The Montreal Canadiens finally traded the contract of Carey Price, and that could start a ripple of more moves.
Montreal has a need for another center and could also look to trade a defenseman. NHL insider James Wilson of NHLTradeRumors expects the Canadiens to make more moves after clearing Price’s money.
“The deal finally removed Price’s contract from LTIR status, giving Montreal $4.6 million in cap space now and potentially up to $20 million by the trade deadline,” Wilson wrote. “That flexibility could allow GM Kent Hughes to make another significant addition as the team looks to build on last year’s playoff appearance. Montreal’s biggest need remains at the second-line center position.
“With Kirby Dach healthy but unproven as a full-time 2C, the Canadiens may look outside for reinforcements to play alongside Ivan Demidov and Patrik Laine. The organization has also been linked to Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann. Though the Kraken have shown no desire to move him,” Wilson added. “Beyond center, Montreal will continue monitoring its roster for opportunities to upgrade, with decisions looming on players like Mike Matheson and even Laine depending on how the season unfolds.”
The Canadiens now have the cap space to add an impact player to their roster. Montreal also has plenty of assets in draft picks and prospects to make a big move.
Although Wilson thinks the Price deal could make a move, it may not happen until the trade deadline.
Canadiens Can Be Aggressive After Price’s Deal
Montreal will be able to accrue cap space throughout the season after trading Price’s contract, which is key.
The Canadiens won’t have to use LTIR, which gives general manager Kent Hughes some flexibility. Wilson also believes it could lead to Montreal being more aggressive throughout the season.
“Shedding Price’s contract ensures Montreal won’t be handcuffed by LTIR gymnastics each year. Instead, Hughes and Jeff Gorton can accrue space and make aggressive deadline moves without jeopardizing development,” Wilson wrote. “Extensions are also on the horizon, most notably for Lane Hutson, who will command a deal reflective of his rising value.”
The Canadiens now have just over $4.5 million in cap space, which will be more than enough to add an impact player for Montreal for a hopeful deep playoff push.
Price Shares Message After Trade
Although Montreal traded Price’s contract, he won’t play as his career has been over due to a knee injury.
The Canadiens traded Price’s contract with a 2026 fifth-round pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Gannon Laroque. Following the move, Price took to social media to share a message to Habs fans.
“Always a Hab. Just a teal one for now,” Price wrote.
Price is in the final year of his eight-year, $84 million deal. He last played in the NHL in the 2021-22 season as he the knee injury ended up being too much of an issue.
“It was tough,” Price said to NHL.com about the injury. “I’d spent the better part of that year trying to get ready to play again but it just felt like there was something off. Every time I tried a very slow, calculated return, it was like baby steps. We did that like three or four times to return to play. By the time I got all ramped up to get ready for full-on goaltending, the knee would just swell up. It would get so swollen that I couldn’t do the things that I know I have to do to play the position right and play it well.”
Price is a one-time Hart Trophy winner and one-time Vezina Trophy winner.
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