Canadiens: Carey Price Has Started On-Ice Training Again

Shortly after the Canadiens’ win against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, the team gave fans a positive update regarding Carey Price’s rehabilitation.

Price has been trying to complete his rehabilitation since he got surgery for a torn meniscus last July 23rd. After multiple attempts at training harder, Price kept facing setbacks, including personal issues that eventually led him to enter the NHL substance abuse program in October.

His program was then halted again when a COVID-19 breakout hit the team which ultimately led to all training facilities to be shut down.

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Price has stated that he wants to remain a Montreal Canadien and hopes to be back as soon as possible.

Although seeing Price on the ice is positive news, it is possible that this can eventually lead to the news fans have been expecting for months now: Carey Price being shut down for the season. Despite the team’s successes under new head coach Martin St. Louis, the Canadiens are not going to make the playoffs and will be fighting for the highest spot possible in the lottery draft.

It’s important to note that it’s important for the team to do full medical examinations on all players prior to the off-season. If Price doesn’t return for the season and keeps up his rehabilitation during the summer, the Canadiens would be able to put his $10.5 million cap hit on Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) and use that extra cap hit in order to sign one of those star free agents we’ve been hearing about.

The same would have to apply to Shea Weber. Although he’s unofficially retired, Weber still has a valid NHL contract. Although his cap hit counts for $7,857,143 his actual salary is $6 million this year, $3 million next season and then $1 million annually until the end of the 2025-26 season. Don’t be shocked if the Canadiens trade Weber’s contract to a team that wants to hit the floor cap. The Arizona Coyotes would be one of the usual suspects to take such a contract.

Weber was recently in Nashville to celebrate the jersey retirement of his old teammate, goaltender Pekka Rinne. The crowd gave him a nice ovation in recognition for his time with the Predators.

As for Price, who will turn 35 this August, his contract also runs until the end of the 25-26 season at a $10.5 million annual cap hit. His actual salary is $2 million dollars with the exception of the 22-23 season where he will make $1 million. However, Price has a hefty annual signing bonus which runs at $11 million this season, $6.75 million in 22-23, $6.5 million in 23-24 and $5.5 million for the final two seasons of his contract. Price also holds a full no trade clause.