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Canadiens Could Trade $84 Million NHL's Quarter-Century Team Member

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 12, 2025 9:25 AM ET

The Montreal Canadiens could consider making a huge offseason move by removing one of the franchise legends from their roster, effectively finishing a 20-year partnership.

According to NHL insider Marco D’Amico, the Canadiens could explore trading the final year of Carey Price’s contract to free up cap space and accelerate their rebuild.

“With the Canadiens looking to take the next step in this rebuild, they’ll want to spend more than just $4-6M to improve the team,” D’Amico wrote. “And the best way to do so is to convince a team looking to hit the salary cap floor to take on Price’s contract.”

Price, 37, hasn’t played since April 2022 due to chronic knee issues and is not expected to return.

His $10.5 million cap hit remains active in the Habs' cap room, despite the goalie being on long-term injured reserve. Montreal’s cap flexibility is currently limited, with around $8.7 million in available space.

My latest feature for @PuckPedia below:

How Carey Price's contract could inhibit the Canadiens from being as active as they'd like this summer.

And, more importantly, why July 1 may finally be the right time to pull the trigger on trading him.

⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/E45OlwlvIN
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) May 7, 2025

“Price’s contract is a big anchor for the Canadiens right now,” an NHL executive told D’Amico. “If they want to gain that full flexibility, they’ll be wise to move it.”

D’Amico cited examples like the Coyotes and Blackhawks acquiring contracts from retired players to meet the salary cap floor while working on rebuilding projects and not caring much about adding production to their teams.

Price’s deal could serve the same purpose for another rebuilding team, especially after his July 1 signing bonus is paid, lowering the financial blow for the acquiring franchise.

Price, a future Hall of Famer and NHL Quarter-Century team member, spent his entire 15-season career with Montreal.

He holds franchise records in wins (361 in the regular season, 404 in the RS and the playoffs combined) and games played (712) by a goalie.

Price signed an eight-year, $84 million extension on July 2, 2017. He is willing to waive it to help the Habs financially.

“For sure, any way I can help now,” Price said in Nov. 2023 about removing his NMC. “I’m still a part of the team and if I can help in any way, I’m here.”

Removing Price's contract from their books would give the Canadiens up to $19.2 million in total cap room, per PuckPedia.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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