Carey Price comments on his future as Montreal Canadiens could reportedly look to trade him this season

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Cooper Godin
September 12, 2023 (12:52)

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The rebuilding Montreal Canadiens will enter the 2023-24 season without their star goaltender Carey Price, once again.

Price hasn't played since the 2021 Stanley Cup Final due to a lingering knee issue, which has forced him to spend the last two seasons on long-term injured reserve. Price will more than likely never suit up in an NHL game, which is disappointing for Canadiens fans and hockey fans in general, but his health is the most important thing right now.

While it may seem unlikely, according to Pierre Lebrun of The Athletic the Montreal Canadiens could trade Carey Price this season to clear up their cap situation, although it will be difficult with a $10.5 million AAV, majority of which is covered by insurance. That being said, Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes was able to trade Shea Weber's massive contract to the Vegas Golden Knights in June 2022, so it's certainly not impossible that he could do the same and find a trade partner for Carey Price.

"I think there's always a possibility to do things," Canadiens GM Kent Hughes said. "I don't know what that looks like, and I don't know ultimately if that ever happens, but I certainly wouldn't describe it as an impossibility."

Price, 36, has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $10.5 million and a full no-movement clause. As things stand now, the Canadiens will wait until opening night of the 2023-24 season to place Price on long-term injured reserve, but that could all change if some team comes calling.

Today Carey Price was asked about what his hockey future looked like and if he'd come to terms with the fact that his career could be over.

Well, most likely - barring a miracle. I'm still under contract & I still hold on hope to fact I could play again but the probabilities are falling by the months.

I feel like I could go out there at this training camp and make the team but then I play in a softball tournament and my knee swells up for 2 weeks and I'm like 'OK, a full burden of a season's load, it's not going to cut it.'