Former Vezina winner gives a bitter update on his NHL future
In his prime, Carey Price sparked debates about whether he was the best hockey player in the world.
But now, it’s likely it will debated where Price ranks among the NHL’s best after the 36-year-old goaltender all but confirmed a lingering knee injury has ended his NHL career.
“The honest thing is right now it’s just not going to happen, to take the stress of the goaltending position it’s not where it needs to be,” Price said, via the Daily Faceoff. “So for now, I’m just going to continue to try and rehab my knee to a position where it’s fit for life in general.”
Price has played just five games over the last two seasons. His last appearance was against the Florida Panthers on April 29, 2022. He’s been battling a knee injury since the 2021 offseason — one that forced him to miss most of the 2021 season and all of last year. Price had surgery to fix the issue, but he’s dealt with numerous setbacks along the way.
The Montreal Canadiens are expected to place Price on long-term injured reserve for the 2023 season, marking the second straight year he’ll spend all 82 games on LTIR. The seven-time All-Star has a $10.5M salary each of the next three seasons, and the Canadiens could trade Price’s contract like they did with defenseman Shea Weber to create some cap flexibility — a move he said he’s open to if it helps Montreal become more competitive.
“Whatever the team has to do – if they have to move money to make this team better — I’m here to help in any way I can.” Price said. “Everyone knows hockey is a business. Money management and cap space is part of that; I’m going to be a Montreal Canadien for the rest of my life and I’m very proud of that, so I’m willing to help this team in any aspect.”
Price has spent his entire 15-year career with the Canadiens, winning 361 games with a 2.51 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. He’s been to seven All-Star games and has won a Vezina Trophy, given to the league’s top goaltender, a Hart Trophy, given to the league’s MVP, and a Ted Lindsay Award, given to the most outstanding regular-season player as voted on by the NHL Players Association.
Price has several Canadiens franchise records including wins, saves (19,304) and minutes played (42,005). Among goalies to start 100 or more games in Montreal, Price ranks third in shutouts (49), fifth in save percentage and eighth in goals-against average.
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