackhawks and will have his contract TERMINATED'... after the team determined he engaged in 'unacceptable' conduct

NHL forward Corey Perry is being waived by the Chicago Blackhawks for the purposes of terminating his contract, according to multiple reports.

In a statement from the team, the Blackhawks stated that an internal investigation found Perry 'engaged in conduct that is unacceptable and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player's Contract and the Blackhawks' internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments.' 

This comes just days after the 38-year-old forward stepped away from the team for 'personal reasons'.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said that it was a 'team decision' for Perry to be held out but did not provide any other information. On Monday, Davidson said Perry wouldn't return 'for the foreseeable future' after missing multiple games.

Perry hasn't logged any minutes in the league this season since a game against the Buffalo Sabres on November 19.

Perry made the move to Chicago in the offseason via a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning before agreeing to a one-year, $4million contract in free agency.

He was kept around to be something of a mentor to No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard, who the Blackhawks hope will become the face of the franchise.

Across 16 games, Perry has recorded four goals and five assists for nine points.

Before he was waived, Perry's agent provided a statement to Hockey Night in Canada, saying he stepped away from the Blackhawks to attend to personal matters and asked for privacy for his client.

'We're taking it just like any other roster move, whether it be injury or trade or whatever,' coach Luke Richardson said.

'That's the coach's duty is to make adjustments on the fly.'

'He's a big part of what we're doing here, so it's unfortunate,' teammate Nick Foligno added.

'We don't know more than that, so I'm not going to comment further, but as far as this room, he's a big part of it. He's well loved and we'll miss him.'