Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who is still struggling with his recurring knee injury, may be sidelined for the entire 2022-2023 season, general manager Kent Hughes said Thursday.
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The health of the 35-year-old veteran is far from encouraging, said Hughes, who met with the media via video conference in connection with the takeover of striker Sean Monahan. He wouldn’t expect to see Price early in the season and at least in the early months of the campaign.
The British-Colombian’s name would also be on the long-term injury list until the start of the season. This operation would save the Canadian $10.5 million, leaving enough room for Monahan’s salary of $6.375 million.
The trade that sends Sean Monahan is possible because Carey Price’s name is on the long-term injured reserve. He is unlikely to play this season, which confirms his fears after the last game of the season. @CanadiensMTL @TVASports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) August 18, 2022
Price missed most of last season due to injuries and personal reasons, completing just five games in April. He went 1-4 with 3.63 goals against average and .878 save percentage. His last appearance in the blue, white and red uniform came in the final game of 2021-22, in a 10-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
A former recipient of the Hart, Vézina and Ted Lindsay trophies, Price received the Bill-Masterton at the end of the campaign for qualities such as endurance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.