Carey Price, despite being under contract with the Montreal Canadiens, has not been actively playing for the team, yet he remains a revered figure in their history. Since his debut in the 2007-08 season, Price has been a central figure for the Canadiens, but he has faced significant challenges in recent years.
In a revealing interview published by Arpon Basu of The Athletic on July 16, Price discussed his health struggles candidly. He likened the toll of his career to enduring a car crash, even in his mid-20s.
“Even as a mid-20-year-old, you wake up the morning after a hockey game and you already feel like you’ve been through a car crash,” Price shared with Basu. “You know that’s going to take a long-term toll. But you also think, ‘I only have one life to live, and this is what I want to do with my life.'”
Carey Price underwent knee surgery on Friday, and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2021-22 season.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/bbzjy09ShB
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 23, 2021
As Price approaches the later stages of his career, he contemplates the sacrifices made and the impact on his life beyond hockey. He emphasized that despite the physical demands, he avoided strong pain medications, opting instead for Advil when needed.
“I was always cautious [about medication], not venturing beyond Advil,” Price explained. “I had personal connections to that world and understood the potential consequences. So I steered clear of that path, but Advil was always a part of managing the physical toll.”
This candid interview provided insights into Price’s enduring commitment to his career and the personal challenges he has navigated along the way.
Canadiens’ Carey Price ‘Do Miss’ Playing Hockey
The Canadiens selected Carey Price with the 5th overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft. In his rookie season, he earned fourth place in Calder Trophy voting for best rookie and ninth in Vezina Trophy voting for best goalie, boasting a 24-12-3 record and a .920 save percentage.
Throughout his career, Price appeared in 712 NHL games, the second-highest total for goalies who spent their entire career with one franchise, according to NHL.com.
“I really miss playing the game. I miss hockey,” Price shared with Basu. “I hold out hope that one day I might lace up and maybe score a goal or two. Playing goalie again is unlikely due to the strain it puts on my knee. Even when I’m skating with my kids on the outdoor rink, I feel the instability in my knee compared to my other side. But I hope one day I can still shoot around and maybe hit a few goalies in the head.”
Over his career, Price has compiled a record of 361-261-79, including 49 shutouts, with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He signed an eight-year, $84 million extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $10.5 million on July 2, 2017, extending through the 2025-26 season.
Could the Canadiens Waive Carey Price?
Marc Dumont from Montreal Hockey Now suggested on June 11 that the Canadiens should explore trading Carey Price, a franchise legend, to free up salary cap space and alleviate financial pressure for the team.
Dumont emphasized the necessity of placing Price’s contract on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to maximize the team’s financial flexibility, given his ongoing health challenges. Price himself acknowledged in September 2023 that his playing career is effectively over, citing persistent knee issues that severely limit his ability to sustain the physical demands of a full NHL season.
Price’s health problems, exacerbated during the 2021 playoffs and compounded by subsequent setbacks and rehabilitation efforts, have sidelined him since April 2022, when he last appeared for the Canadiens in a game against the New York Islanders.
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